EXCLUSIVE: J.B. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Francesca Reale (Stranger Things) and newcomer Maria Mancuso will round out the cast of rom-com Música, directed and starring Rudy Mancuso for Amazon Studios and Wonderland Sound and Vision. The trio joined an ensemble that also included Camila Mendes of Riverdale, as previously announced.
The recently wrapped film follows a young man (Rudy Mancuso) distracted by music in his head, who must accept an uncertain future while balancing love, family, and Brazilian culture in Newark, New Jersey. The latest romance from Wonderland, amid its success with titles including Love Hard, Holidate, and Tall Girl, will eventually premiere on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Rudy Mancuso wrote the script with American Vandal’s Dan Lagana, and also composed the film’s original score and soundtrack, with McG and Mary Viola producing through their Wonderland Sound and Vision banner. The film was produced by John and Sam Shahidi of Shots Studios, as well as Lagana, Steven Bello of Wonderland, and Mendes, with Monib Abhat as co-producer.
Smoove is an Emmy-winning actor, writer, and comedian who is perhaps best known for his role as Leon on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm. He lent his voice to the Prime Video animated series Fairfax and was also seen on shows like Woke and Mapleworth Murders, among many others. His recent film awards include Spider-Man Far From Home and No Way Home, Jerrod Carmichael’s dark comedy On the Count of Three and John Turturro’s The Jesus Rolls. He will also soon be seen in Chris Spencer’s comedy Back on the Strip and the Netflix comedy series Blockbuster.
Reale played Hawkins coast guard Heather Holloway in the third season of Netflix’s Stranger Things and has also appeared in series like Netflix’s Haters Back Off! and the now defunct Wireless Quibi. His film credits include the comedy Jonah Feingold Dating & New York with Jaboukie Young-White and Natalie Dyer’s drama Yes, God, Yes with Stranger Things. She will also soon be seen in the September 17 drama, marking the feature directorial debut of actress Brittany Snow.
Maria Mancuso is the real mother of Rudy Mancuso, and will play his mother in Msica. When she appeared with her son on the 2016 YouTube feature The Keys of Christmas, her role as a speaker in her new film was her first.
Smoove was represented by UTA, JPLA Media, Rick Dorman at Authentic Talent and Literary Management and attorney Roger A. Pliakas; Reale by Gersh and Atlas Artists.
