Dante Basco: Last News

Paramount and Nickelodeon have three animated Avatar films are in the works. Last month, Lauren Montgomery (Avatar: The Last Airbender) was announced as director on the untitled first installment. And today at Comic-Con, there was more news about the first film at the panel for Avatar: Braving the Elements, the rewatch podcast hosted by the franchise’s voice actors Janet Varney (Korra in The Legend of Korra) and Dante Basco (Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender). Varney, who was not there in person, made the announcement via a video that was played in the room.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefProduction is under way on “Asian Persuasion,” a feature film that marks the directorial debut of three-time Tony-Award and Grammy-winning producer Jhett Tolentino.Set in New York, romantic comedy “Asian Persuasion” features a diverse, primarily Asian cast and seeks to elevate, inform and inspire the Asian narrative.The story follows a down-on-his-luck chef who cooks up a crazy scheme to marry off his ex-wife in an attempt to avoid his substantial alimony obligations. With the help of his trusted wingman, the chef gets off to a hot start, but belatedly realizes he wants a second chance with his ex.Asian Persuasion is produced under the Jhett Tolentino Productions banner with Tolentino and screenwriter Mike Ang serving as producers.

Nickelodeon is bringing back Middlemost Post and Are You Afraid of the Dark for second and third seasons, respectively. It also renewed the Avatar: Braving the Elements podcast for a second go-around.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorTo many, Dante Basco is known as Rufio in Steven Spielberg’s “Hook.” Reality TV fans will remember him on “Hell’s Kitchen,” but over the years he has turned his hand to producing, directing and writing.In “The Fabulous Filipino Brothers,” out now on-demand, he directs and stars, along with his brothers Derek Basco, Dionysio Basco, and Darion Basco, in the film structured as a series of vignettes following four brothers as their Filipino American family prepares for the ultimate Filipino event: a wedding.As the narrative intercuts between the wedding celebration in Pittsburg, Calif., and the vignettes that focus individually on the four siblings during the buildup to the big event, Basco worked with fellow Filipino American cinematographer Andrea Walter to deliver his vision. Says Walter, “Dante and I decided we wanted to give a different look for each brother.

EXCLUSIVE: 1091 Pictures has scooped digital rights to actor Dante Basco’s (Hook) directorial debut, The Fabulous Filipino Brothers, with plans for a release across platforms on February 8, 2022.

Dino-Ray Ramos Associate Editor/ReporterThe Los Angeles-based East West Players, the nation’s first professional Asian American theatre organization, is teaming with musician AJ Rafael again for the holiday edition of Crazy Talented Asians, the ninth edition of the live show celebrating represenation of Asians in the arts. This year will feature performers  Isa Briones (Picard, Hamilton), Josh Dela Cruz (Blues Clues), Dante Basco (Hook, Avatar The Last Airbender), Deedee Magno Hall (Steven Universe, Mickey Mouse Club), among others.