Eugenio Derbez Planning First English-Language Directorial Debut
Eugenio Derbez, the renowned Mexican actor, producer, and director, made a significant impact at the Iberseries & Platino Industria event in Madrid, where he headlined three separate events. The chairman-co-founder of 3Pas Studios reflected on his illustrious career spanning three decades during his keynote address. He shared insights on breaking into Hollywood with his directorial debut film “No Instructions Included” and discussed his company’s strategy to adapt to the rapidly changing viewing habits of audiences.
Derbez, in collaboration with Ben Odell at 3Pas Studios, is exploring new digital formats while continuing to produce feature films and series. He expressed his interest in directing two upcoming projects in English, leaning towards a dramedy genre that blends comedy and drama seamlessly. Following the success of “Instructions Not Included,” Derbez recently directed episodes of the International Emmy-nominated series “They Came in at Night” for TelevisaUnivision’s streaming platform, ViX.
During his keynote address, Derbez acknowledged the importance of creating content with universal appeal for global audiences, especially with the rise of streaming platforms. He emphasized the significance of emotional storytelling in connecting with viewers, referencing popular titles like “Squid Game,” “Roma,” and “Parasite.” In navigating the Hollywood industry, Derbez shared his experience of reinventing himself to avoid being typecast in comedic roles, leading to opportunities in more dramatic projects like “Radical” and “Coda.”
Reflecting on the impact of artificial intelligence on the entertainment industry, Derbez highlighted the balance between technological advancements and human creativity in content creation. He also unveiled a new 3Pas-produced series in post-production, titled “El Juicio” (“The Trial”), starring alongside Pedro Alonso from “Money Heist.” The eight-episode series is based on a real-life case of sexual abuse uncovered by investigative journalist Leon Krauze and is set to premiere on Prime Video next year.
Additionally, Derbez presented Season 5 of “Derbez Family Vacation” (“De Viaje con los Derbez”), assuring fans that it won’t be the last installment. He shared how the reality show initially posed challenges for his family but ultimately strengthened their bond through setting boundaries and navigating the format effectively. Derbez’s diverse portfolio and commitment to storytelling continue to captivate audiences worldwide, cementing his status as a global entertainment icon.
