What does it take to beat a team of intergalactic superheroes? You may want to ask Eugenio Derbez, star of Pantelion Films’ How to Be a Latin Lover, which opened at number one in Mexico to an estimated $7 million (USD) topping Disney-Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. this weekend. The superhero franchise came in at number two with a debut of $2.5 million. Derbez’s hit comedy also made headlines in the US last week, when it opened in second place, beating out the anticipated book adaptation of the YA best seller, The Circle, led by powerhouses Tom Hanks and Emma Watson.
Derbez may want to get used to breaking records as his previous bilingual comedy, Instructions Not Included – which he starred in, wrote, and directed – set an opening-weekend record in Mexico of $11.6 million in 2013 and, at $44 million, is the highest-grossing Spanish-language movie ever released in the US.
In an interview promoting the comedy, Derbez told the LA Times that he’s, “realized that the only way to succeed is to employ yourself and give yourself opportunities.” The formula is definitely working for him. Already a Mexican icon, he is entering the US market at a time when the call for diversity and inclusion on on-screen is huge and there Derbez shows no signs of slowing down.
Next up, Derbez is co-starring with Anna Faris on Overboard, a remake of the 80s comedy that starred Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. And, because of the success of How to Be a Latin Lover, Pantelion renewed it’s first look deal with 3Pas Studios, which is co-owned by Derbez and former Pantelion president, Ben O’Dell.