Where in the world is Gina Rodriguez? Everywhere. Per The Tracking Board, the “Jane the Virgin” star will voice the titular character in Netflix’s animated series “Carmen Sandiego.” She is also in talks to lead two movies: Sony’s Catherine Hardwicke-directed “Miss Bala” and 20th Century Fox’s Ryan Case-helmed “Fire Me.”
“Carmen Sandiego” is a new iteration of the beloved ’90s video game “Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?” and the subsequent TV series starring Lynne Thigpen (“L.A. Law,” “Homicide”). The Tracking Board writes that Netflix has given a 20-episode order to the series about the globetrotting thief, which “aims to be as educational as it is entertaining.”
As for the film negotiations, Rodriguez might have to choose between “Miss Bala” and “Fire Me,” as the projects are currently scheduled to film around the same time. “Sony sees ‘Miss Bala’ as a potential franchise starter, which could give it an edge,” the source details.
As previously reported, Hardwicke’s “Miss Bala” is a remake of Gerardo Naranjo’s 2011 drama about a kidnapped beauty pageant contestant. Rodriguez would play Gloria Meyer, “who finds herself a pawn, after her friend Suzu goes missing in Tijuana, in a dangerous game being played by the CIA, the DEA and a charismatic young crime boss.”
“Fire Me” is a “9 to 5”-esque comedy based on a Libby Malin novel. Case (“Modern Family,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) will direct and Red Hour Films is producing. According to the book’s synopsis, “Fire Me” revolves around Anne Wyatt. “[She] goes to work one day determined to resign. But that’s the day her boss announces someone’s getting laid off (and with a generous severance package). Now Anne has one day to ruin her career.”
“Carmen Sandiego” and the two potential movies are just the tip of the iceberg for Rodriguez. The Golden Globe winner has a bunch of other projects in the works, such as executive producing a bullying drama for Hulu. Based on Meg Medina’s YA book “Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass,” the series “tells the story of a diverse, vibrant Brooklyn community confronting bullying, racial tensions, and questions of identity.”
Also on Rodriguez’s docket are a multi-year deal between CBS and her I Can and I Will Productions banner, a book about her father’s advice, and a potential adaptation of the German series “Dr. Illegal.” Rodriguez’s upcoming films include romantic comedy “Sharon 1.2.3.,” sci-fi thriller “Annihilation,” and animated movies “Ferdinand,” and “The Star.”
