El Rey Network announced today that Alfred Molina (The Da Vinci Code, Spider-Man 2) has been cast as Andres Galan in the network’s upcoming “Matador,” set to premiere July 2014. Previously announced cast members include Gabriel Luna, Nicky Whelan and Neil Hopkins.
Created by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, and produced in association with K/O Paper Products, the writing/producing team behind “Sleepy Hollow,” “Fringe,” Star Trek and Transformers, “Matador” will feature Molina as Andrew Galan, a man who built his fortune in the telecom industry, but whose true passion is soccer. As owner of the ascendant LA Riot franchise, he is celebrated in both the sports and business worlds. There is, however, another world that he operates in — as a member of an elite group of powerful global players, ruthless individuals who can effect world events on a scale that one would never imagine. What Galan doesn’t know is that there is a mole in his midst. One of his new players, Tony Bravo, is actually an undercover operative, sent in to expose him and his cohorts. As Tony and Galan grow closer, the fate of their relationship may very well determine the fate of the world.
Irreverent and action-packed, “Matador” chronicles the unlikely rise of Antonio “Matador” Bravo, a popular soccer star, who comes to be known as much for his playboy antics off the field as his dynamic moves on it. But what his fans and family don’t realize is that it’s all a cover–in truth, he is a skilled covert operative executing missions for a little known branch of the CIA. “Matador” has the kind of fame and notoriety that affords him access to powerful circles of corruption and villainy. But, in balancing the dueling roles in which he’s been cast, he will be forced to confront the question of his true identity… and it is this mission which will prove to be his most dangerous.
Robert Rodriguez, El Rey Network’s chairman and founder, is set to direct the first episode which will be penned by showrunners, co-creators and executive producers Jay Beattie and Dan Dworkin.
“Matador” executive producers are Jay Beattie and Dan Dworkin, also showrunners, alongside executive producers Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Andrew Orci. Also joining as executive producers are Heather Kadin of K/O Paper Products; Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa.
