On behalf of myself, The Mena Massoud Network visitors, and the rest of Mena’s fans, I would like to wish him a very happy 33rd birthday! We all are wishing you a great year full of happiness, joy, love, luck, success, health and peace. And most importantly, thanks for being such an amazing person and inspiration to all of us.
If you’d like to wish Mena a special happy birthday wish let him know on his Instagram!
VARIETY – Press Play Films has revealed its latest project, “Spaceman,” a genre-bending feature that blends sci-fi, fantasy and coming-of-age elements.
The film, written and directed by emerging filmmaker Dan Abramovici, features a cast including Oscar winner J.K. Simmons (“Whiplash”), Mena Massoud (“Aladdin”) and Trevor Copp.
The story follows an artist’s journey to reclaim his lost creative passion. Copp stars as the titular Spaceman, who must confront his imposter syndrome (played by Simmons) and team up with his passion (Massoud) to rediscover himself. The narrative explores themes of identity, artistic expression and mental health.
“Spaceman” aims to combine classic Hollywood techniques reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton with cutting-edge practical effects and hopes to draw comparisons to the work of Michel Gondry and Baz Luhrmann with its approach. It employs an array of techniques, including mime, stop motion, classic animation and theatrical elements.
The film builds on Abramovici’s previous work, including the Oscar-qualifying short “Play It Again,” which won best short at the 2021 Austin Film Festival. His upcoming feature, “Searching for Marceau,” has already garnered attention in various screenwriting competitions.
Abramovici, who began his career as an actor appearing in projects like Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” and CBS’s “Star Trek Discovery,” brings his experience as an immigrant to Canada to the film. “My hope is to blur the lines between the tangible and the ephemeral,” he said. “By delving into Spaceman’s subconscious, we are able to explore the cathartic nature of artistic creation.”
“Spaceman” is produced by Mashayekhi, Massoud, and Abramovici under the Press Play Productions banner. The company, co-founded by Massoud, aims to address the growing need for diverse stories, particularly from the MENA region. Its slate was revealed by Variety.
Producer Mashayekhi, who has over 85 films to his credit, said: “’Spaceman’ is a unique film in many ways, including it being highly commercially viable while staying true to its artistic integrity. It’s a movie that audiences all over the world will relate to on so many levels.”
Simmons is repped by Gersh and Massoud by LINK Entertainment, Gersh and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller & Hoberman.
DEADLINE – EXCLUSIVE: Mena Massoud (Aladdin) and Sarah Jeffery (Charmed) have signed on to star in Tecie, the first narrative feature from Moby‘s Little Walnut Productions.
The pair star as Tecie and Devon, respectively, a pair of animal advocates who cross paths in the Los Angeles activism scene. The lovers live by their principles and suffer tragedy as a result.
Mark Webber will direct from a script by Moby, with production to kick off in Los Angeles later this summer. In addition to producing alongside Lindsay Hicks, Webber and Teresa Palmer, Moby will provide the film’s original score.Said Massoud in a statement to Deadline, “I’ve been blessed to be able to dive into the independent film scene the past few years and the team Moby has put together for Tecie is special. I’m grateful that I get to work with a truly passionate artist and filmmaker in Mark Webber and help tell a story that’s really close to all our hearts.”
Added Jeffery, “As an actor, it feels like a gold mine when you can speak on subjects you are personally devoted to through your work. We hope to compassionately portray incredibly difficult subject matter through our film. This is a world I’ve never seen depicted and it’s an honor to be on the team bringing it to life.”
Best known for starring in Disney’s 2019 live-action remake of Aladdin, Massoud has also been seen in films like Hotel for the Holidays and The Royal Treatment, along with such series as Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and Reprisal. Recently, he has been working on his passion project as the executive producer and host of the Canadian TV series Evolving Vegan.
Jeffery starred on The CW’s reboot of Charmed and boasts additional TV credits including Shades of Blue, Rogue and Wayward Pines. Up next, she’ll be seen starring alongside Kerry Washington and Susan Sarandon in Tyler Perry’s Netflix pic Six Triple Eight.
Webber has starred in most of his past features, including the Tribeca fantasy The Place of No Words, SXSW drama Flesh and Blood, The Ever After, and The End of Love. Previously, he also wrote and directed the SXSW prize-winner Explicit Ills. As an actor, Webber is also known for his work in Showtime’s SMILF, Gus Van Sant’s Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot, Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and more.
A six-time Grammy-nominated musical artist, Moby directed the music doc Punk Rock Vegan Movie, which premiered at Slamdance last year. Previously co-writing, appearing in and exec producing the documentary Moby Doc, he’s also exec produced indie titles like Rowdy Girl, Milked and Meat the Future. As an actor, he’s appeared in Starz’s Blunt Talk, Showtime’s Twin Peaks, and more.
Massoud is represented by Gersh, Link Entertainment, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; Jeffery by Alchemy Entertainment, Play Management, and Ziffren Brittenham; Webber by Nathan Culliver Management and Schreck Rose Dapello; and Moby by MCT Management.
All screen captures from season 2 of Evolving Vegan have finally been added into the photo gallery!
