Mexican Star Eugenio Derbez Expands Global Reach, Embraces Streaming

Mexican actor, director, and producer Eugenio Derbez, the chairman and co-founder of 3Pas Studios, recently took the stage at the Iberseries & Platino Industria event in Madrid to share insights into his storied career and his company's plans for the future.

In his keynote address, Derbez reflected on his three decades in the industry, recounting how he broke into Hollywood with his directorial debut feature "No Instructions Included." He acknowledged that his brand of humor did not initially travel well beyond Mexico's borders, but now, with the rise of global streaming platforms, he is focused on creating content with broader, universal appeal.

Derbez and his partner Ben Odell at 3Pas Studios are pivoting towards working with new digital formats to keep up with changing viewing habits. However, they also plan to continue producing feature films and series, including a dramatic 8-episode series titled "El Juicio" (The Trial), which is currently in post-production and will likely start streaming on Prime Video next year.

Looking ahead, Derbez is eyeing two possible English-language projects to direct, stating that he is "gravitating towards making a dramedy" as he believes comedy and drama are inseparable. This shift reflects his efforts to reinvent himself and avoid being typecast in comedic roles, a challenge he faced earlier in his career.

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, Derbez remains optimistic about the potential of emerging technologies, such as AI, to enhance the filmmaking process, while cautioning that these tools must be used judiciously to preserve the "soul" of human-made content.