SONY BMG FILM LAUNCHES
WITH J. LO REGGAETON PROJECT

Sony BMG Music Entertainment CEO Andrew Lack is trying to pour some gasolina on his company's vaunted synergy, as his pet Sony BMG Film announced its first project will be Reggaeton in conjunction with Jennifer Lopez's Nuyorican Productions banner.

The screenplay was penned by Albert Leon and will be produced by Lopez and Simon Fields, with Sony BMG Film's Sofia Sondervan. The feature will be shot on location in New York and Puerto Rico with production expected to commence in Spring 2006.

Reggaeton tells the story of Rob, a talented 21-year-old from the South Bronx whose dreams of hip-hop stardom are dashed when a run-in with local thugs makes him flee the city to hide in Puerto Rico with the father he never knew. There he finds love with a street-savvy local girl, CC, and discovers a new genre of music called Reggaeton. Rob partners with his half brother, a DJ, and together they make groundbreaking strides and are poised to become Reggaeton stars. But, when a corrupt music producer "discovers" Rob and offers him a record deal that brings him and CC back to New York, a new conflict threatens his romance and his budding career. Sounds like a cross between The Harder They Come, which popularized reggae in this country, and Saturday Night Fever, which did the same for disco.

Sony BMG Film exec Sondervan calls Reggaeton “one of the most original scripts we've come across since we launched this division... We expect it will attract a top-notch director and cast.”

Lack added that the project is the perfect launch for his new division, which was established last August to "develop, finance, and produce music-related theatrical films... Reggaeton perfectly meets our mandate to develop features that create a compelling blend of music and film. In addition, all popcorn sales at theaters showing the movie will come with a free side of salsa.”

Said Lopez: “This script is a perfect fit for us because not only is it a compelling story with great characters, but it also combines two elements that are very close to my heart music and Puerto Rico. Not to mention the luscious craft services we'll have on the film set.”

“We are excited to be working with Sony BMG to bring this timely material to audiences,” added Fields. “The synergistic relationship of our two companies makes this a very strong and exciting project.”

Nuyorican's head of development Janet Sales brought the film to Sony BMG Film. The deal was negotiated by Sony BMG's Andrew Ross, Bob Wallerstein for Nuyorican Productions and Matt Leipzig and Jordan Bayer at Original Artists for writer Leon.

Sony BMG Music Entertainment has already been active in the Reggaeton area, with a roster that includes Voltio, Calle 13, Alexis y Fido, Zion y Lennox, John Eric and M.R.P. as well as a label deal with the highly influential Puerto Rican imprint, White Lion.

Lack also announced that plans are currently underway to record a Train's Greatest Hits in Reggaeton album.