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EXCLUSIVE: Halo and Classified filmmaker Roel Reiné is set to direct American Smuggler, the upcoming action-drama starring 24, Major League and Far From Heaven actor Dennis Haysbert.

The film will chart the relentless hunt for Craig Petties, an American drug trafficker best known for the criminal empire he led in Memphis while operating in collaboration with Mexico’s infamous drug cartels. Haysbert will play a prominent CIA agent in the film. Filming is due to get underway this summer in New Mexico.

The project will hone in on the efforts of SEAL Team Six, Delta Force and the Mexican Marines, who painstakingly dismantled an international drug network that plagued communities across North America for decades. The story also brings to light the lesser-known tragedy of children forced to labor in El Chapo’s infamous tunnels, often losing their lives in collapses. Petties was sentenced to life in prison in 2013 at age 36 for his trafficking career and connection to multiple homicides.

The film is being written by Koji Steven Sakai (Skeletons in the Closet), Sam Wildhorse Bass of EuroAmerica Films and Tracy Matthews of Lion of Judah Productions. The screenplay will be based on Matthews’ experience as a civilian team leader during the operation.

Producers are David M. Matthews of Stone Gate Entertainment; Cheryl Martin and Troy Allen of CMA Entertainment; Jarnell Stokes, Isaiah Stokes, and Aisha Wynn of Stoked Bros Media; and Lion of Judah Productions. 

Haysbert shares executive producer credits with Geevani Singh and retired member of SEAL Team Six Don Mann. Former professional football player and Navy SEAL Damian Jackson will consult.

Haysbert is best known for portraying President David Palmer in hit series 24, for which he was Golden Globe nominated, baseball player Pedro Cerrano in the Major League film trilogy, and for his role in Todd Haynes’ acclaimed drama Far From Heaven.

Reiné began his directing career in the Netherlands, where he won the Dutch Academy Award for Best Director with his first theatrical feature, The Delivery. His credits include historical features Admiral and Redbad and TV series Halo, Marvel-Inhumans, and Wu Assassins. Most recently, Reiné directed the feature Classified starring Aaron Eckhart and Tim Roth.

https://deadline.com/2025/04/dennis-haysbert-movie-american-smuggler-director-roel-reine-1236376854/

In the Season 5 opener of the “Unofficial Official Story Podcast,” listeners embark on a rollicking and insightful adventure through the colorful world of sports, with a spotlight on the vibrant cultural identities of Asian athletes. The episode dives headfirst into the fascinating lives of sports superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Kobe Bryant, unraveling the quirky challenges and laugh-out-loud moments of cultural assimilation. With a delightful blend of personal tales and spirited historical debates, the hosts craft a lively tapestry of stories about race and identity in the sports arena. They hilariously ponder the legacy of baseball greats like Babe Ruth, playfully questioning his racial background, while offering whimsical reflections on the physical feats and perceptions of athletes. This episode is a delightful cocktail of comedy, sports history, and social commentary, serving up an engaging listen that flips the script, breaks the mold, and celebrates the kaleidoscope of stories in the world of athletics.

link

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Josh Edelman is an award winning comedian, filmmaker, producer, and magician. Find out more about him at his website: https://www.joshedelmancomedy.com/

RESEARCH

We do most of our research online… because why not? Here are the links we quoted from or used for background or inspiration.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Babe-Ruth

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babe_Ruth?form=MG0AV3

https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-gibson-s-stats-talent-transcend-even-his-own-legend

View at Medium.com

Was Babe Ruth Black?

Josh Gibson: The Epic, Painful Answer To “What If Babe Ruth Was Black?”

ABOUT US

What are “they” not telling us? We’ll find out, figure out, and, when all else fails, make up the missing pieces to some of the most scandalous, unexplained phenomena, and true crime affecting our world today. Join comedian Dwayne Perkins, writer Koji Steven Sakai, and comedian/actor/writer Cat Alvarado on The Unofficial Official Story Podcast every month, and by the end of each episode, we’ll tell you what’s really…maybe…happening. 

Website: http://unofficialofficialstory.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theunofficialofficialstorypod/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unoffoffstorypodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxGCoSTC0bmTk5GVFHP4l3w

CREDITS

The intro and outro song was created by Brian “Deep” Watters. You can hear his music at https://soundcloud.com/deepwatters.

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Cat Alvarado, Dwayne Perkins, and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai

You can read the whole article here.

Take a joyful stroll down memory lane with us as we look back at the most hilarious and thought-provoking moments of season four.

ABOUT US

What are “they” not telling us? We’ll find out, figure out, and, when all else fails, make up the missing pieces to some of the most scandalous, unexplained phenomena, and true crime affecting our world today. Join comedian Dwayne Perkins, writer Koji Steven Sakai, and comedian/actor/writer Cat Alvarado on The Unofficial Official Story Podcast every month, and by the end of each episode, we’ll tell you what’s really…maybe…happening.

Website: http://unofficialofficialstory.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theunofficialofficialstorypod/

X: https://twitter.com/TheUnofOfStory

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unoffoffstorypodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxGCoSTC0bmTk5GVFHP4l3w

CREDITS

The intro and outro song was created by Brian “Deep” Watters. You can hear his music at https://soundcloud.com/deepwatters.

Hosts: Cat Alvarado, Dwayne Perkins, and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai

Listen Here!

New Episode drops!

In this poignant episode of the Japanese America Podcast, hosts Koji and Michelle delve into the incredible story of Grace Obata-Amemiya, a Japanese American woman whose resilience during World War II serves as a testament to strength and hope. Grace’s journey from an aspiring public health nurse to enduring the hardships of the concentration camps highlights the often-overlooked contributions of Japanese American women during the war. Through personal anecdotes, Grace shares her unwavering positive outlook amidst adversity, embodying the philosophy of “shikata ga nai” or “it cannot be helped.” As the episode honors Women’s History Month, it pays tribute to the bravery of women who served in the Women’s Army Corps and Army Nurses Corps, while also weaving in moments of humor and gratitude. Join this heartfelt exploration of the enduring spirit of women who faced unimaginable challenges with grace and strength.

You can watch Grace’s public program here: https://youtu.be/wSD_1VuNeWI

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org. 

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum

In this engaging podcast episode, listeners are invited to explore the lighter side of dark themes with comedian Vanessa Graddick. The episode delves into humorous and unconventional survival strategies against serial killers, using comedic insights to tackle heavy topics such as Ted Bundy’s possible demonic influence and the societal pressures surrounding true crime. Through witty discussions, the Unofficial Official Story hosts and Vanessa navigate the absurdities of human behavior, crafting tales of vigilante justice and questioning the “white devil” mentality.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Vanessa Graddick is a Los Angeles-based comedian, actor, and writer who originally hails from the frozen tundra of St. Paul, MN. She has made appearances on television shows such as “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” “Live At Gotham,” “Comics Unleashed,” and more. Additionally, she has brought her comedic talents behind the scenes to various projects. These include her role as Lead Producer on the entertaining game show “Funny You Should Ask,” as Supervising Producer on “Ms. Pat Settles It,” and as a Producer on the Emmy-nominated “Justice for All with Judge Cristina Perez.” Vanessa is the co-creator and host of the podcast “What Don’t To Watch,” where she shares humorous insights on things to watch… or not. She continues to spread her comedic wisdom on stages across the United States and beyond.

RESEARCH

We do most of our research online… because why not? Here are the links we quoted from or used for background or inspiration.

https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1937349_1937350_1937464,00.html

https://www.biography.com/crime/ted-bundy

https://www.oxygen.com/martinis-murder/ted-bundy-why-did-he-kill-what-was-the-entity-he-talks-about

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shadow-boxing/201309/bundys-demon-part-i

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shadow-boxing/201309/bundys-demon-part-ii

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a27065967/ted-bundy-victims/

https://www.businessinsider.com/the-full-timeline-of-ted-bundys-murders-2019-2#from-the-span-of-january-to-july-1974-ted-bundy-is-believed-to-have-killed-8-women-in-seattle-4

ABOUT US

What are “they” not telling us? We’ll find out, figure out, and, when all else fails, make up the missing pieces to some of the most scandalous, unexplained phenomena, and true crime affecting our world today. Join comedian Dwayne Perkins, writer Koji Steven Sakai, and comedian/actor/writer Cat Alvarado on The Unofficial Official Story Podcast every month, and by the end of each episode, we’ll tell you what’s really…maybe…happening.

Website: http://unofficialofficialstory.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theunofficialofficialstorypod/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unoffoffstorypodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxGCoSTC0bmTk5GVFHP4l3w

CREDITS

The intro and outro song was created by Brian “Deep” Watters. You can hear his music at https://soundcloud.com/deepwatters.

Written by Violet Chen

Hosts: Cat Alvarado, Dwayne Perkins, and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai

In this engaging episode of the Japanese America podcast, hosts Michelle and Koji dive into the captivating world of Japanese stationery with special guest Mark Sakaguchi from Kinokuniya Bookstore and Yuri Aida from Design for America Inc. They explore the allure of Japanese pens, notebooks, and accessories, which have evolved from being perceived as cheap to becoming celebrated for their impeccable quality and craftsmanship. The episode offers insights into the cultural significance and growing popularity of Japanese stationery in the United States, highlighting unique products like washi tapes and the beloved Mitsubishi Jetstream pen. With an upcoming stationery festival in Santa Monica, listeners are invited to embrace the artful lifestyle inspired by these exquisite writing tools. Join Michelle, Koji, and their guests as they share personal stories, explore trends, and celebrate the meticulous art behind Japanese stationery.

Listen to the episode here

Buy it on Amazon here

Ever found yourself inexplicably drawn to an animated lioness or a buffoonish cartoon villain? Join Cat, Koji, and Dwayne as they hilariously confess their cartoon crushes and what they might reveal about our twisted psyches. Meanwhile, they unravel the mental health allegories of Winnie the Pooh, proving that even honey-loving bears have their quirks. Special guest Adam Yanzer chimes in with tales of wildfire survival, blending heartfelt stories with absurd diagnoses for our beloved childhood characters. Toss in some bizarre safety tips inspired by notorious criminals, and you’ve got a podcast episode that’s as unpredictable as Tigger on a sugar rush!

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Adam Yenser is a comedian and Emmy-winning writer. For ten years he wrote for The Ellen DeGeneres Show where he starred in the segments “Kevin the Cashier” and “Adam Investigates.” He has appeared on Conan, FOX Laughs, and Gutfeld!, was a freelance contributor to SNL’s Weekend Update, has written for The Oscars, and co-produced the web series “Laugh Lessons with Kevin Nealon.” Adam mixes sharp observational humor with a unique take on politics and has had sketches featured by Daily Wire and The Babylon Bee. He cohosts the Babylon Bee podcast as well as his own satirical YouTube show, The Cancelled

RESEARCH

We do most of our research online… because why not? Here are the links we quoted from or used for background or inspiration.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnie-the-Pooh

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allegory#:~:text=Allegory%20is%20the%20expression%20of,forms%20as%20fable%20and%20parable.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC80580/#:~:text=Pooh’s%20perseveration%20on%20food%20and,as%20having%20Very%20Little%20Brain.

ABOUT US

What are “they” not telling us? We’ll find out, figure out, and, when all else fails, make up the missing pieces to some of the most scandalous, unexplained phenomena, and true crime affecting our world today. Join comedian Dwayne Perkins, writer Koji Steven Sakai, and comedian/actor/writer Cat Alvarado on The Unofficial Official Story Podcast every month, and by the end of each episode, we’ll tell you what’s really…maybe…happening. 

Website: http://unofficialofficialstory.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theunofficialofficialstorypod/

X: https://twitter.com/TheUnofOfStory

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unoffoffstorypodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxGCoSTC0bmTk5GVFHP4l3w

CREDITS

The intro and outro song was created by Brian “Deep” Watters. You can hear his music at https://soundcloud.com/deepwatters.

Written by Aidan Fierro

Hosts: Cat Alvarado, Dwayne Perkins, and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai