Fresh off the success ofOverboard, Mexican superstarEugenio Derbezis finalizing a deal to play the villain in Paramount Players’ live-actionDora the Explorermovie, Collider has learned. Derbez will play a roguish explorer named Alejandro Gutierrez who ends up being the antagonist. We’re not sure if that’s treated as a reveal in the film, so we apologize in advance if we’re spoiling the Dora the Explorer movie here.
Additionally, Walden Media has joined the project as a co-financier and co-producer, according to sources.
Isabela Moner(Transformers: The Last Knight) will star as the titular teen, who heads out on an adventure with her best friend, Boots the monkey, and her cousin Diego. Besides Diego, expect the next casting announcements to concern Dora’s friends Sammy Moore and Randy Pang, as well as her parents.
James Bobin(The Muppets) is directing from a script byNick StollerandDanielle Sanchez-Witzel, and Paramount is slated to release the film on Aug 13, 2025. Production will start later this summer.
Dora the Exploreris based on the popular Nickelodeon children’s show, and Paramount Players has a mandate to leverage Viacom-owned properties for the big screen treatment. The studio is also developing a feature adaptation of the beloved Nick seriesAre You Afraid of the Dark?and also recently acquired the film rights to the popular toy Creepy Crawlers.
Derbez has developed a huge fanbase of late thanks to films likeInstructions Not Included(which grossed just under $100 million worldwide) andHow to Be a Latin Lover. He also appeared inGeostorm,Miracles from Heavenand Adam Sandler’s Netflix movieSandy Wexler. The actor will soon be seen in Disney’sThe Nutcracker and the Four Realms, as well as heard as a voice inThe Angry Birds Movie 2. As a producer, he’s also developing a Speedy Gonzales movie at Warner Bros. He’s represented by UTA.
