Comedy ‘Villa Hollywood’ Underway In LA With Maria Russell, Rhonda Shear & Aniya Wayans In Acting Debut
Written by admin on September 5, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: Maria Russell (Jury Duty), Rhonda Shear (Up All Night), and Aniya Wayans have signed on to star in the comedy feature film, Villa Hollywood.
Actor Dylan Mooney (The Family Business) makes his directorial debut with a script penned by writer-actor Steve Sturla (Little Saigon), who also stars in the project.
Inspired by real events, Villa Hollywood follows a washed-up teen TV star stuck managing a Hollywood apartment building teeming with hustlers, has-beens, and ex-cons. With eviction on the horizon and his dignity circling the drain, a sudden shot at fame might be his way out — or will it be the final punchline?
The project is currently shooting on location in Los Angeles. Sturla and Mooney are producing under Palmo Entertainment and Laurel & Back Productions.
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Rounding out the ensemble cast are Fred Melamed (Barry), Angela Witherspoon (The Family Business), Mara Marini (The Maginot Line), Paul Witten (The Residence), Kim Cloutier (Shoresy), and ventriloquist Willie Tyler & Lester.
Wayans is daughter of actor and comedian Damon Wayans Jr and reality star Aja Metoyer, and granddaughter of Damon Wayans Sr. She has amassed a fanbase on social media and will now make her feature film debut in Villa Hollywood. She has a previous writing credit on 2025 CBS comedy series Poppa’s House.
“Being an African American and stepping into the director’s chair for the first time is both a dream realized and a powerful step forward in representation,” Mooney said. “I’m surrounded by an extraordinary and deeply diverse cast whose talent and dedication is truly inspiring. This incredible ensemble is breathing life into Steve Sturla’s hilarious and heartfelt script — we’re creating something really special.”
Maria Russell garnered attention recently for her role as the self-proclaimed boss babe ‘Inez De Leon’ alongside James Marsden in Amazon’s documentary-style comedy series Jury Duty. Shear is best known as the host of the 90’s late-night USA Network movie program, USA Up All Night, where she presented a mix of B-movies and humorous commentary.
Mooney is repped by Mavrick Artists Agency. Russell is repped by Metropolitan Talent Agency and Advanced Management. Shear is repped by Aligned Stars Agency.
