Director Luis Manzo Prepares Project Where He Ventures into Writing

Director Luis Manzo, who since 2019 has participated in various productions with Televisa, most recently Los Hilos del Pasado by producer José Alberto “Güero” Castro, is about to present a project in which he debuts as a writer. It is a six-episode series that he wrote in 2024. “I would like to work on this a little more deeply,” Manzo told PRODU.

He indicated that he expects to have some of it ready between December of this year and January 2026. “To have at least an expanded version of a roadmap, with one completed episode, with very well-defined characters, and have it in two languages: Spanish and English,” he commented, adding that he is using artificial intelligence to assist with the translation.

He is also thinking about bringing it to the market with a good screenwriter. “I’m trying to find a good writer with wit for dialogue, which is where we have shortcomings. I’ve been looking for a director with enough energy to tackle a project like the one we’re envisioning,” he noted.

He believes it could be produced in Mexico, Miami, or Spain. “It’s a project that has structure, and with the experience I have, having learned from great actors, directors, and writers, I think it’s time to put it on the field. Let’s see what happens, how many goals I score or how many I’ll have on the field,” he joked.

Manzo recently joined the roster of talent represented by Palomera Group in Mexico.

“I decided to start working with Alejandra Palomera to expand my horizons, to gain more visibility. We are trying to start some partnership, a team to participate in other projects that are more appealing for the creative process. I love telenovelas; they are my professional mother, but I would like to venture perhaps into film, taking advantage that we’ve been here in Mexico for five years, that we are permanent residents, and that we are with Palomera, opening up a bit now since when I was with W Studios, which was my other parent unit, we didn’t align this year. So I want to take the opportunity to see where we can fit and where I have the option to choose, where my reflection has a little more weight,” he said.

He noted that the experience of working with Televisa and producer “Güero” Castro has been very important.

“I felt very comfortable with them. There’s nothing wrong with learning again from the parent company that makes the most important telenovelas and Spanish-language products in America. Being inside is important, and being with Güero is also very important. This doesn’t take away my love for W Studios,” he said.

Regarding his work with Palomera Group, he highlighted that he had always wanted to have a representation agent. “I believe a director should have an agent representing him because there are things that are handled through third parties, which allows one full independence to select projects. Her team is really generous, honest, and straightforward, which is extremely important in a professional partnership—the frankness is essential. So I think Alejandra Palomera has all those qualities that serve her both personally and professionally. I’m completely comfortable with them,” he said.

Manzo mentioned that he is visualizing several projects, “they are on the table; they haven’t fully taken shape yet, but they are quite advanced.” He couldn’t provide further details.

THE CURRENT MOMENT OF SPANISH-LANGUAGE FICTION

When asked about the current state of Spanish-language fiction, Manzo said that telenovelas will evolve, “the format needs to modernize. In fact, I think that’s what Carlos Bardasano, Patricio, and Güero are doing. There are several projects along those lines.”

He believes that the telenovela will not disappear but will need to improve, modernize, and explore new ways of portraying love. “I’m on board with that. My project goes in that direction. I believe that people working in TV, at decision-making levels, must be thinking about this because they can’t go back to the old schemes. We have to find ways to make our telenovelas remain attractive, bring viewers back, and establish a more constructive relationship. But it’s important that those who have the power to decide understand this,” Manzo stated.