By james art 
Finally, some good news for Puerto Rico: The Jennifer Lopez– produced Bob the Builder animated film is moving forward at Amazon MGM Studios, and after Donald Trump’s 2017 paper towel stunt in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and Tony Hinchcliffe’s more recent sick joke about the island, the film promises to shine a more positive light on the territory of USA.
Deadline says the film will star Anthony Ramos (Twisters, Hamilton) as Roberto, or Bob, and it was Ramos’ idea to set the film, based on the popular children’s TV show, in Puerto Rico. Ramos is Puerto Rican-American, as is Lopez, whose Nuyorican Productions and animation studio ShadowMachine won an intense bidding war involving Netflix and Dreamworks for the Mattel property.
Ramos, who will also co-produce, hopes that Bob’s tagline, “Yes, We Can,” which translates to “Si se puede” in Spanish, will send a positive message about Puerto Rico and Latino culture. Felipe Vargas (Rosario) will write the script. “For years, Bob the BuilderThe heroes of have inspired young people around the world,” said Ramos Diversity.
He added: “A film about friends working together, a celebration of a beautiful home they share and how love can help overcome any obstacle in your path. Can we fix it? Yes we can!’
Puerto Ricans and the 2024 Election
Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, killing about 3,000 Puerto Ricans, according to CBS News, and leaving thousands more without power and vital supplies for weeks. Amid frustration over the federal government’s slow response, then-President Trump visited the island that year and was criticized for throwing paper towels at the crowd, hoping for more substantial support. Some eight years later, relations between Trump and Puerto Rico remain volatile when comedian Tony Hinchcliffe called the island a “pile of trash” at a Trump campaign rally in Madison Square Garden.
After Hinchcliffe’s joke, Ramos voiced an ad campaign in support of Harris-Waltz, urging Puerto Ricans and Latinos in general to “decide this election” for Democrats and “say no to the politics of hate and division.” Ramos also endorsed Harris-Waltz on the Pennsylvania campaign trail.
“It wasn’t just Puerto Ricans who were offended that day,” Lopez said
Lopez also, along with many other famous Puerto Ricans and those of Puerto Rican descent such as Bad Bunny, Aubrey Plaza and Ricky Martin, took offense to Hinchcliffe’s words and the Trump campaign’s continued demonization of Hispanic culture and immigrants, saying at a Harris campaign rally , “At Madison Square Garden, he reminded us who he really is and how he really feels,” referring to Trump. J-Lo continued, “Puerto Ricans weren’t the only ones offended that day. It was every Latino in this country. It was humanity and anyone of decent character.
It is not clear when to expect Lopez and Ramos Bob the Builder adaptation or if it will premiere in theaters or air on Prime. Next up is Mattel’s Barbie hit, and Bob has been a beloved character for preschoolers and their families for decades, so it promises to do well no matter where he ends up.
Lopez and Ramos have so far not commented on their decision to set the film in Puerto Rico in the context of the current political climate in the US. But at least one comment on social media noticed the timing: “I wonder what Tony [Hinchcliffe’s] The Letterboxd review is going to be like,” which, if you ask us, is a much better joke than the Texas Roast comic said at MSG.
The best holiday finds to shop this week
| photo | Title | Price | Buy it |
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All-New Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) – Our Fastest Kindle with Auto-Adjusting Front Light, Wireless Charging, and Weeks of Battery Life – Metallic Black | $199.99 |  |
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MAGNA-TILES Builder XL 50-piece magnetic builder, the original magnetic building brand | $99.99 | |
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Ekouaer Matching Christmas Pajamas For Family Soft Holiday Holiday Christmas Pajamas Long Sleeve Pjs Sleepwear Jammies With Pockets | $39.95 | |
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T-fal Infrared Air Fryer, Premium Infra-heat Technology, 7 in 1, Extra Crisp, Quick Heat, 6.3 Quart, 1550W, Digital Touch Screen, Black | $129.99 | |
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Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 42mm] with black aluminum case with black sports band – S/M. Fitness tracker, ECG app, Always-On Retina Display, Water resistant with AppleCare+ (2 years) | $446.00 | |
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YZS Sausage Board Set, Cheese Board and Knife Set with Cheese Tray, Large Bamboo Cheese and Meat Platter – Gift for Women, Couples Wedding Anniversary, Housekeeping | $41.99 | |