Young star in 3-picture deal with Sony
“Safety never takes a holiday.” – Paul Blart: Mall Cop Tagline
IMTA alum Raini Rodriguez stars in the Columbia Pictures’ comedy feature film Paul Blart: Mall Cop opening Friday, January 16. In the Steve Carr directed film, Rodriguez plays Maya Blart, daughter of Paul Blart (Kevin James), a single, suburban dad trying to make ends meet as a security officer at a New Jersey mall. When he rescues his daughter Maya and a Mall worker from a group of organized crooks, he finally gets the respect he deserves. James and Nick Bakay penned the screenplay for the Die Hard parody.Rodriguez competed at IMTA in 2005 and took first place in monologue and commercial print competitions for her age group and was a finalist for Young Miss Actor of the year. She appeared in the short film Parker, and on television in “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” “Family of the Year,” “Huff,” “Black Shadows,” and lent her voice to the animated Disney children's show “Handy Manny.” According to her manager, Susan Osser, Rodriguez has signed a 3-picture deal with Sony Pictures. As part of that deal, Rodriguez is booked to film the role of Young Tatiana in Gordita Bonita. No release date has been scheduled.Raini is not the only talent in the Rodriguez family. She shared the screen in 2008 with her brother Rico in the Society Entertainment feature The No Sit List. Rico recently completed filming a role in Opposite Day with Pauly Shore
and French Stewart, and appeared in a recent episode of “NCIS.”