Social media meets cinematic spectacle with the upcoming release of Diablo, an adrenaline-fueled action film hitting theaters and digital platforms on June 13th, courtesy of Lionsgate and Grindstone Entertainment Group.
Executive produced by influencer-turned-industry-disruptor Francisco Carrillo—aka @Kennalovescisco—and creator-centric agency Highlightstar, the film is a bold entry into the modern studio playbook.
Diablo marks the third feature launch from Highlightstar and its most ambitious yet, blending the high-octane talents of Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Juan Camilo Castillo, Lucho Velasco, and Alanna De La Rossa, with Ernesto Diaz Espinoza at the helm.
Social Power Behind the Screen
Carrillo, known for his viral content and massive following as CiscoKid, steps into the executive producer role for the first time—backed by Highlightstar CEO Bill Shadorf, who calls Diablo a defining moment: “Francisco brings a visionary edge that blends digital storytelling with cinematic punch. Diablo isn’t just a movie—it’s a signpost for where the entertainment industry is heading.”
A special screening will be held June 12 in Los Angeles with cast and creatives in attendance. De La Rossa, who also headlines in Highlightstar’s Dominique, joins the team once again for what insiders call a breakout performance.
Plot & Punch
The story centers on a recently released ex-con who takes a gangster’s daughter hostage, only to find himself in a brutal cat-and-mouse game with a revenge-obsessed killer named El Corvo (Zaror). Packed with visceral fight choreography and nail-biting suspense, the film is a return to gritty, character-driven action. Watch the trailer below:
Industry Disruption in Action
Highlightstar’s emergence as a creator-driven powerhouse isn’t by accident. Shadorf, a vocal advocate for digital-first producers, believes Diablo represents a seismic shift: “The upcoming release embodies our vision and brings us closer to the culmination and mission of Diablo with chart-specific digital goals. For the past six years, Highlightstar has led transformative change in the industry, and Diablo marks our third feature film launch in just three years. However, this one is the most significant yet. This project is not just a great movie; it aligns perfectly with our future aspirations as content creators are revolutionizing the landscape.”
He adds, “Highlightstar sees a big sector of content creators as the new Hollywood studios starting to recognize the monetization value of our relentless vision. Our ideas were considered outlandish six years ago, but now the industry is shifting and recognizing the future.”
From legacy post-production to creator-powered storytelling, Diablo is where old-school craft meets new-school hustle.
Produced by Adkins, Craig Baumgarten, Clay Epstein, Jason Gurvitz, and Alvaro Gutierrez, and co-written by Mat Sansom, Adkins, Zaror, and Espinoza, Diablo is primed to raise the stakes on what an action movie backed by social influence can look like.
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