Latino Action Star, 82, Pleads Ignorance on Role in Pro-ICE Movie
David McNew / REUTERS/David McNew Danny Trejo is stuck acting in Ben Shapiro’s pro-ICE movie , his son claims, having known nothing about the MAGA political commentator before signing on to his production company’s project.
The 82-year-old Latino legend, who has acted in hundreds of movies and popular film franchises including Spy Kids and Machete , stars in Shapiro’s Pawn Shop, the latest unhinged media project from the MAGA fanatic.
The film champions immigration enforcement officers saving lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This outrageous premise comes months after the tragic deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of ICE agents in Minnesota.
The project allegedly “dramatizes” Good’s death.
In response, there were widespread protests and a temporary suspension of production in Livingston.
Outrage over the film quickly reached Trejo, who stars alongside actor Harvey Keitel.
Trejo’s son, Gilbert Trejo, has now responded with a lengthy statement explaining his father’s uninformed decision.
On Instagram, Gilbert said his father had “never heard of Ben Shapiro” until two weeks into production.
Gilbert said his father’s agent sold the film as “a complicated story about a complicated time, where everyone looks bad except you, the hardworking Mexican shop owner who just wants peace,” and that his father “jumped at the idea of playing a good guy.” Shapiro’s production company, The Daily Wire, is producing the film, alongside producer Dallas Sonnier’s Bonfire Films.
But Gilbert says his father didn’t know Shapiro was involved.
“My 82 year old dad has never heard of Ben Shapiro, I had to explain to him who that is, and what kind of guy he is,” said Gilbert.
“My dad contractually can’t badmouth him, the film, or walk away without being sued for breach of contract.
He couldn’t even release the statement he wanted to.” Trejo’s son said the situation is “f---ed up.” “He’s handcuffed to this stupid project, and swaths of people have instantly turned their back on him without knowing any of the facts,” wrote Gilbert.
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