Sometimes an Oscar nomination (or more importantly a win) bumps you into a higher echelon, with more prestige style scripts crossing your desk and doors opening where they were closed. Or, it doesn't. And though he earned a well deserved Oscar nod for his turn in "A Better Life," Demian Birchir's next couple of projects likely won't find him returning to the Kodak Theater Dolby Theater anytime soon.
Variety reports that Robert Rodriguez continues to cast up "Machete Kills" adding Bichir to a cast that now includes Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez and Mel Gibson with a bunch more people who will probably be returning from "Machete." As you already know, the plot will center on our hero tracking down an arms dealer billionaire (Gibson) who plans to launch a missle to start a worldwide war. No word yet on Bichir's role, but we presume we'll find out more as the picture gears up to get in front of cameras soon.
But more promising and exciting is that William Friedkin looks to be gearing up his next effort, and Bichir will take the lead. Titled "Trapped," there are basically zero details on this but if it's anywhere near the brilliance of "Killer Joe"or "Bug," which have seen the director at his most invigorated in a long, long time, we're definitely on board. Filming on that will kick off in 2013.
And while those projects get moving, you won't have to wait long to see Bichir back on the big screen. He'll feature this summer in Oliver Stone's pulpy "Savages" playing a double-crossing lawyer who works for the Mexican cartel run by Salma Hayek. Bichir was apparently also being eyed by J.J. Abrams at one point for the villain in "Star Trek 2" but the actor actually chose to do a play with his brother instead, something he had already delayed doing so he could star in "A Better Life." Sounds like a stand up dude.