I am truly captivated by the extraordinary journey of Efren Ramirez, an actor whose range is as vast as the American West itself. From Pedro in the iconic Napoleon Dynamite to the adrenaline-fueled antics of Crank, he has proven time and again that he can master any genre with ease.
It takes a lot of range to go from playing the quietly awkward Pedro in Napoleon Dynamite to getting ripped and donning drag to join Jason Statham in the loud, in-your-face film, Crank (more on that below). That’s Efren Ramirez for you, an underrated and dynamic actor who swings wildly from genre to genre. MovieWeb spoke with him about the new film Seven Cemeteries, which also runs the gamut in terms of genre and style. It’s a comedic Western horror film that sees him as a snarky undead companion to the one and only Danny Trejo, who plays Bruno, a hardcore but quirky antihero seeking a ragtag team to help him protect a woman’s prized ranch from villainous drug lords. Again, it’s a far cry from his iconic role in Napoleon Dynamite, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
As a cinema enthusiast, I firmly believe that “Napoleon” has been deeply engraved in the collective consciousness for the past two decades and remains relevant today. This is because we all find ourselves mirrored in its characters, as we’re all just trying to navigate life’s complexities, much like the protagonists in such a film.
“That thought makes me think of the concept of Seven Cemeteries, as it echoes the idea that life, whether lived or experienced through death, remains an enigma. This enigma serves as a bridge to self-discovery and understanding in relation to the world. If you embark on this journey, it leads to a more fulfilling life shared with others, rather than one spent alone. Napoleon Dynamite facilitates this by nurturing friendship between Napoleon and Pedro, where they mutually support each other and help make everyone’s dreams come true.
Crank 3 and Going on Tour for Napoleon Dynamite
Ramirez additionally discussed the delight of reassembling with his co-stars for a 20th anniversary celebration of the film Napoleon Dynamite, and their upcoming tour this year. “Being able to gather almost everyone at the Sundance Film Festival for the 20th anniversary was incredibly nostalgic,” Ramirez stated, “evoking a sense of joy and that special magic we experienced while working on it, unaware it would become such a success. We simply did what we enjoyed, and enjoyed what we did.” He further mentioned:
Whenever Jon Heder and Jon Gries and I embark on tours, we’re constantly reminded of the intrigue behind human behavior. It’s truly awe-inspiring to witness crowds of hundreds in theaters nationwide, all decked out as characters from our art. For me, it’s an affirmation that appreciating art and understanding humanity is what truly matters.
Movie enthusiasts may recall Ramirez from his memorable performances in the initial two “Crank” films alongside Jason Statham. In the sequel, he reprised his role as the brother of his original character. Since the release of “Crank 2”, fans have speculated about a possible third installment. As it turns out, Ramirez shared, “There were discussions about making a third movie“. “I’m not sure if I can disclose the details, but the storyline was quite thrilling.
Jason Statham and fellow director Brian Taylor have expressed a desire for making “Crank 3,” aiming to make it even more outrageous and unconventional compared to the initial two installments. In an interview with The Movie Crypt, Taylor stated:
“My feeling about Crank 3 is that Crank 3 should be as exponentially more f*cked up than Crank 2 as Crank 2 was to Crank 1. Obviously, there’s been talk here and there […] Obviously, there’s a great movie there somewhere. I don’t know if it’s going to be Jason Statham in a wheelchair, 40 years from now, but I think there should be a Crank cinematic universe. Not just one movie. So who knows? There’s nothing in the works right now. But you never know. Me and [co-director Mark Neveldine] are brothers for life.”
From Quiver Distribution, Seven Cemeteries is now available in theaters, on demand and on digital.
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2024-10-17 13:31