Danny Trejo is a living legend by no stretch of the word. His story has inspired so many, and he’s been in more movies than your favorite actor, runs a successful taco business, and still maintains a down to Earth demeanor. Talking to Danny is like talking to an old friend.
We know, because we had the opportunity to chat with him about his new film, Seven Cemeteries, directed by John Gulager. Alongside Trejo, the movie stars Efren Ramirez, and Maria Canals-Barrera, combining an entertaining blend of action, comedy, and horror. If you would like, you can read the synopsis and view the trailer below!
A recent parolee (Danny Trejo) gets a Mexican witch (Maria Canals-Barrera) to resurrect his old posse so that they can help him save a woman’s ranch from a ruthless drug lord.
Horror Fuel: Hi, Danny! We wanted to talk about Seven Cemeteries!
Danny Trejo: It’s a lot of fun. It’s a perfect mix of horror, laughter, action, murder, zombies, it’s got the whole mix, and it’s done really well, so it’s a lot of fun.
What drew you to the project?
The fact that it was fun. I looked at it and thought, this is some fun shit, and love doing movies that people will have a good time at. So, no time for the tearjerkers. I want to laugh.
You play a parolee, fresh out of prison, and a witch resurrects your old crew. What was it like tapping into that, with your background of doing time in the past?
If you’ve lived it, you can do it. The first three years of my career I never had a shirt on. I was in the prison lifting weights, I was stabbing somebody, those were the positions I played, man. I thought it was cool.
The film was written and directed by John Gulager. So, what was it like working together?
He was awesome. He can dish it out and he can take it. That’s what’s cool. I kind of hate a director who you can’t fire back to. John was awesome.
Without spoiling anything, if you could tell people one thing about Seven Cemeteries, what would it be?
That zombies are real and they’re coming after ya! (Laughing.) No, you know what? It’s a fun movie. Whether you get scared, or not – there will be something you laugh at.
So, it has a little something for everybody?
Yeah!
Dude, you’re in everything, man. You’re everywhere. Did you think this would be your life?
I never thought I was getting out of prison. I was doing forever, and so by the grace of God… it was like okay, cool, they let me out, now let’s make the best of it.
Your story is such an inspiration to so many people. What’s something you would say to somebody going through it, if you could?
Find a mentor. Somebody who’s clean and sober, and then figure out how you want to do this. There’s meetings, and there’s places where people will take you under their wing and help you. That’s what it’s all about.
I know we don’t have a lot of time left, Danny, so is there anything upcoming that you’d like to mention?
Seven Cemeteries, of course, and then there’s another movie coming out called Gracie and Pedro: Pets to the Rescue where I play Laurence Fishbowl. It’s an animated film, I play a fish. (Laughing.) I’m the smart guy of the movie.
Danny, thanks so much for your time. Always a pleasure!
Be sure to check Danny out in Seven Cemeteries! Available now in theaters, on Digital, and On Demand, courtesy of Quiver Distribution!
