Gael Garcia Bernal Discusses Starring In Wrestling Biopic Cassandro

Gael Garcia Bernal stars as the famous exotico Cassandro in a new film about the wrestler’s life, and he recently discussed taking on the role and more. Cassandro had its premiere at Sundance over the weekend and stars Bernal as Saúl Armendáriz, best known by his ring name of Cassandro. The Werewolf By Night star spoke with Deadline about starring in the film, and you can see some highlights below:

On working with El Hijo del Santo in the film: “As it is in the movie, they say he is the son of the legend. You know, the inheritor of the mask. El Santo, his father, was a huge influential person in the Spanish speaking world in the 20th century. I mean, he kind of brought this sport to a more mythological place of fascination and of creating community as well. And also gave a really good name and reputation for the wrestlers as well as people that are very strong athletes and very dedicated.

“And that’s something that we wanted to portray as well. We didn’t want to portray like, a kind of downgraded sport that is made fun [of]. We wanted to make something very joyful, but also respecting the professionalism of the wrestlers. And because Cassandro also gained a lot of notoriety because he was such a good wrestler as well, that was the other thing. He was not only the character, he was a very good wrestler, very respected and very strong as well.”

On working with El Hijo Del Santo in the film: “He knew Cassandro because [Cassandro] fought with El Hijo Del Santo. And it was just amazing that he was going to do the stunts. He was going to play himself, and he’s — we don’t know his age, we don’t know his face, but he’s older. [laughs] And it was great to be with him, and almost like a dream of childhood, like, ‘I’m wrestling El Hijo del Santo, I can’t believe this.’ This is what I used to play with my friends. Everyone chose El Santo or Blue Demon or all these wrestlers as kids. So it was great.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Deadline with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.

Gael García Bernal talks about playing a wrestler in his new film ‘Cassandro’: “We didn't want to portray a kind of downgraded sport…respecting the professionalism of wrestlers” #Sundance pic.twitter.com/fXGP3ZVATD

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 22, 2023