He’s known for playing insanely good villains, but now, Danny Trejo is taking on a new role: promoter of Edmonton’s movie industry.
Trejo is in the Capital Region filming a romantic comedy called #Roxy. Edmonton-based Mosaic Entertainment is currently filming the movie in Edmonton and St. Albert.
READ MORE: Edmonton hopes proposed screen industries office will attract more film production
However, this isn’t his first time in town.
“I actually did an autograph signing a while back, a big autograph signing. I liked it here. Everyone was really friendly… It was a lot of fun just signing autographs and seeing people.”
The city made such an impact on Trejo, he’s suggesting it be the location of an upcoming project he’s working on.
“The crew here is great, the one that we’re working with on #Roxy, is great. Producers are great. I’ve got another producer, Rocky, who wants to do another film, so sure, we’re in the process of putting that together I think possibly for Edmonton.”
READ MORE: City looks for suggestions on how to better promote Edmonton’s TV and film productions
Edmonton has been without a film commissioner for more than a year, something the mayor said has been a barrier for the city when it comes to “taking advantage of Canada’s re-emergence as a player in the screen industry.”
Recently, a plan was proposed to city council to bring all of Edmonton’s multimedia companies together by establishing a screen industries office. It would promote film, television and video games, and ideally attract more production here.
Trejo feels Edmonton will become a media hub, if it isn’t already.
“Absolutely. I see no reason why not.”
“It’s like you’ve already got it,” Trejo said. “The community is already movie friendly. They’re really…it’s just pleasant.”
READ MORE: City, local producers hope to boost Edmonton’s TV and film industry
Trejo admits he usually plays a “good bad guy,” but fans shouldn’t shy away from approaching him if they see him in and around Edmonton this month.
“Every morning when I wake up I pray: ‘let me sign every autograph, let me take every picture,’ because that means I’m doing a good job,” he said.
“I love what I do and I get to do what I love.”
Watch below: Danny Trejo praises Edmonton film industry