The movie about the Latino man behind the top-selling snack Flamin’ Cheetos has completed principal photography, according to Searchlight Pictures. The film marks Eva Longoria’s feature directorial debut.
Produced by DeVon Franklin for Franklin Entertainment with a script by Lewis Colick (October Sky) and Linda Yvette Chávez (Gentefied), Flamin’ Hot is the inspiring story of Richard Montañez, the Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to turn the iconic Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into a snack that disrupted the food industry and became a global pop culture phenomenon.
The inspiring movie features a cast of Hollywood veterans, rising stars and newcomers.
Actors Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera) and Annie Gonzalez (Gentefied) headline the cast as Richard and Judy Montañez.
The indie film Quinceañera, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, set Garcia’s Hollywood career in motion, leading to his first major leading role in a film. His credits include Narcos: Mexico and From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.
A self-identifying Chicana, Gonzalez is best known for her role as the fiercely intelligent and beautiful Linda Solis in Netflix’s Gentefied. Most recently, she was cast in the ABC pilot Bucktown. The actress was also one of the original dancers on Jamm X Kids on the WB.
SUPPORTING CAST
Rounding out the ensemble of stage and screen actors are Dennis Haysbert (Far From Heaven), Emilio Rivera (Venom), Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Matt Walsh (Veep), Pepe Serna (Scarface), Bobby Soto (Narcos), Jimmy Gonzales (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It), and TikTok child star Brice Gonzalez.
Haysbert is cast as Clarence Baker. In addition to the Oscar-nominated Far From Heaven, he has appeared in various other film and TV projects like Love Field, Absolute Power, Major League, Heat and Waiting to Exhale. He is known for his television work on the series 24. He has been the spokesperson for Allstate since 2003.
Rivera, who plays Vacho Montañez, has been featured in notable films such as Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic, David Ayer’s Street Kings and Michael Mann’s Collateral. He can be seen in F. Gary Gray’s A Man Apart and the blockbuster film Venom. Rivera is perhaps best known for playing the starring role of Marcus Alvarez on FX’s Sons of Anarchy and its spin-off, Mayans M.C.
Shalhoub, in the role of Roger Enrico, is a celebrated actor of stage, screen and television who has starred in award-winning TV series such as Monk, Wings and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and films like Galaxy Quest, Men in Black, Barton Fink, The Man Who Wasn’t There and The Siege. He has won four Primetime Emmys, six Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe and a Tony for his stage work in The Band’s Visit.
Walsh, cast as Lonny Mason, starred in HBO’s award-winning comedy series Veep, for which he received two Primetime Emmy nominations. He can also be heard opposite Kevin Bacon on the scripted comedy podcast The Last Degree of Kevin Bacon. Walsh is a founding member of the Upright Citizens Brigade. In addition to his film and TV work, he is a founder of Gender Nation, an organization that empowers children through access to stories that demonstrate all genders and sexualities.
Pepe Serna, whose character is Abuelito, has worked in many film and television roles for over 30 years in the business, including iconic movies as Scarface, American Me and Silverado, and the TV series The Rockford Files, Kojak, CHiPs, Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice and Cagney & Lacey.
Bobby Soto, playing Tony Romero, just finished shooting the upcoming season of Netflix’s Narcos, created and developed by Jose Padilha and Eric Newman. Most recently, he was seen in The Quarry, opposite Michael Shannon and Shea Whigham. Additionally, Bobby played the lead of David Ayer’s film The Tax Collector.
Gonzales is cast as Hector Morales. He can be seen starring opposite Dennis Quaid in Netflix’s Blue Miracle and as a recurring guest star on FX’s Mayans M.C. Other TV credits include roles on AMC’s Lodge 49 and The Walking Dead, The CW’s Containment, NBC’s Game of Silence and David E. Kelley’s Mr. Mercedes. Recent feature film credits include supporting roles in Godzilla: King of Monsters.
And newcomer child actor Gonzalez, who plays little Steven Montañez, is a 6-year-old social media sensation. He and his father Randy Gonzalez are collectively known as the Enkyboys on TikTok and Instagram. The duo does lip-sync recreations of famous movie scenes, viral dances and comedy skits that have garnered over 10 million followers.
Also joining the cast are Vanessa Martinez (Warrior), Fabian Alomar (Cholos Try), Mario Ponce (Cholos Try) and Hunter Jones (Gotham). Production recently wrapped in New Mexico.
Martinez, who plays Concha Montañez, has appeared in several films including Warrior, McFarland, USA and Lone Star, as well as the series Dirty John, The Rookie and 9-1-1.
Alomar, in the role of Pablito, appears as himself in the hit Mitu series Cholos Try. He has also been featured in the series Mayans M.C., Joy and Southland.
Ponce, whose character is Diego, also appears as himself in the hit Mitu series Cholos Try. Other credits include the series Gentefied and How to Be Broke.
And Jones is Lucky Montañez in Flamin’ Hot. He has appeared on shows including Gotham, Chicago P.D. and Manifest.
“I’m so honored to have led this team in telling a beautiful story where people can see themselves in these characters and are inspired by the endless beauty and talent that is so rich in our community,” said Longoria. “Every day we were on set, I was reminded again and again by our amazing cast and crew that our community is smart, creative, and endlessly talented.”
‘A STORY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP’
“Eva and DeVon came to Searchlight with a powerhouse pitch, a singular vision, and a deep passion for this exhilarating story of entrepreneurship,” said Searchlight Pictures’ Presidents Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum in a joint statement. “We are thrilled to bring this film to audiences everywhere.”
‘AGAINST ALL ODDS’
“From the moment I found Richard Montañez’s story, I was inspired by his sheer determination to succeed against all odds,” said Franklin. “I’m equally inspired by our cast, crew and visionary director Eva Longoria’s unwavering commitment to bring the production of his amazing story to life.”
Longoria and Franklin’s crew include Director of Photography Federico Cantini (Give or Take), Casting Director Carla Hool (Narcos), Production Designers Brandon Mendez (Black Is King) and Cabot McMullen (Super Troopers 2), Costume Designer Elaine Montalvo (A Better Life) and Editor Liza D. Espinas (Vida).
Flamin’ Hot is overseen by Searchlight Pictures’ Senior Vice President Production Taylor Friedman and Director of Development Zahra Phillips.