Mexican Comedian Omar Chaparro on His U.S. Film Debut

Omar Chaparro stars alongside fellow Mexican actor Jaime Camil in the romantic comedy, PULLING STRINGS, and he's talking about the off set antics and why Eugenio Derbez success in the U.S. is a win for everyone.

Spanish-speaking Americans may recognize the Mexican actor and media personality from his weekly Univision show, Sabadazo. He’s starring as Jaime Camil’s sidekick in the romantic comedy, PULLING STRINGS. The bilingual movie stars Jaime Camil and Chaparro as struggling mariachis on a mission to convince an American embassy worker to grant Camil’s character a visa for his daughter to visit her grandparents in the United States.

The staple of Mexican television has starred in many Spanish reality shows such as Big Brother VIP 2 and Bailando por Mexico (Dancing for Mexico) which he took first prize.  The Chihuahua-born comedian’s previous brush with Hollywood fare includes voicing the character of  Sydrome in the Spanish-language dub of the film The Incredibles.

In our sit down with one of Mexico’s funnymen, Chaparro admits he and long-time friend Camil were joksters on set in between scenes. Chaparro says Camil hates to be bored so both kept everyone on their toes.  His co-star Laura Ramsay says Camil would break into his Eva character, which he had just finished playing in the popular telenovela, Por Ella Soy Eva. In the Mexican adaptation of the Colombian soap opera, Camil dresses as a woman to remain close to his romantic interest played by Lucero.

Chaparro tells CineMovie he’s happy to see the success of his friend Eugenio Derbez at the American box office. Eugenio Derbez’s directorial feature film debut Instructions Not Included has become the highest grossing Spanish-language film in North America (Mexico included) with over $78 million. The Pulling Strings star feels like that movie has opened doors for other projects and talent from Mexico.

Omar Chaparro may be right in that PULLING STRINGS opened to a strong per screen average of $6000 in only 300 movie theaters.  While it came in at number nine opening weekend, the bilingual film came in second after Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity if looking at the per screen capita.  

PULLING STRINGS may be expanding into more theaters this coming weekend.

 

Mexican Film Imports Take Over Hollywood Box Office

Tom Arnold on Shooting in Mexico & Why Taco Bell Is Not Real Mexican Food

Jaime Camil On Feeling Like A Superhero in Mariachi Clothes

New Movie Poster: Popular Mexican Film To Premiere in U.S.