Danny Trejo to Star in Indie MMA-Themed Drama “American Underdog”

Danny Trejo is mixed-ing things up…

The 78-year-old Mexican American actor and Machete star has landed a role in American Underdog, an indie drama set in the world of MMA.Danny TrejoVeronica Falcón will also star in the film, which is now in production in Chicago.

The film, marking the feature directorial debut of Peruvian-American filmmaker Gustavo Martin, will also star Vishy Ayyar and Andrew Gray.

The film’s protagonist is Jai (Ayyar), an ex-con on a soulful path wrestling with personal redemption when outside circumstances pit him in the ring against the fierce opponent, Marcus (Gray).

Trejo portrays Dennis, who reluctantly comes out of retirement to train his former student, while Falcón steps into the role of Marcella, a local gym owner and community legend shepherding Jai in his return to fighting.

A production of Peach Partners, in association with Mulberry Films and MxW VenturesAmerican Underdog will also star Suleka Mathew (Your Honor), Taylor Treadwell (Big Little Lies), Omi Vaidya (3 Idiots), Ranjita Chakravarty (Never Have I Ever) and Jaspal Binning (The Newsroom).

Martin and Matthew Mascia wrote the script, with Naveen A. Chathapuram (The Last VictimBrown Nation), Rashaana Shah (IFC’s Bollywood Hero) and Cristy Coors Beasley (The WestsidersLonelyGirl15) aboard to produce.

Trejo is best known for his work in such films as MacheteGrindhouse, Planet TerrorFrom Dusk Till DawnHeat, Good MourningThe Ridiculous 6PredatorsHalloween, Smiley FaceThe Devil’s Rejects, the Spy Kids franchise, Once Upon a Time in MexicoxXx and Con Air, among many others.

His notable television credits include Better ThingsAmerican GodsThe Flash and Sons of Anarchy.

Falcón can currently be seen in the second season of HBO’s Perry Mason and has also appeared on shows like OzarkWhy Women Kill and Queen of the South, to name a few.

Her notable film credits for the actress include The StarlingJungle CruiseThe Forever Purge and Voyagers. Up next for release for her is the Amazon Studios drama A Million Miles Away with Rosa Salazar, Garret Dillahunt and Michael Peña.