Actor Julio Cedillo Shares His Experience in “Sicario” Next to Benicio Del Toro

By: Cindy G. Castillo

Mexican actor Julio Cedillo plays a small, but crucial role in the film, “Sicario,” next to none other than Benicio del Toro and Emily Blunt. 

However, the first time he was introduced to his character Fausto Alarcon, a drug kingpin, he wasn’t a big fan and initially turned down the role.

“The scene [when I first read it] was overwhelming,” Cedillo explains, “I didn’t want to be a token, and I didn’t want to be another Mexican in a movie where there’s no redeeming quality to him, and then you kill him at the end. So that’s why I said no.”

But soon after rejecting the role, he received a surprising phone call by director Denis Villeneuve, who wanted to learn more about the actor’s decision and his concerns behind the project.

The French-Canadian director told Cedillo his concerns were legitimate, and it was then that the actor was cast in the project.

“He told me, ‘that’s why we want you; those are the kinds of questions a good actor should ask,’” Cedillo says, “I was just so blown away by him validating me, [ I mean,] in the hands of Denis I should’ve known better because he’s just a masterful director.”

Among other things, the actor said he appreciated the calm atmosphere in the set despite having to do intense scenes, and the freedom to do improv, something he doesn’t “get to do that often.”

Cedillo’s decision to join the cast in the end, paid off. Since its September release, “Sicario” has already received major praise by critics. It is now a contender in the Best Movie category at the 21st Annual Critics’ Choice Awards coming up January 17th. The project is competing next to other big titles including “Bridge of Spies,” “The Martian,” “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “The Big Short.”

Fans of the movie will also be thrilled to find that they’ll soon be able to take the action thriller home. “Sicario” will be out in Combo pack Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand January 5th.