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With El Chicano now playing in theaters, I recently sat down with writer-director Ben Hernandez Bray and co-writer Joe Carnahan at the Collider studio. During the wide-ranging interview, they talked about the absurd story of how they first met, what El Chicano is about and how it goes from police procedural to superhero origin story, how the film was inspired by the deaths of Bray’s younger brother and daughter, how the film changed in the editing room, what they learned from early screenings, why they had to shoot a completely different ending, and more. In addition, Bray talked about the insane stunt in Swordfish that he can’t believe he did twice, how he got into directing episodes of CW series like Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow, and how there isn’t enough recognition of the work put into stunts. Carnahan also gives an update on Boss Level and The Raid remake.

If you haven’t seen the trailers, El Chicano focuses on twin brothers Diego and Pedro who go their separate ways as adults with Diego becoming a cop and Pedro becoming a criminal. However, when clues about Pedro’s death connect to one of Diego's cases, "El Chicano", a mysterious vigilante figure from their youth, resurfaces.

Check out what Joe Carnahan & Ben Hernandez Bray had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about and the official synopsis.

Joe Carnahan & Ben Hernandez Bray:

• The absurd story of how they first met.
• What El Chicano is about, and how it goes from police procedural to superhero origin story.
• How the film was inspired by the deaths of Bray’s younger brother and daughter.
• How financing for the film came together.
• Why the film is relatable, no matter the race of the audience.
• How the film changed in the editing room and what they learned from early screenings.
• Whether or not there will be an extended cut of the film.
• Why they had to shoot a completely different ending.
• The insane stunt in Swordfish that Bray can’t believe he did twice.

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  Directing episodes of CW series like Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow.
• How there isn’t enough recognition of the work put into stunts.
• An update on Boss Level, Carnahan’s next movie.
• An update on Carnahan’s remake of The Raid.

Here is the official synopsis for El Chicano:

When L.A.P.D. Detective Diego Hernandez is assigned a career-making case investigating a vicious cartel, he uncovers links to his brother’s supposed suicide and a turf battle that’s about to swallow his neighborhood. Torn between playing by the book and seeking justice, he resurrects the masked street legend El Chicano. Now, out to take down his childhood buddy turned gang boss, he sets off a bloody war to defend his city and avenge his brother’s murder