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Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

The studio didn't initially see the potential in Salma Hayek for 'Desperado', but once they saw her chemistry with Antonio Banderas, they changed their minds.

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Robert Rodriguez: Sin City, Desperado, El Mariachi, Alita, and Filmmaking | Lex Fridman Podcast #465

@ Lex Fridman

Robert Rodriguez: Sin City, Desperado, El Mariachi, Alita, and Filmmaking | Lex Fridman Podcast #465

04/17/25

Related Takeaways

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

I met Salma Hayek while watching a show on Univision, and I knew she was the right fit for the role in 'Desperado' despite the studio's initial reluctance.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

I was determined to hire a real Latin actress for 'Desperado', which was challenging due to the lack of roles available for Hispanic actors in Hollywood at the time.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

I shot Desperado digitally in my house in 1994, which was unheard of at the time. I insisted on editing it myself because it was crucial for me to have that creative control.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

Lady Gaga expressed interest in acting after seeing 'Machete', and I was able to cast her in a sequel because I could shoot her scenes quickly.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

Desperado was the first film to feature the slow-motion explosion walkaway scene, which became a meme by accident.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

While editing Desperado, I was also working on From Dusk Till Dawn, cutting both movies simultaneously, which was a hectic but rewarding experience.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

When I saw Rosa Salazar audition for Alita, she made me cry. If we could capture even a fraction of her facial expressions, it would bring so much life to the character.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

'El Mariachi' contains a tragic love story, which adds depth to the narrative, making the audience emotionally invested in the characters.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

When I was making 'El Mariachi', I didn't speak Spanish, which added an inspiring layer to the story of creating a film in a language I didn't know.