For an actor like Demian Bichir, just seeing his name mentioned as a Best Actor nominee for his leading role in A Better Life is essentially the same as winning. Being considered on the same level as the likes of Brad Pitt and George Clooney goes a long way, and while he's had plenty of great performances over the course of his career(such as in Don't Tempt Me), now he'll get to do it in movies we might actually see.
Bichir has just signed on for two films that will definitely make some noise, even if they won't be leading to anymore Oscar noms. With production on Machete Kills set to begin at anytime now, Robert Rodriguez has added Bichir in an unspecified role. So we don't know if he'll end up on the business end of some far out, sharp-edged weapon wielded by Machete(Danny Trejo), or if he's an ally. The story has the ex-Federale hired by the government to take down a wealthy crimelord(Mel Gibson) with plans to launch a weaponized satellite.
He'll also join Trapped, the upcoming film from William Friedkin(Bug), which should start filming some time next year. I wasn't as big a fan of Bug as some others, but I've heard great things about Killer Joe and Matthew McConaughey's performance in particular.Still, taking the lead in a Friedkin film is a bold move, as they tend to be a little left of center compared to the typical stuff.
Things are definitely looking up for Bichir, as he'll even be a part of the summer movie season by co-starring in Oliver Stone's Savages. [Variety]
