Gay Wrestling Film ‘Cassandro’ Starring Gael García Bernal and Bad Bunny Releases First Trailer

September 1, 2023
TOMMY

When news dropped earlier this year that Gael García Bernal would be starring in a biopic about Cassandro, the legendary wrestler who made history as the first gay luchador, I was extremely excited. When I found out Bad Bunny would be making his acting debut in the movie and the two would share steamy scenes together? Well, let's just say pearls were clutched in eager anticipation. Now, at long last, the first trailer of the aptly titled Cassandro has been released and it looks as fabulous as Cassandro himself.

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From the looks of the trailer, Cassandro will give us a look at the journey that led Cassandro—real name Saúl Armendáriz—to become an international icon. From his upbringing in El Paso, TX, to his brief stint in high school in his family's hometown of Juárez, Chihuahua, MX, and right into a career as a lucha libre starting at 15, Cassandro looks like we're going to get a proper deep dive into the man behind the makeup.

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When he began his career, "exoticos" never won. For those who are unfamiliar with the terms (read: me), an exotico is a luchador who essentially performs in drag. Whether they go full-drag or simply add extensive makeup and decorative costume flair, the exoticos pushed the boundaries in a sport and culture defined by "machismo."

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The real-life Cassandro and Gael García Bernal

As he does with any role he takes on, Gael García Bernal completely transforms himself into the part. But this is taken to another level given that not only is he portraying a wrestler (a physical challenge for any actor), but he's playing a wrestler specifically known for his fabulosity and expressive performances. And not for nothing, Bad Bunny (who is apparently currently dating Kendall Jenner) looks damn good! I mean... he always looks damn good, especially if you caught his recent semi-nude IG story! But he looks like he has some properly solid acting chops. I'm excited to see if that lasts the entire film or if they just spliced in his few passable scenes. I have faith in you, BB!

Also co-starring in Cassandro is my absolute forever bae... the ONLY man worth Patrick's affection (#TeamRichie #IYKYK)... Raul Castillo. Though he's straight, this is not the first time Castillo has played a gay role or acted in a "gay movie." In addition to the artist-formerly-known-as-HBO's-Looking, Castillo played the father in the film version of the STUNNING novel We the Animals. As far as I'm concerned, he is honorary fam. And once again, Castillo plays a Queer character Gerardo (aka "El Commandante"), who is a closeted—and married—fellow luchador. Needless to say, there are some hot scenes that involve Castillo's Gerardo exploring his sexuality. But they also convey an incredibly sad existence for the lovers. As Cassandro skyrockets to fame, the secret of their love appears to become harder and harder to conceal.

It's also worth noting that the real-life Cassandro just became the first out athlete to be entered into the Lucha Libre AAA World Wide ("AAA") Hall of Fame.

Cassandro premieres on September 15, 2023. But until then, enjoy the trailer below!