MOVIE NEWS – Hollywood actor Danny Trejo (“Machete,” “Con Air,” “Heat”) has been cast as Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the historical epic “1521,” a film about the pre-colonial era of the Philippines and the Battle of Mactan, Variety reports.

Fernão de Magalhães, also known as Ferdinand de Magellan, was a Portuguese explorer who, among other things, gave his name to the Pacific Ocean and played a major role in exploring the world. The Strait of Magellan is also named after him, and a thorough knowledge of it was an indispensable tool for circumnavigating South America in the past. The sailor finally died in the Philippines in 1521, the subject of a historical film called 1521, which will be partly funded by the US and partly by the Philippines. It’s always a pleasure to announce a major historical film, but this project is very special because one of the main characters, Magellan himself, will be played by no less an actor than Danny Trejo. We were expecting a lot of things, but certainly not this…

Magellan led the Spanish expedition that reached the Philippines on 16 March 1521, where a major skirmish between the natives and the conquistadors soon ensued. The story focuses on the battle of Mactan on 27 April, during which the explorer lost his life and his armies were defeated. This is essentially the period covered in 1521, the script for which was written by Mary Krell-Oishi.

Trejo will be joined by Michael Copon (Power Rangers) as Datu Lapu-lapu, the leader of the islands and the man who defeated Magellan’s forces. The whole story is topped off with a little romance, featuring the love affair between the Mactan princess Diwata (played by Bea Alonzo) and Enrique (Hector David Jr., also from Power Rangers), a Spanish soldier and Magellan’s interpreter.

No word yet on the start of filming or a planned release date.

Source: Variety