Two years after it was first announced and six months since filming started, it looks like FX’s Sons of Anarchy spin-off Mayans MC has hit a snag. Sources reported last week that the show’s pilot will be completely reshot with several cast members set to be replaced.
Mayans MC follows the Latino biker gang of the same name and a new prospect named EZ Reyes (played by JD Pardo). Right now it’s unknown who from the initial cast will be recast but it’s hoped that both previously announced cast members Edward James Olmos and Emilio Rivera will be retained. Rivera is a Sons of Anarchy alum meant to bridge the narrative between Mayans MC and Sons of Anarchy where Rivera played Marcus Alvarez.
Olmos, however, is the bigger draw and would be a shame to lose. He’s been cast as Felipe Reyes, EZ’s father, a “Mexican OG who’s trying to walk the straight and narrow.” After doing superlative work on Battlestar Galactica and countless Chicano gangster flicks, losing Olmos would be a serious setback. Other cast members previously announced include: Antonio Jaramillo, Clayton Cardenas and Richard Cabral.
It was also revealed that Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter is taking a backseat on the new pilot, going from director and writer to strictly screenwriter. He’ll be working with Cuban showrunner Norberto Barba, producer of NBC’s fantasy series Grimm.
Replacing characters is nothing new for Sutter’s series. When Sons of Anarchy’s pilot was first shot Scott Glenn was replaced by Ron Perleman in the role of Clay Morrow so this might not be anything to worry about, although it’s hoped that a Latino stalwart like Olmos isn’t getting the boot. This looks to be another setback in a series that’s gestated in development for awhile.