Jorge R. Gutiérrez, the creator of last year’s Netflix animated series Maya and the Three and the director of the 2014 animated film The Book of Life, has a new project on the horizon. He will reunite with actor and comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias for his first full-length animated film for Netflix, I, Chihuahua.
In the past, Iglesias voiced the character of a bulky warrior in Gutiérrez’s Maya and the Three.
I, Chihuahua tells the story of Chacho (voiced by Iglesias), a chihuahua luchador (Mexican wrestler) who goes on a journey to save his family and enter an international fighting tournament. When Iglesias initially thought of a story for a luchador-themed animated film, he said Gutiérrez was the first person he thought could bring the idea to life.
“I cannot wait for everyone to see this wonderful film that celebrates underdogs in and out of the ring!” Iglesias told Deadline. “It has action, drama, laughs and twists and turns, like any great lucha storyline movie should have. [Gutiérrez] has a brilliant mind that can expand this story in unimaginable ways.”
Gutiérrez said the film will not only be a “hilarious love letter to Lucha Libre movies,” but also to underdog sports films and video games. “I don’t want to overpromise, but this will be the greatest masked Chihuahua film ever made!” Gutiérrez said. “What a time to be alive!”
On Twitter, he added, “Thrilled to jump into the Lucha Libre ring with my beloved tag-team partner [Iglesias] for our new cinematic adventure!”
No stranger to animated projects throughout his career, Gabriel Iglesias has lent his voice to characters in several movies, including Coco, Ferdinand, and last year’s Space Jam: A New Legacy as legendary cartoon mouse Speedy Gonzales. He is currently getting ready to record Fluffy on the Field, his third Netflix special, on May 6 inside Dodger Stadium.