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The popularity of professional wrestling has grown significantly over the last forty years, transcending many other sports, and continues to thrive in today's world with many top promotions such as WWE, AEW, AAA, and NJPW to name a few. The impact of wrestling has also found its place in the world of films, with many movies made around the subject. One of those films featured veteran American actor Jack Black.
Jack Black is one of the most renowned American actors and comedians in the world. Black has been a part of some of the most successful films such as High Fidelity, Orange County, School of Rock, and the Jumanji franchise. In addition, he one half of the Grammy Award-winning comic rock band Tenacious D. He has also been involved in several voice roles, won many awards for his performances, and was honored in 2018 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Jack Black's journey in the world of wrestling came courtesy of the film Nacho Libre. As the name suggests, the movie centered around the culture of lucha libre wrestling, with Black's character playing a luchador and donning the spirit of a high-flying wrestler. So let's explore Jack Black's foray into the world of professional wrestling through his art.
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'Nacho Libre' Explored The Culture of Wrestling In Mexico
Jack Black portrays the primary role of Ignacio. In the Mexican convent where he was raised, Ignacio, sometimes known as Nacho, works as a cook. Nacho loves all the orphans that live in the monastery, but there isn't enough money to provide them with a healthy diet. While the church forbids Lucha, Nacho conceals his identity in order to collect money for the kids by moonlighting as a Lucha Libre wrestler with his partner Esqueleto.
The latter part of the movie explores the revelation of his identity and how, despite that, he overcomes the odds and defeats a fellow wrestler in a mega match winning huge prize money. The end sees Ignacio, who later becomes a professional wrestler, using his money to purchase a bus for the orphans. He then drives Sister Encarnación, thief-turned-friend Steven, and the orphans to the Zapotec-built Monte Albán. Ignacio gains Encarnación's approval by this point, as seen by her encouraging gestures and his somewhat awkward recognition of them.
The Background And Production Of 'Nacho Libre'
Jack Black and the director of the film, Jared Hess, met into discuss working together since Black was a fan of his movie, Napoleon Dynamite. Hess' concept of a man of the Lord covertly leading a life of violence through his passion for lucha libre wrestling drew Black to it. It was partially based on the life of Rev. Sergio Gutiérrez Bentez, often known as Fray Tormenta ("Friar Storm"), a real-life Mexican Catholic priest who spent 23 years working as a masked luchador and competed to raise money for the orphanage he oversaw.
Jack Black suffered an eye gash while being filmed after leaping out of the wrestling ring to perform a stunt. Despite being taken to the hospital, he was still allowed to film. The entire movie was filmed in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Jack Black Suffered A Slight Toilet Accident During Filming
Jack Black admitted to suffering a "little attack" whilst in the middle of shooting a scene for Nacho Libre, which saw him end up running to a nearby field to relieve himself whilst the cast and crew looked on in shock.
He revealed the same during an interview with Total Film, "I was on Nacho Libre in Mexico and I got a little bit of 'Montezuma's Revenge'. I had a little attack in the middle of a scene. I said where's the nearest restroom? They said 'OK. If you just jump in a van, we'll take you back to set, and that's where the honey wagons are with the restrooms. I just ran because I knew I wasn't getting into a van. I just ran into a field nearby. But everyone from the crew could see me. There was no hiding. So basically I had to relieve myself in front of a crew of 72 people, with my trusty assistant handing my paper. It was very horrifying."
The Reception For 'Nacho Libre'
The film was released on June 16, 2006. Nacho Libre earned $28 million during the course of its first weekend. It went on to make $80 million domestically. Critics gave the movie a variety of ratings. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has 166 reviews with an average score of 5.1/10 and a 40% approval rating.
Moreover, Jack Black also admitted in an interview with The Jonathan Ross Show that he has never given up trying to get back in the ring with a possible sequel. "I've always wanted to do another Nacho Libre." While time will tell if we see another action-packed Nacho Libre installment, it can be surely said that Jack Black's association with wrestling through this film will always be remembered as an important part of pop culture and entertainment.
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