I recently had the chance to speak with Latino actor Kirk Acevedo (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, The Walking Dead, Fringe) about his new Blumhouse film, INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY, where he plays Ted Garza, a man that is being tormented by a supernatural presence.

INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY is now playing in theaters nationwide.

How excited were you to be part of the Insidious saga?

This was my first horror film. That’s my biggest genre. I am a big fan of horror. I’ve seen everything! I love the fact my character is just a good man with a big secret.

After being in a film like this one, can you still get scared watching horror movies?

That would be like saying that after working on movie sets I am now jaded and can’t enjoy a movie. I know that it’s just actors in front of cameras, but If the movie is good, you will be scared. Films like “The Conjuring” and “Annabelle” are just great!

Lin Shaye brings so much integrity and warmth to the character of Elise Rainier. How was it working with her?

Yes. Everything you just said. She was super warm and professional. She takes the work seriously. We got along very well because we both like to take things seriously and being really quiet, until we get the job done. After that we can relax and laugh. She is a very special lady. I loved working with her and I look forward to collaborate with her again in the future.

Leigh Whannell is not just playing a role (Specs), but he is also the writer and creator of these characters. How was it working with him on set?

Leigh, Lin, and everyone at Blumhouse are amazing people! One of the reasons why I was cast, is because Leigh saw my audition for Pennywise in the new IT film. After seeing that, I’ve got a “Get out of jail free” card to do anything that I wanted.

Hold on. Were you close to being cast as Pennywise?

It’s one of those things that is very frustrating to me. What can I do? I can’t show that tape, but I also want people to see it. It was one of my proudest moments. I was so close! As a Latino, I wanted to do it for our people. Let’s put it this way, I’ve got 3 jobs thanks to that tape. When I met with Adam, the director, about playing Garza, he also offered me the chance to play the demon. I said “Wait a minute. You want me to play Garza… and the demon?” and he said “Yes!” Javier Botet was supposed to play the body, and then they would CGI my face into the demon. But it ended up costing too much money. But, seeing that tape of my doing Pennywise opened people’s mind about what I can do.

The film, directed by Adam Robitel (The Taking of Deborah Logan), also stars Lin Shaye, Javier Botet, Josh Stewart, Kirk Acevedo, and Leigh Whannell.

INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY is now playing in theaters nationwide.

Parapsychologist Dr. Elise Rainier faces her most fearsome and personal haunting yet – in her own family home.