One of the most respected and talented Latino actors in Hollywood today, Michael Peña, adds to his diverse filmography the R-rated action comedy CHIPS, loosely based on the popular 70’s TV series about California Highway Patrol officers.

I had the pleasure of being part of an intimate roundtable interview with Peña where the actor talked about his experience bringing to life a brand new version of Frank ‘Ponch’ Poncherello, played in the show by Eric Estrada.

On how the project took shape and his collaboration with writer-director and co-star Dax Shepard:

He wrote it and we were waiting for a green light. We are not mega stars. I have done dramas and other things, but nothing like starring in a movie like this. We got greenlit and we said “Holy cow!” We rehearsed for four weeks and he started rewriting things that we had talked about. Then we shot the movie. It would be cool to work together again if there is a CHIPS 2

On the dynamic between his and Shepard’s character, Jon Baker:

I like that my character is a real guy. If I had to imitate another actor, like Erik Estrada, I wouldn’t have done it. I like that he is very motivated, but doesn’t have much of a family. And I like him and Jon together: One is an emotional genius and the other is very analytical. It makes a lot of sense that way. It’s like “The Odd Couple.”

CHIPS

DH: Where you and Dax in that scene in the bathroom, or they were body doubles?

No man, that was us. I hope it wasn’t! [Laughs] It was me picking him up. He is a very light dude.

DH: I am glad that the movie was shot in Los Angeles. Many times we see films that are supposed to take place in LA but they were shot in Louisiana or another place.

Yeah, we shot in Albuquerque, man. [Laughs]

DH: London!

Yeah, we shot in London! No, we shot in LA. California was a big character in the TV series. I remember watching these girls in bikini. Everybody had a year-round tan. It looked like from another planet. Especially in Chicago, where it snows and it’s always windy. In CHiPs everybody was in a good mood, except for the criminals. People were rollerskating with dolphin shorts, those were a big thing back in the day.

DH: Are you going to carry the DVD in your car in case you are stopped and need to show it to the officer?

[He points to his face and smiles] This is it! If he hasn’t seen it, I would use IMDB. [Laughs]

CHIPS is now playing in theaters nationwide.

California Highway Patrol (CHiPs) officers Francis “Ponch” Poncherello and Jon Baker run around the L.A. area stopping speeders and car thieves, helping stranded motorists, assisting paramedics at accident scenes, and occasionally investigating crimes. The story for this film is not yet known.