18 Years Ago, Wilmer Valderrama Starred In This Latino Superhero Movie That Deserves a Watch

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Wilmer Valderrama first became famous for his comedic role as the character Fez on the sitcom *That ’70s Show*. Many were surprised when he successfully transitioned to more serious acting roles, including his part as a Special Agent. However, few realize that Valderrama, who is of Venezuelan and Colombian descent and was born in the US, had already taken on dramatic work early in his career. Soon after *That ’70s Show* ended, he starred in the dramatic film *El Muerto* (also known as *The Dead One*), which was his feature film debut.

Valderrama was also an executive producer on this 2007 supernatural film, written and directed by Brian Cox (a different Brian Cox than the actor from *Succession*). Its direct-to-DVD release and multiple titles contributed to it being largely forgotten. However, *El Muerto* (also known as *The Dead One*) deserves recognition as one of the first superhero movies with a Latinx lead. With Halloween and Día de los Muertos coming up, now is the perfect time to watch it – or discover it for the first time.

El Muerto Is An Apocalyptic Ghost Story

I just finished watching *El Muerto*, and it’s a really compelling story. It centers around Juan Diego de la Muerta – everyone calls him Diego – a 21-year-old who’s still deeply affected by the difficult experience of immigrating to the US ten years ago. During that journey, he encountered a Native American man who performed a bizarre Aztec ritual on him, and that moment drastically changed his life forever. It’s a haunting backstory that really drives the film.

On Día de los Muertos, while dressed as an undead mariachi musician, Diego was in a frightening car accident. He woke up believing he was unharmed, but when he arrived at the cemetery where his family and friends were remembering the one-year anniversary of his death, he realized the truth: Diego was the one they were mourning.

When Diego wakes up a year after his death, he’s confused about why he’s been brought back to life. He soon discovers he has strange new powers – he can control people with a touch, feels no pain, and can even resurrect the dead. But his return isn’t the only strange thing happening in town. It’s been raining sunshine every day, which an ancient Aztec prophecy says signals the end of the world. Diego realizes he’s meant to save everyone, and rescue his girlfriend from a powerful demonic force using an old woman named Catrina to bring about the apocalypse.

El Muerto Is Based On An Acclaimed Comic Book Series

The name El Muerto refers to several characters in comic books, but it’s best known as the alias of luchador Juan-Carlos Sánchez from Marvel Comics. Despite only appearing once in *Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #6* (2006), a movie starring him in the lead role was once planned.

The most well-known character called ‘El Muerto’ is the one that inspired the story of *The Dead One*, and was created by Los Angeles writer and artist Javier Hernandez. Hernandez independently publishes the *El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie* comic series through his own publishing company, *Los Comex*. He’s also a producer on the film adaptation and even appears briefly in the movie as a partygoer at a Day of the Dead celebration, having a quick encounter with Diego after he’s brought back to life.

It’s surprisingly good to see Hernandez involved in the film adaptation of his comic, especially since the movie changes quite a bit from the original story. For example, the comic portrays Diego as a U.S. citizen, but the film opens with him illegally crossing the border from Mexico as a child. The movie also adds a significant romantic relationship between Diego and Maria Somera (Angie Cepeda), suggesting their love was powerful enough to bring him back to life.

Diego’s comic book history differs from the movie in a few ways. His relationship with Maria had already ended in the comics – her name was Maria Hermosa – and his journey to Mexico to uncover the truth about his past, a key part of his comic origins, wasn’t included in the film. This Mexico trip could have been explored in a potential sequel, but one never materialized.

The El Muerto Cast Features Many Latinx Icons

Wilmer Valderrama is the most well-known actor in the cast of *El Muerto*, particularly to contemporary audiences. However, the film also features a talented group of Latinx actors who are recognizable even to viewers unfamiliar with the culture. Tony Plana, famous for roles in films like *An Officer and a Gentleman* and the TV show *Ugly Betty*, plays Aparicio, a cemetery caretaker who guides Diego.

The film also features Tony Amendola as Padre Somera, years before he played a priest in the *Conjuring* Universe, including the 2014 film *Annabelle*. María Conchita Alonso, known for her roles in *The Running Man* (1987) and *Predator 2* (1990), appears as Sister Rosa. Angie Cepeda delivers a touching performance as Diego’s lover, Maria, and later worked with Valderrama again, voicing Julieta Madrigal in the popular 2021 animated film.

The film also features several talented non-Latino actors. Zak Silver plays Diego’s best friend, and the late Michael Parks appears as the local sheriff – a role similar to others he’s played in law enforcement, most famously as Texas Ranger Earl McGraw in films like *From Dusk ‘Til Dawn* and *Grindhouse*, both written by Quentin Tarantino. Billy Drago, who passed away in 2019, plays two roles: a Native American man who mentors young Diego and the elderly Catrina, who oversees the demon Diego must battle.

El Muerto Was Overshadowed By Similarities To Another Ghostly Comic Book Adaptation

Beyond its link to Javier Hernandez’s popular comic, *El Muerto* has largely remained known for being similar to the movie *The Crow*. It’s easy to see why critics made the comparison – both stories center around a young man who returns from the dead, wears black and white makeup, and seeks revenge against those who wronged him, much like Alex Proyas’ 1994 film based on James O’Barr’s comic.

Hernandez recognized the similarities between his character, Diego de la Muerta, and Eric Draven from *The Crow*, even admitting they shared some traits. However, he emphasized that undead characters are common in comics – citing examples like The Spirit, The Spectre, and Deadman – and that *El Muerto*’s story is primarily rooted in Aztec mythology and Mexican folklore, which also explains the character’s skull-like appearance. Therefore, he considered any connection to James O’Barr’s work to be purely coincidental.

I’m really excited to hear that Wilmer Valderrama is going to play a hugely popular Latino comic book hero, and he’s even producing it too! The project was first announced a couple of years ago, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing it. I just hope he doesn’t get too far removed from his roots as a superhero actor, especially after starring in *El Muerto* (which translates to *The Dead One*).

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2025-10-16 06:42