Chon was modeled on a dangerous looking military guy; also along the lines of Sean Penn who evokes the Southern California culture.
Ben was modeled as a more cerebral character, with a softer urban quality about him. Ben’s a healer and a botanist. He has softer clothes. A bit of Heath Ledger in him.
Blake was modeled along the lines of a SoCal girl, surfer, bit of Sienna Miller, butterfly tattoo.
Elena is a head of a cartel by inheritance and is one tough cookie, but also elegant and aware. We channeled pieces of Ava Gardner, Frida Kahlo, and even Kate Hepburn.
Lado is a badass Mexican ex-cop with a bit of Johnny Cash and a taste of the Tijuana cowboy culture.
What do you model a DEA agent like Dennis Cane played by John Travolta on? John wanted to be as dumpy as possible. He wanted the character to wear clothes that were ugly, too small, out of fashion, and I think you see that here. We also got John to give us his most natural look, which I don’t think has ever been in a movie before. His hair and sideburns are fascinating to me. But above all with John, it’s the eyes. You’ll notice in the film the intensity of those baby blues and they really do standout in this visage without any camouflage.
Oliver Stone
Ben was modeled as a more cerebral character, with a softer urban quality about him. Ben’s a healer and a botanist. He has softer clothes. A bit of Heath Ledger in him.
Blake was modeled along the lines of a SoCal girl, surfer, bit of Sienna Miller, butterfly tattoo.
Elena is a head of a cartel by inheritance and is one tough cookie, but also elegant and aware. We channeled pieces of Ava Gardner, Frida Kahlo, and even Kate Hepburn.
Lado is a badass Mexican ex-cop with a bit of Johnny Cash and a taste of the Tijuana cowboy culture.
What do you model a DEA agent like Dennis Cane played by John Travolta on? John wanted to be as dumpy as possible. He wanted the character to wear clothes that were ugly, too small, out of fashion, and I think you see that here. We also got John to give us his most natural look, which I don’t think has ever been in a movie before. His hair and sideburns are fascinating to me. But above all with John, it’s the eyes. You’ll notice in the film the intensity of those baby blues and they really do standout in this visage without any camouflage.