The ‘Torrente’ films are sort of the Spanish version of ‘ The Pink Panther.’ Torrente is a strange incompetent cop who gets thrown off the force but still insists on patrolling the neighborhood. During his misadventures he gets the reputation for racism and corruption – this seems like a perfect role for the talented if controverisal Sacha Baron Cohen.
The three ‘Torrente’ films have been number one box office hits in Spain and they are making a fourth. Santiago Segura is the Spanish comedian who created the concept and Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer and David Mandel are writing the Hollywood version script. Everyone behind the film wants Sacha to star but he has yet to totally commit. Probably he wants to see the finished script before making a final decision.
Cohen also signed a deal to play Freddie Mercury in a new film being written by Peter Morgan. Sacha will star as the late lead singer for Queen.