The Mexican drug lord known as “El Chapo” was recently arrested following a successful escape from jail, but before he was caught he sat down to an interview with none other than Sean Penn.
Sean Penn and soap actress Kate del Castillo reportedly met with El Chapo because he wanted the help of the actress in spearheading a film about his life.
He agreed to do the interview which was then published in Rolling Stone. There were over seven hours of communication between the group, which began in person and continued by phone after authorities tried to come after El Chapo. On Friday he was successfully caught at a house in Los Mochis, Sinaloa.
The Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez has mentioned that Sean’s interview actually helped the authorities in tracking El Chapo down, but Sean has not commented on that possible outcome from doing the interview.
As to whether or not El Chapo will get his Hollywood story, we might have to wait a while for that. According to PR expert Howard Bragman El Chapo’s story isn’t ready yet.
“I don’t think this story is over, you’re going to have a lot of twists and turns before it’s over. El Chapo could escape again, he could be extradited, he could be executed for murder. Lots of different things could happen. And he’s not the most sympathetic character in the world.”
Sean doesn’t seem to think that he was in the wrong for doing the interview, but recognizes that were risks involved. He said:
“I take no pride in keeping secrets that may be perceived as protecting criminals, nor do I have any gloating arrogance at posing for selfies with unknowing security men. But…this will be the first interview El Chapo had ever granted outside an interrogation room, leaving me no precedent by which to measure the hazards.”