EXCLUSIVE | Project Power's Allen Maldonado says Netflix hit is perfect for a franchise: 'Don't see why not'
'Project Power' starring Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Dominique Fishback in the lead roles is #1 on Netflix. The film is a cross between sci-fi and crime and has acquired a strong fanbase. It follows an ex-soldier, a teenager and a cop as they collide in New Orleans while they hunt for the source behind a dangerous new pill that grants users temporary superpowers.
Allen Maldonado, who plays the role of the cop Landry in the film, opened up about his experience and the possibility of a sequel. Feeling thrilled about 'Project Power' being #1 on Netflix, he told MEA WorldWide (MEAWW), "It's amazing. I mean, I just read today that we're number one in over a hundred countries. That's incredible. It's a fantastic ride and just honored and privileged to be a part of such a fantastic project, with Jamie Fox, Joseph, Dominique and a slew of incredible and talented and well-established actors. I'm just happy to be a part of it."
Talking about the plot, he said, "The storyline itself, being able to have superpowers for five minutes just by taking a pill. I think everybody would jump on the opportunity to take it, even though they're awesome. I think the opportunity to have that upper level of power will definitely fascinate people in the real world. I was all in from the beginning."
What was the most challenging part of starring in this film? "I played a police officer in the film, so really getting an in depth understanding of what goes on and being a police officer. So actually shout out to The Barstow police department who allowed me to do a ride along so I could get a real insight on what goes on on a day-to-day patrol in the neighborhoods."
On whether the film could spawn a sequel, he said, "I think we definitely think it is the opportunity for a franchise. So I believe that the world of being able to have power for five minutes can definitely be expanded and built into a bigger world as even in the film. So I'm pretty sure there's more individuals like that. There's more stories. So, um, the way how popular is going, I definitely see. I don't see why not?"
For Maldonado, it is difficult for him to leave a character after he sinks his teeth into it. "I love what I do. I love to get into each character really designed and really put together and craft a particular look, style, mannerisms, everything. It's difficult to leave it. That gap after you're done. The character never leaves you. They stay inside. They stay dormant, but you can pull them out whenever you need to. As a human being, I can't be that character all day, but I do have to be close enough to that character to be able to tap into that character whenever I need to. So it's a very fine line. You've seen many tragic stories where certain individuals get really lost in the role and can't come out. It's very thin lines. You need a break sometimes. And this quarantine, that's been the biggest thing for me — this is the longest I've been able to be myself in the past five years. So psychologically you got to understand that I was dealing with so many other personalities due to being on four television shows and writing for two in this last five years that you kind of lose yourself."
About his upcoming projects, he said, "I got a show that just got announced yesterday on Netflix called 'Sneaker Heads'. This is about me being a stay-at-home father after being a Sneaker Head for a large part of my life. I have another TV show where I play a pro wrestler. I'm excited. I'm actually in Atlanta right now to begin filming that one."