The script began as Bray 's memoir about the death of his brother , who had been involved with gangs , but Bray turned the memoir into a story about a fictional vigilante named " El Chicano " . Carnahan and Bray then completed the script in a four-week collaborative writing session at Carnahan 's home near Palm Springs . They pitched the script for '' El Chicano '' in 2017 , but interested studios expressed concerns about the all-Latino cast , and ultimately passed on the film . The pair found new investors from the oil and gas industry who partnered with Carnahan and Frank Grillo 's production company WarParty Films to produce '' El Chicano '' . The film was mostly shot in Calgary . Following the film 's premiere at the LA Film Festival , Briarcliff Entertainment acquired U.S. distribution rights
LA Film Festival
LA Film Festival
El Chicano (film)