John Leguizamo Based His 'Washed-Up' Action-Star Character in 'The Menu' on Steven Seagal

Mar. 15, 2025

Steven Seagal; John Leguizamo inThe Menu.Photo: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Getty, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

John LeguizamousedSteven Seagalas the basis for his latest role.

WhileonThe Viewlast week, Leguizamo, 62, discussed hisnew thrillerThe Menu, in which he plays a former action movie actor invited to a highly exclusive private island for a dining experience. The ensemble cast also includes Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau and Janet McTeer.

“It’s really about addressing sort of a privilege and entitlement that all these people … that have too much money and want to be exclusive and keep people out. And then they get punished for their sins,” Leguizamo said of the plot.

The actor — who co-starred with Seagal, now 70, in the 1996 filmExecutive Decision— then sipped from his mug while the audience and co-hosts laughed. Co-host Sunny Hostin then said, “And this is why we love you. Because you speak truth to power.”

Leguizamo also toldEntertainment Weeklyabout the Seagal inspiration, saying, “I’ve met lots of these stars like that, maybe before they were washed up. I mean,nowthey’re washed-up. I kind of based mine on Steven Seagal. I had a bad run-in with him. We did a movie together. It wasExecutive Decision. He’s kind of a horrible human.”

John Leguizamo.Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM

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A rep for Seagal did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

The Menuis now in theaters.

source: people.com