Dear god, Charlie Sheen is the president in “Machete Kills.”
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Charlie Sheen gives a unique take on the President of the United States in “Machete Kills,” a version only he could do. But how does his commander-in-chief — dubbed simply “the President” — stack up against his dad Martin Sheen’s “West Wing” character, President Bartlett?
“I am the more interesting president, yeah,” the younger Sheen offers. “I will have your vote after (you see) the movie.”
While he freely cops to the fact that his dad has him beat in the gravitas department, Charlie has a few tricks up his sleeve. “I wouldn’t have all the data, all the facts that he does about world history and all that crap, but I understand the human condition, you know?” Charlie says. “There was a time during that crazy tour when I had Palin beat by a couple of points in a legitimate poll and it was only two behind Barry Soetoro — I am sorry, Barack Obama.”
So what is it about Charlie’s stint as leader of the free world that makes it so much more interesting than seven seasons of Aaron Sorkin-scripted dialogue? “In one day in the Oval Office I slept with three women, pulled out a machine gun, drank, smoked and swore,” he offers. “In seven years Dad didn’t do any of that, you know?”
But don’t go looking for Charlie’s name in the credits of “Machete Kills,” since he goes by his birth name of Carlos Estevez for the film. The reason for that, it turns out, is that he wanted to get the coveted final credit slot with “and Charlie Sheen as the President” during the opening credits. “But that was already given to Mel Gibson and I thought he’s got a couple of Oscars, he wins,” Charlie explains. “Plus I like Mel a lot. He is a terrific guy when he isn’t drinking and driving — sorry, Mel.”
Luckily, another solution presented itself. “Since it’s a Robert Rodriguez film, let’s go with this whole Latin thing and that’s where we went: ‘and introducing Carlos Estevez as the President,'” he says. “Of course the media is like, ‘He changed his name, oh my God!'” It’s always something.”
