The Sizzling Trailer for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Movie Reveals the Real-Ish Origins of this Spicy Snack
Get ready to feel the heat as the highly-anticipated film, Flamin’ Hot, lights up the screen with its sizzling trailer. This captivating movie delves into the fascinating story behind the creation of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, claiming to be based on the “true story” of Richard Montanez. Played by Jesse Garcia, Montanez, a former Frito-Lay janitor, draws inspiration from his Mexican-American heritage to transform Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into a beloved snack. While there are debates surrounding the actual origin of this cheese puff variation, this film offers a captivating narrative of Montanez’s journey.
The heart of the story is rooted in Montanez’s memoir, “A Boy, a Burrito and a Cookie: From Janitor to Executive.” Production for the film began in 2019, marking the directorial debut of the talented Eva Longoria. Produced by DeVon Franklin under Franklin Entertainment banner, in collaboration with Searchlight Pictures, and co-screenwritten by Lewis Colick and Linda Yvette Chávez, Flamin’ Hot promises an engaging and flavorful cinematic experience.
Montanez’s memoir claims that he conceived the idea for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in the early 1990s, recognizing a lack of products catering to the Latino community within the brand. He purportedly pitched his concept to CEO Roger Enrico as part of an employee empowerment initiative during the company’s challenging times. However, Lynne Greenfeld, as per corporate records, was credited with leading the project, and Flamin’ Hot products, including the Cheetos variant, were introduced in test markets alongside Flamin’ Hot versions of Fritos and Lays during the summer of 1990.
Greenfeld has voiced her disagreement with Montanez’s version of events, prompting an internal investigation at Frito-Lay. The company ultimately sided with Greenfeld, stating, “None of our records show that Richard [Montanez] was involved in any capacity in the Flamin’ Hot test market… we do not credit the creation of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos or any Flamin’ Hot products to him,” as reported in the Los Angeles Times. Furthermore, additional reports from the Times have highlighted inconsistencies in Montanez’s claims when compared to the product’s timeline, with test markets announced prior to Enrico’s tenure at the company.
In addition to the talented Jesse Garcia, the film features a stellar cast including Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, and Tony Shalhoub. Flamin’ Hot made its world premiere at the esteemed South by Southwest on March 11, 2023, setting the stage for its highly-anticipated streaming release on Hulu and Disney+ on June 9. Prepare to embark on a flavorful journey that will ignite your curiosity and tantalize your taste buds.
