El Paso Locals Bring Authenticity to 'One Battle After Another' Filming

Director Paul Thomas Anderson relied on El Paso residents to add realism to key action sequences.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The new film 'One Battle After Another' features several intense action sequences that were filmed on location in El Paso, Texas. Director Paul Thomas Anderson utilized local El Paso residents, including actor Gilberto Martinez Jr., to bring an added sense of authenticity and urgency to the scenes, which depict a fictional urban conflict. The film's stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro, navigated the chaotic downtown setting as protests raged in the background, creating a sense of immersion for the audience.

Why it matters

Filming on location in El Paso, rather than on a studio backlot, allowed the production to capture a level of realism that would have been difficult to replicate elsewhere. The use of local actors and extras also helped to make the fictional conflict feel more grounded and true-to-life for viewers.

The details

The key sequence in question, placed halfway through the film, follows Bob (DiCaprio) and Sergio (del Toro) as they traverse the fictional downtown Baktan Cross area while Col. Lockjaw (Sean Penn) closes in, with protests raging in the background. Local actor Gilberto Martinez Jr. plays the role of a skateboarder named BeeGee who appears in this intense scene, adding to the sense of authenticity.

  • The film 'One Battle After Another' was released in theaters on February 28, 2026.

The players

Paul Thomas Anderson

The director of 'One Battle After Another' who relied on El Paso residents to bring authenticity to key action sequences in the film.

Leonardo DiCaprio

The acclaimed actor who stars as Bob in 'One Battle After Another'.

Benicio del Toro

The veteran actor who portrays Sergio in 'One Battle After Another'.

Sean Penn

The Oscar-winning actor who plays the role of Col. Lockjaw in 'One Battle After Another'.

Gilberto Martinez Jr.

A local El Paso actor who appears in the film as the skateboarder character BeeGee.

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What they’re saying

“It's f–kin' World War III out there, yo!”

— Gilberto Martinez Jr., Actor (IMDb)

The takeaway

By filming key action sequences for 'One Battle After Another' on location in El Paso, director Paul Thomas Anderson was able to capture a level of authenticity and urgency that would have been difficult to replicate on a studio set. The use of local El Paso residents as actors and extras helped to ground the fictional conflict in a sense of realism that is sure to resonate with audiences.