| This article is about the direct-to-video movie. You may be looking for home video. |
| “ | An epic battle between good and evil. The fate of the world hangs in balance. Will evil succeed? Will good triumph? | ” |
| — Narrator | ||
The Return of El Maléfico is an animated direct-to-video movie based on the animated series ¡Mucha Lucha!
The movie was first released on July 25, 2004, at San Diego Comic-Con.[1] Then, it was released on DVD and VHS exclusively at Walmart on October 5, 2004, and other retail stores on January 4, 2005.[3] Later, it premiered on Cartoon Network on March 4, 2005.[2][4]
Synopsis[]
The world of Lucha Libre is threatened when a dark force named El Maléfico is accidentally released. Our three Mascaritas, Rikochet, Buena Girl, and The Flea must rise to the challenge and send this evil back from whence it came. Their battle with El Maléfico will decide the fate of the universe![5]
Plot[]
Work in Progress!
Characters[]
Major Characters[]
- The Three Mascaritas
- El Maléfico (debut)
- Jenny Perkins (debut)
- Slurf (debut)
Supporting Characters[]
- El Rey
- Mama Maniaca
- Lonestar
- Abuelito
- Buena Mom
- Buena Dad
- Mr. Flea
- Mrs. Flea
- Penn & Teller (debut)
- Pulgita (non-speaking)
- Masked Dog
- El Silver Mask Jr. (debut)
Minor Characters[]
- Electricity (non-speaking)
- El Haystack Grande
- El Perrito (non-speaking)
- Pierre Del Fuego (non-speaking)
- Tic Tac Toe (non-speaking)
- Megawatt
- La Piñata (non-speaking)
- Zero Kelvin (non-speaking)
- Snow Pea
- Penny Plutonium (non-speaking)
- El Pacifico (non-speaking)
- Ensalada De Frutas (non-speaking)
- Dragonfly (non-speaking)
- French Twist (non-speaking)
- Minotoro (non-speaking)
- La Flamencita
- Botas Del Fuego
- Zebrita Twins (non-speaking)
- Private Reinhardt (non-speaking)
- Francisco of the Forest (non-speaking)
- Double Ninja Ninja (non-speaking)
- Protozoa (non-speaking)
- El Loco Mosquito
- El Oscuro Invasor (non-speaking)
- El Gundamo (non-speaking)
- Cindy Slam (non-speaking)
- Lucha Cop (non-speaking)
- Kid Upandcoming (non-speaking)
- El Evil Cheese Grande
- Coco Demento (non-speaking)
- Tibor the Terrible
- Sonic Sumo (non-speaking)
- Potato Patata Jr. (non-speaking)
- Vegas Bride and Groom (debut)
- Taxi Cab Driver (debut)
- Hula Hattie (non-speaking)
- Heavyweight (non-speaking)
- Headmistress
- Sr. Hasbeena
- Mr. Midcarda
- Captain Ahab (non-speaking)
- Don Reyes (debut)
- Big Dog
- Vegas Tourists (debut)
- Celine (debut)
- Wayne N. (debut)
- Beautiful Woman (cameo)
- El Portero
- Queen Voladora
- Duchess of La Madres Loca (debut)
- Don Cerebro (debut)
- Masked Savages (debut)
- Elvez (debut)
- Monkeyman (non-speaking)
- El Pared (non-speaking)
- Sr. Estupido (non-speaking)
- El Cientifico (non-speaking)
- French Twist's Father (non-speaking)
- Viking Jim (non-speaking)
- Potato Patata Sr. (non-speaking)
- Lady Legume (non-speaking)
- Beauty Doll (cameo; mentioned)
Cameos[]
- Futboloco
- Big Dipper
- Masked Toilet
- El Evil Dentista of Doom
- Mariachi Band
- El Toro Amarillo
- El Dolor De Kurtz
- Mariposa
- Mr. Fishy Fish
Production[]
In January 2003, ¡Mucha Lucha! was renewed for the second season and a direct-to-video movie was planned along with other spin-off merchandise. Due to the high popularity of ¡Mucha Lucha!, Warner Bros. was considering the show to expand the franchise from different platforms that will produce different merchandise, direct-to-video movies, and a feature film.[6]
On May 17, 2003, Mort and Chin including some Warner Bros. Animation staffs went on a trip to Las Vegas for fun research. They have explored famous hotels, casinos and shows including tigers and lions, showgirls, and much more. They thought about the idea that there might be a ¡Mucha Lucha! story taking place in Las Vegas.
On August 5, 2003, the production of "The Return of El Maléfico" started production. However, the movie might be produced as the same time as Season 2 and Season 3's production. They confirmed several new storyboard artists and background designers. Ron Hughart have also joined the crew as a creative director and a producer of the movie, while Miles Thompson (of Koochee-Koo) and Sandra Equihua (of Mexopolis), Jorge R. Gutierrez's husband is joined as character designers. On October 1, 2003, the voice recording session has been started with Freddy Rodriguez, the voice of El Silver Mask Jr.[7] Two weeks later, another voice recording session was held with Tim Curry, the voice of El Maléfico.[8]
On November 22, 2003, an animatic of the movie was complete and the crew watched an animatic before starting an animation process from Bardel Entertainment. It took 6 months to complete animation and tweaked every frame of the movie. On April 30, 2004, an in-house screening was held at Warner Bros. Animation. In the same day, it was announced that "The Return of El Maléfico" movie will have a first public screening taking place at San Diego Comic-Con. It was originally set for Friday, July 23rd, 2004, at 3:00pm to 4:30pm, but it was officially confirmed to take place Sunday, July 25, 2004, at 12:00pm to 1:30pm.
On July 25, 2004, "The Return of El Maléfico" was officially premiered at San Diego Comic-Con in public. Before the screening, Mort, Chin, and Kuwahara talked about the inspiration of ¡Mucha Lucha!, introduced the movie and answer the questions about the series. The Q & A session originally took place after the screening but was changed in the last minute for an unknown reason.
In September 2004, it was announced that "The Return of El Maléfico" movie will be premiering on Cartoon Network possibly in January or February 2005. After the last episode aired on Kids' WB, it is officially confirmed that the movie was going to premiere on Cartoon Network on March 4, 2005, at 8:00pm during CN Fridays.
Release[]
"The Return of El Maléfico" movie was originally going to be released on home video in August 2004, but it was officially released on October 5, 2004, for most Walmart retailers. Other retailers have released the movie on home video on January 4, 2005, which was 3 months later after the official release as Walmart exclusive.
In April 2021, it was available to purchase digitally and rent on Amazon Prime Video and Google Play. In 2022, Mort discussed with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment about the possibility of re-releasing the film on DVD with new content on Bonus Features, but it gained negative response from executives.[9] There has been no announcement regarding re-releasing the film on DVD from both Mort and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment since 2022. In October 2024, it was available to stream for free for the first time on both Tubi and The Roku Channel. It was also the first Warner Bros. animated film to be part of WB TV At the Movies channel as it was streaming on Tubi at the same time. It has been removed from the service as of early 2025.
Transcript[]
Click here to view the script.
Gallery[]
Click here to visit The Return of El Maléfico's Gallery!
Trivia[]
- During the production of the Direct-to-Video film, it was originally titled as "The Code of Evil".[10]
- The production started from August 2003 to April 2004 with the same production time as Seasons 2 and 3.
- This marks the last time Carlos Alazraqui would voice Rikochet, Sr. Midcarda, and Masked Dog in the series after voicing them for two seasons. He would be replaced by Jason Marsden in the following season based on the studio's decision.
- Tim Curry, Freddy Rodriguez, Jess Harnell, and Hector Elizondo (previously voiced El Fundador in "Our Founder") guest starred in this film.
- Additionally, Penn & Teller, the famous magician performers, guest starred and voice themselves in this, while Teller provides special thanks in the credits as only Penn Jillette speaks throughout the film and not him.
- After Bugs Bunny eats his carrot next to the Warner Bros. Family Entertainment shield logo, The Flea takes his place and eats a donut.
- Throughout the film, some characters from the first two seasons return with a minor or as a cameo as they are seen in different locations.
- El Portero was first seen floating in the sewer, then he has a very role when he, held by a Beautiful Woman, meets The Flea at Club Miami.
- Most luchadores from the first seasons such as Mariachi Band, El Evil Dentista of Doom, El Dolor De Kurtz, El Toro Amarillo, Kid Upandcoming, Captain Ahab, and El Evil Dentista of Doom are seen in the party.
- Big Dipper from "Los Fabulosos", Mariposa, Futboloco and other soccer players from "Thrills and Skills" are seen in Gerbil Jorge's Happy Masked Magic World of Wrestle-Tainment.
- Shoeshine Man from "How Rikochet Got His Move Back", Heavyweight, and Big Dog participates in The Ultimate Worldwide Lucha-thon.
- Queen Voladora is seen atop of the giant, toilet paper pyramid from The Lost Valley of Slamazonians and guides Buena Girl to the Boots of Bravery, though she still remembers her.
- This is the only time where El Evil Cheese Grande has a minor speaking role, besides not having a speaking role in the series.
- This is also the only time where Buena Mom, Sr. Midcarda, Mr. Flea and Mrs. Flea uses their signature move during the match.
- Before Rikochet hangs up a telephone, Bugs Bunny from Looney Tunes appears with other students from The Foremost World-Renowned International School of Lucha during Rikochet's Caliente Fiesta Party.
- The Flea dared Rikochet to read the sentence from The Code of Masked Wrestling backwards and reads it intelligibly before summoning El Maléfico. In the short animation from The Return of El Maléfico (DVD), Rikochet and The Flea uses the record player to decipher the sentence from The Code of Masked Wrestling, in which it reveals, "When wrestling, never forget to lace up your boots, lest you trip and fall."
- When Rikochet reads a sentence from The Code of Masked Wrestling backwards, Dragonfly ironically has The Return of El Maléfico (DVD).
- The Code of Masked Wrestling reveals that masked wrestlers can be taught by knowing how to wrestle with an opponent and tell jokes from the book.
- An angry groom was resembled Ron Hughart, the director of the Direct-to-Video film.
- Both cars contain license plate with the word, "Mucha" and "Lucha", which refers to the title of the series.
- Fred Flintstone's loincloth and necktie from The Flintstones is seen in Abuelito's closet.
- Each parent of The Three Mascaritas visit the Fortune Teller that would tell their future through tarot cards.
- Rikochet is the brave, courageous, upright, and honorable masked wrestler and should listen to Abuelito to stop El Maléfico from enslaving the spirits of masked wrestlers.
- Buena Girl holds onto The Code of Masked Wrestling that will be used to help save the world from El Maléfico.
- The Flea is obsessed with donuts.
- El Maléfico shapeshifts into a giant, three-headed dog, which alludes to Cerberus in Greek mythology.
- Buena Dad previously uses "Sparkling Teeth of Brightness" in "Bring Your Dad to Lucha Day" to outshine El Cientifico. He uses it with Buena Mom, but it became ineffective as he releases his bad breath.
- Inside Lonestar and Mama’s signature moves, “Photograph Album of Familia”, there are photos that reveal their flashback along with Rikochet before the series took place.
- Rikochet mentions, "Some guy I don't know", in which Eddie Mort reveals the production coordinator from the first two seasons of ¡Mucha Lucha!, Dominic Bianchi, who later went to work on Family Guy as a storyboard artist and animation director.[12]
- Rikochet breaks the fourth wall by grabbing the wall and throwing it to the side, transitioning to outside of his house.
- Wayne N. sings "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", based on a lullaby song with the same name, but with different lyrics.
- Buena Girl implies that Abuelito doesn't count as a wrestler anyone, even though he mentions that he was retired from wrestling in "Mini Mercado of Doom".
- One of the incidentals in the audience throws Mr. Buttons, Buena Girl's plush toy, from "Party Animal" in the ring.
- Masked Toilet is seen in the empty vacant as The Flea points out the location of Tights of Tightness.
- Mr. Fishy Fish from "The Flea's Fighting Fish" swims across the water below the cliff of the jungle.
- The Three Mascaritas steps into the box and their bodies are divided into pieces by Teller using a chainsaw, which refers to the magic trick known as, Sawing a woman in half.
- Penn receives from his mother that he can't get tickets to the Teal Man Group, which is a reference to Blue Man Group.
- A shot animated by Dallas Bolton was very different from the final version with the similar line. When El Maléfico says, "...If you have the guts", he talks to the camera and laughs after. This was changed to him talking to Rikochet instead.
- El Maléfico's signature moves are based on casino games involving roulettes, cards, and dice.
- As The Flea grows giant with the power from Tights of Tightness, one of the showgirls resembles Wilma Flintstone from The Flintstones.
- When Rikochet unmasked El Maléfico, it is based on the Mystery Inc. gang who unmasks the monster and revealing the mastermind from the Scooby-Doo franchise.
- There are a total of 5 licensed songs that were credited in the movie, but only 4 songs were played: Recuerdo y Lluvia by El Gran Silencio, Venadito Calejero, also by El Gran Silencio, Azucar (Dance Mix) and Boom Boom (Menudo Mix) by Los Kumbia Kings.
- It is unknown why the song, Me Protejo by SNZ was not played in the movie as it was only heard in "Our Founder".
Goofs[]
- Earth was seen through the crystal ball, but in the next frame, it disappeared into a swirling cloud inside the crystal ball.
- When The Flea chickens Rikochet, he growls for the second time, but no growling noise was heard from him.
- After El Maléfico turns most students into inanimate objects, the entire town including Slammin' Donuts and The Foremost World-Renowned International School of Lucha are covered in black, inky blot. However, other houses and asphalt pavement were not covered by a blot.
- When El Maléfico arrives to Las Vegas, the cars switch sides of the road.
- Some belts in Abuelito's closet matches the color of the wall.
- Captain Ahab and Hula Hattie are down with other luchadores, but they were not seen in a fight with El Maléfico.
- As El Maléfico seals every participant luchador to The Code of Masked Wrestling, Abuelito is seen in the ring when he is at home with The Three Mascaritas.
- He is seen again as Rikochet releases all spirits from most luchadores who were sealed from The Code of Masked Wrestling.
- Rikochet's eyes changes size as he is determined to save the world for Lucha Libre, family, and honor.
- As Rikochet walks off his bed, he disappears before leaving the frame.
- Rikochet's eyebrows are missing from his mask as they face El Silver Mask Jr.
- The Flea's left arm moves from one position to another without animating it.
- El Maléfico's hand turns into a hammer for several frames, but after a fireball hits El Silver Mask Jr., he has normal hands.
- The bush wasn't there when Buena Girl walks into The Lost Valley of Slamazonians, but it appears as she approaches the giant, toilet paper pyramid.
- The speed sound was heard, but Beautiful Woman was only holding El Portero.
- Before Buena Girl fights Duchess of La Madres Loca, she screams "LUCHARAN!" as the subtitle says, "Luchador!" erroneously.
- Buena Girl opens the trap door and is pushed by an oncoming ice statue. In the next shot, she is trapped inside the ice statue from Teller.
- Before Penn releases Teller as a baseball, he grunts with Rikochet's voice.
- As El Maléfico holds The Code of Masked Wrestling, the lightening sound is heard, but the lightening effect was delayed.
- El Maléfico uses lightening to struck Buena Girl, but the fire was aqua-blue instead of green.
- El Maléfico is sent flying backwards after being punched by The Flea with most buildings being the same throughout the streets of Las Vegas.
- During the final battle with El Maléfico, Elvez is seen flying in his strongest attack, even though he was crashed to a sign earlier.
- Before El Maléfico shapeshifts through his cloak, his head was missing.
- Most of the objects flying off through El Maléfico's attack flickers as each member of The Three Mascaritas try to overcome his attack.
- In addition, most of the objects flying backwards disappears before Rikochet grab his attack.
Videos[]
External Links[]
- ¡Mucha Lucha!: The Return of El Maléfico at Prime Video
- ¡Mucha Lucha!: The Return of El Maléfico at Internet Movie Database
References[]