Sean Penn‘s interview with Mexican drug lord El Chapo was all the chatter at a pre-Globes Hollywood party thrown by Paramount at the Chateau Marmont on Saturday night.
In the spirit of true Hollywood, WaxWord asked a number of leading lights — including actor Christian Slater, director Catherine Hardwicke, composer Alexandre Desplat and other folks standing around sipping lattes at the valet — what they figured was the Sean Penn movie that convinced Joaquín Guzmán Loera, known as El Chapo, to grant the actor an interview in the Mexican jungle.
Here’s what they said.
Christian Slater, actor: “The Falcon and the Snowman,” in which Timothy Hutton plays an all-American, disillusioned military contractor employee and Penn his drug-pusher childhood friend, who become spies for the Soviet Union.
Catherine Hardwicke, director: “Milk” in which Penn plays Harvey Milk, California’s first openly gay elected official. “Because El Chapo is probably in the closet,” Hardwicke said.
Steeve Foussard, agent: “Mystic River,” in which Penn plays Jimmy Markum, an ex-con and a father of three whose daughter Katie is found dead and his friend Dave becomes the No. 1 suspect.
Diane Warren, composer: “I Am Sam,” in which Penn plays a mentally challenged man fighting for custody of his 7-year-old daughter (Dakota Fanning).
Richard Kidd, visual effects supervisor: “The Gunman,” in which Penn plays a sniper on a mercenary assassination team who kills the minister of mines in the Congo. The kill shot forces him to go into hiding to protect himself and the members of his team from retribution.
Alexandre Desplat, composer: “Sweet and Lowdown,” in which Penn plays fictional jazz guitarist Emmet Ray who idolizes Django Reinhardt, faces gangsters and falls in love with a mute.
Megan Colligan, President of Worldwide Distribution and Marketing for Paramount: “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” in which Penn plays…. you know, Jeff Spicoli. 
My own guess is going to be “Dead Man Walking,” since El Chapo may well think that Penn empathizes with a man who has spent a lot of time behind bars.
