After earning a dark horse title with this year’s Best Actor race, Demián Bichir has taken this incredible momentum and, wisely, channeled it toward his own career. We already know that, this summer, he’ll take part in Oliver Stone‘s promising Savages, and Variety now reports that the actor is starring in Trapped, the new film from William Friedkin, while having also procured a supporting part in Robert Rodriguez‘s Machete Kills. (It’s even said J.J. Abrams was looking at him for the antagonistic lead role in Star Trek 2, but scheduling issues forced him to drop, making way for Benedict Cumberbatch.)

If you’re like-minded, Friedkin‘s film is of paramount interest — but, unfortunately, we only know he’ll play “an Israeli operative.” That’s it. We’ll keep an eye out on the revitalized ’70s favorite — who finally premieres Killer Joe later this year, in NC-17 fashion — when Trapped begins production at the start of next year, however. The Machete Kills role is also confidential, but we’ll know more upon the commencement of shooting, which should happen next month.

It’s, quite simply, plain old good news for Bichir; considering his acting talent, also for film viewers. And, you know, William Friedkin is working on something new in the meantime. I’m excited about that, too.

Are you happy to see Bichir grab prolific roles in the wake of his Oscar nomination?