Young Actor Pedro Dantas Returns as Zé Lelé in 'Chico Bento 2'; Mairinque Hosts Filming

Thirteen-year-old Mairinque native Pedro Dantas de Almeida will reprise his role as Zé Lelé in the upcoming film "Chico Bento 2: Sardade." Dantas, who first portrayed the character in the initial movie, was selected from approximately 6,000 children for the part. His father, Isaías de Almeida, noted that comparisons between Pedro and Zé Lelé began when the boy was five, due to his extroverted and charismatic nature, and his resemblance to the comic book character. Pedro, who had no prior acting experience, shares Zé Lelé's playful personality and connection to rural life. He resides on a farm in Mairinque, where he enjoys caring for animals and riding horses, and has expressed a desire for more farm animals. Mairinque, São Paulo, served as a filming location for "Chico Bento 2: Sardade" in July. Specifically, scenes were shot at the historic former Mairinque Railway Tunnel in the Moreiras neighborhood. During the filming of the first movie, Pedro developed a strong bond with his co-stars, particularly Isaac Amendoim, who plays Chico Bento, with their friendship appearing natural and immediate. The release date for "Chico Bento 2: Sardade" has not yet been announced, but production is ongoing. The first film featured an ensemble cast including Anna Julia Dias as Rosinha, Lorena de Oliveira as Tábata, Davi Okabe as Hiro, and Guilherme Tavares as Zé da Roça.