Erik Estrada Blasts ‘CHIPS’ Movie as ‘Pure Trash’

The man who played Ponch spreads message calling big-screen adaptation “demeaning 2 CHiPs’ fans”

erik estrada
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Looks like Erik Estrada might not be a big fan of the upcoming “CHIPS” movie.

Estrada, who played Officer Frank “Ponch” Poncherello on the original NBC series, devoted a portion of his Monday sharing tweets that tore into the upcoming big-screen adaptation.

One tweet which Estrada shared with his 24,000 followers criticized the film for the footage of gunplay contained in the recently released trailer.

“@robbyynnnnnn @ErikEstrada @LarryDWilcox saw the trailer the other day…PURE TRASH…remember(not 100%sure) real CHiPs NEVER drew their gun,” the tweet read.

A second tweet shared by the actor referred to the film as “demeaning” to fans of the original series.

“I tell you that new CHiPs movie that is either in the works or done is demeaning 2 CHiPs’ fans & I will nt [sic] see it,” the tweet read.

Last week, Dax Shepard and Michael Pena, who star in the big-screen adaptation, premiered the trailer for the film on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

In the film, Pena plays an FBI agent who is given the alias of Frank “Ponch” Poncherello and sent into the California Highway Patrol to investigate claims that there are crooked cops in the force. He’s partnered with CHP rookie Jon Baker (Shepard), a reckless thrill-seeker who has quickly proven himself to be one of the best motorcycle riders on the force.

Soon they discover that the FBI’s suspicion was correct and ride out to take down the dirty lawman Vic Brown (Vincent D’Onofrio) and his gang of violent carjackers.

“CHIPS” is written, directed, and co-produced by Shepard. Adam Brody and Maya Rudolph co-star in the big-screen adaptation that hits theaters on March 24.

TheWrap has reached out to Estrada for further comment on his thoughts about the film.

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