Finally Diego Luna can open up about about his latest role. It was roughly a year and a half ago when he was awakened at two in the morning by film director Gareth Edwards. After confusing his call for a possible drunk cousin he was given the news that he was to become part of the Star Wars Family. The catch was that he had to remain silent about it.
“You’ve got to be kidding! This is the best news but it’s not real until I tell my best friends,” Diego recalled thinking then, “Otherwise it’s like a dream.”
Well, two weeks from today it becomes all too real as a familiar face will play a Rebel Alliance intelligence officer Cassian Andor in the latest Lucasfilm “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” This will be a culmination of a dream for the now 36-year old veteran actor who as a child was a fan of the franchise.
“Killing a Stormtrooper it’s so nice,” Luna excitedly recalled, “That feeling of running and suddenly shooting and the guy falls, it’s so special. I’ve dreamed of that my whole life.”
The process of training for the role surely had to convince Diego that unlike “Y Tu Mama Tambien” or “Milk” he was going to have to go about this much more differently as he worked stunts with trained soldiers.
“I spent two weeks with ex militaries and did a lot of patrolling and camping and just listening to their stories.”
Luna took his beatings like a good rebel fighter and rested with an old friend while counting down the days until he could share with the world that he was going to be in the next Star Wars Movie. ”
Tequila is very good. One or Two at night,” Luna admitted, “You fall asleep, and when you wake up and you know you’re going to go shoot Star Wars, everything works.”
Little Know Facts:
- Multilingual Talent: Diego Luna is fluent in three languages: Spanish, English, and Portuguese. This linguistic versatility has aided him in his international acting career.
- Early Start: Luna began his acting career at the young age of seven when he starred in the Mexican telenovela “El Abuelo y Yo” (“The Grandfather and I”). This early start laid the foundation for his successful career in film and television.
- Directorial Debut: In 2014, Luna made his directorial debut with the film “César Chávez,” which chronicles the life of the iconic Mexican-American labor leader and civil rights activist.
- Passionate Environmentalist: Luna is known for his passion for environmental conservation. He actively supports various environmental causes and has been involved in projects aimed at raising awareness about issues such as climate change and deforestation.
- Musical Talent: Apart from acting, Luna is also musically inclined. He plays the guitar and sings, and he even showcased his musical abilities in the film “Rudo y Cursi,” where he played a footballer with aspirations of becoming a famous singer.
- Political Activism: Luna is not just a talented actor but also a vocal advocate for social and political causes. He has been actively involved in campaigns supporting human rights, immigration reform, and other social justice issues.
- Family Connection: Diego Luna comes from a family with a background in entertainment. His mother, Fiona Alexander, was a British costume designer, and his father, Alejandro Luna, is a set designer. This familial connection to the industry likely influenced Luna’s career choice.
- International Recognition: While Luna has gained widespread recognition for his work in Hollywood films, he has also received acclaim for his performances in Mexican cinema. He has won several awards for his roles in both Mexican and international films.
- Star Wars Universe: Luna joined the Star Wars franchise with his role as Cassian Andor in the Disney+ series “Star Wars: Andor.” His portrayal of the morally complex Rebel intelligence officer has garnered praise from fans and critics alike.
- Cultural Ambassador: Luna is not only an actor but also a cultural ambassador, representing Mexican cinema and culture on the global stage. He has played roles that celebrate Mexican heritage and has worked to promote the diversity of Latin American storytelling in mainstream media.
Film & Tv Appearances:
Films:
- “Y Tu Mamá También” (2001) – A coming-of-age film directed by Alfonso Cuarón, where Luna starred alongside Gael García Bernal.
- “Frida” (2002) – A biographical drama about the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, in which Luna portrayed the famous muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros.
- “The Terminal” (2004) – Luna appeared in this Steven Spielberg-directed comedy-drama, starring Tom Hanks as a man stranded in an airport terminal.
- “Milk” (2008) – Luna portrayed Jack Lira, the lover of Harvey Milk, in this biographical film about the life of the first openly gay elected official in California.
- “Rudo y Cursi” (2008) – Luna starred alongside Gael García Bernal once again in this comedy-drama about two brothers who dream of becoming professional football players.
- “Elysium” (2013) – Luna appeared in this dystopian science fiction film directed by Neill Blomkamp, starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster.
- “César Chávez” (2014) – Luna made his directorial debut with this biographical film about the Mexican-American labor leader and civil rights activist.
- “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016) – Luna played the role of Cassian Andor, a Rebel intelligence officer, in this Star Wars anthology film.
- “If Beale Street Could Talk” (2018) – Luna had a supporting role in this romantic drama directed by Barry Jenkins, based on James Baldwin’s novel of the same name.
- “Wander Darkly” (2020) – Luna starred alongside Sienna Miller in this psychological drama film about a couple dealing with a traumatic event.
TV Shows:
- “El abuelo y yo” (1992) – Luna began his acting career in this Mexican telenovela, where he played the role of Luis.
- “Narcos: Mexico” (2018-2021) – Luna portrayed the drug lord Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo in the Netflix crime drama series.
- “Star Wars: Andor” (2022-present) – Luna reprised his role as Cassian Andor in this Disney+ series set in the Star Wars universe.
This list showcases Diego Luna’s diverse range of roles across various genres in both film and television.
