Diego Luna‘s struggle in Hollywood wasn’t just about finding good roles for himself but about being seen and accepted as he saw himself. He had to go through a lot of hard times playing parts that limited him for years. There was a moment when he was very close to giving up the acting career. What stopped him? The answer will probably be a surprise to you.
Not the Roles He Wanted
Prior to becoming Cassian Andor in Star Wars, Luna was caught in the same old scenario. Again and again, he was given roles of a character who uses drugs. “Even the good guy drug dealer,” he once said humorously during an interview. This is the way Hollywood perceived him.
The fact that he was an outstanding actor did not influence anyone. No one was impressed with his leading roles in the movies Y Tu Mamá También, Milk, or Frida. To a lot of the producers, he was the guy with an accent. And that accent made them think he was only good for one role.
The Breaking Point
After the completion of Narcos: Mexico, Luna claims he felt that he didn’t know himself anymore. He said he was considering leaving acting and even focused only on producing in Mexico. Some of his close friends confirm that he was seriously thinking about it.
Why? Because Luna didn’t want to keep feeding a stereotype.
That’s when Lucasfilm called him.
Star Wars Changed Everything
When he was asked to play one of the main roles in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the situation changed. Luna said yes, but he did not change himself. He did not give up his accent. He did not deny his origins. And the fans loved him for it.
Now, he has the leadership in the Andor series on Disney+. It’s not only the favorite show among the audience. It’s also a strong sign. He smashed the stereotype. He proved that there is a place for actors who want to be more than one thing.
He’s Opening Doors for Others
It was not just a fight for Luna’s behalf. He is now producing and directing shows that give young actors a chance. He is very passionate about stories of a real life that tell the world of the new and not just the same old Hollywood ideas.
During a recent interview, Luna talked about the fact that “We are now in a new era; the viewers call the shots.” He is also of the opinion that streaming services have allowed even people without access to the internet to discover not just Latin voices, but also Latin accents and stories they never used to see on the screen before.
Diego’s Future Path
He will be the lead star in an upcoming drama, Kiss of the Spider Woman, where he will be acting alongside major musical artist Jennifer Lopez; thus, this is considered to be the symbol of his musical career comeback. He is, moreover, growing his own production company and is working on a docu-series that will solely reflect the realities of Latin America.
