Publisher Angela Ortíz sat down with three of the principles behind Matador (and you better pronounce it right!), Orci’s new action/adventure/espionage series premiering this week on Robert Rodriguez’ cable network, El Rey.
L-r: Alfred Molina, Angela Ortíz, Roberto Orci and Gabriel Luna
©2014 Anselmo Sinclair Ortiz
And make no mistake about it: it is Rodriguez’ network. As Roberto Orci told us, getting a series on TV–even for a high-powered writer/producer like Orci—is no easy task.. You’d think Orci could walk through any door these days; he’s been writing successful shows since Xena: Warrior Princess, he’s a major co-screenwriter for the Star Trek reboot, the power behind the Hawaii Five-0 reboot and the pop-cult supernatural success Sleepy Hollow among so many other project. But it’s no easy process…
…and he stayed very involved in developing the character of Tony Bravo and his world:
For all of Orci’s involvement in major projects on the big screen, he sees unique advantages to telling stories on television–and with actors that may be new to most of us.
Finding the right Latino actor to play Tony Bravo was important–even vital–and they found the perfect candidate in Gabriel Luna. A “relative newcomer” (a term that’s been applied to him all too often, as he tells us), he brings an intelligence and energy to the role that’s very welcome and a little unexpected. And he had to face physical and as well as acting challenges when he took it on…
Alfred Molina and Se Fija!’s Angela Ortíz
©2014 Anselmo Sinclair Ortiz
The “Fred” that Gabriel Luna mentions is Alfred Molina, the distinguished and hugely successful Latino character actor (born and raised in the UK, with more than twenty years here in the U.S.) who plays the mysterious and possibly sinister owner of the soccer team Bravo plays for–and so much more! Molina’s list of accomplishments is almost unbelievable; he was in Raiders of the Lost Ark, he was in Ladyhawke. He’s made brilliant and sensitive independent films like Chocolat, then turned to play Dr. Octopus in Spider-Man. He was even an L.A. detective in the tragically short-lived Law & Order: Los Angeles. Angela admits to being a little tongue-tied to find herself sitting across from him…
He admits it’s been an amazing career so far, but there’s more to come–and much already learned…
Gabriel Luna admitted that Molina’s involvement caused him to ‘up his game’ as well. He already had a lot of experience and great work habits, but this was, after all his first chance to be the lead in a TV series, and he was already playing in the ‘big leagues.’
Photo: Gabriel Luna and Nicky Whelan
And of course Gabriel realizes he’s one of the first American-born Latino actors playing the lead in a new series. He realizes the weight of that…and sees it as an opportunity not only for Gabriel Luna, but for Latino actors in general.
Matador is on Tuesdays at 9P on the El Rey network. It’s already been renewed for a second season.
