Roles in feature films, cable and streaming services, Garcia and Peña are full speed ahead!
By Luis Reyes
Andy Garcia interprets the role of the late legendary film icon Ricardo Montalban (1920-2009) in the HBO movie My Dinner with Herve, which depicts the troubled life story of Herve Villachaize, Montalban’s diminutive co-star who played Tattoo to Montalban’s mysterious Mr. Roark on the hit television series Fantasy Island (1977-1984). Tattoo, we remember as the little person who could be trusted to sing out, “Da plane! Da plane!” as each group of guests arrived. Villechaize, who took his own life in 1999 at age 50 is portrayed in the film by Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones). The film released on October 20th.
Ricardo Montalban, Herve Villachaize
Montalban was born and raised in Mexico and attended Fairfax High School in Hollywood. He later made a name for himself as a young leading man in Mexican films, until he was put under contract to Hollywood’s top studio, Metro-Goldwyn Mayer and cast in numerous successful films. He fought the stereotype image of the Latin Lover and founded the actors’ activist organization NOSOTROS to better the image and opportunities for Latinos in films. When Montalban’s contract expired in the early fifties, he worked in a variety of leading and supporting roles in television and motion pictures. The actor is best known to today’s audiences for his role as Khan in the hit science fiction film, Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, a role he originated in the television series and as Grandpa Valentin in The Spy Kids film franchise.
Garcia has had a rich year as an actor with varied well defined romantic roles as a hotel manager opposite Cher in Mama Mia: Here We Go Again, and as an airline pilot opposite Diane Keaton in The Book Club. He will next be seen in December starring with Clint Eastwood in Warner Bros The Mule, as a Cartel Leader. Eastwood, who also directs, stars as Leo Sharp, an 80 year-old Korean War veteran who becomes a drug mule for the Sinaloa Cartel that is based on a true story.
Diane Keaton and Andy Garcia in Book Club
The Mule also stars Michael Peña, who coincidentally will be playing the role of Mr. Roark originated by Montalban in a new theatrical horror film adaptation of Fantasy Island to be produced by Blumhouse that delivered the new hit film version of Halloween, currently in theaters.
Michael Peña, Diego Luna in Narcos: Mexico
Netflix’s Narcos: Mexico, which premieres on November 16, teams two of the hottest young actors from Mexico and the U.S. in a film series depicting the rise of the Guadalajara Cartel as an American DEA agent Kiki Camerena (Michael Peña) learns the dangers of targeting Narcos crime boss Felix Gallardo (Diego Luna) in Mexico. This new season of Narcos was filmed entirely in Mexico and is based on true life events. Luna, who has many feature film credits in both Mexico and the U.S. as an actor, is best known for his role in the Star Wars adventure Rogue One. He also directed Peña in the title role of Cesar Chavez in the feature film of the same name. Alysa Diaz and Yul Vasquez are also featured in the largely Latino cast.
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