Following the Terminator: Dark Fate Comic-Con 2019 panel in Hall H – three of the stars of the latest instalment in the franchise; Natalia Reyes, Diego Boneta and Gabriel Luna, discussed how the new movie’s representation of the Latinx community is opening doors and changing perceptions.
Colombian actress Natalia Reyes, who plays ‘Dani Ramos’ in the movie said:
“This movie is a reflection of Hollywood now. We are just changing these stereotypes and the ideas and the cliches of what a Latino should be. We’re all immigrants. And we’re just trying to make good movies.”
Natalia Reyes
Mexican actor, Gabriel Luna, who plays the newest model of Terminator – REV-9, said:
“It’s wonderful. It’s really there for no other reason than it’s just reality. [As a terminator,] I come back looking like someone who could be from Mexico City.”
Gabriel Luna
Actor Diego Boneta who plays ‘Diego Ramos’, from Mexico City, states that:
“Finally seeing a franchise like this having a Latinx cast, shooting in Mexico — that was probably the most special part of the movie for me. This was my first time playing Mexican,”
Diego Boneta
Hopefully the characters portrayed by Reyes, Luna and Boneta will be well-thought-out, well-written examples of Latinx people – not a diversity gimmick shoe-horned in by studios wanting to tick boxes at the expense of the actors, the characters, the story and the established mythos of the franchise.
Back in June 2018 Variety reported that:
“Women are half our audience,” he [Paramount CEO, Jim Gianopulos] said Saturday at the opening of the Produced By conference on the Paramount lot. “Diversity is the right thing to do and it’s the audience that’s out there. It’s good business.”
Variety
Variety stated on February 20th this year that:
“Paramount Pictures chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos has announced that all studio productions will be required to complete a plan to enhance diversity.
Variety
Wednesday’s reveal follows Paramount’s commitment to participating in Time’s Up and Annenberg Inclusion Initiative’s 4% Challenge. The name is derived from women having directed only 4% of the country’s top grossing movies over the past decade. The initiative is part of the TimesUpx2 campaign to double the number of women in leadership positions.
Gianopulos also said when a project is completed by the studio, the production team will report their results to a newly formed content creation council to develop metrics, establish benchmarks, and ensure ongoing accountability”
Paramount head, Jim Gianopluos released a statement, which said:
“We recognize that we are on a journey, and we haven’t yet reached our destination. To continue to build on our commitment, as part of the development and green light process, our productions will be required to complete a plan designed to enhance access and opportunities for groups historically underrepresented in the media industry. Special attention will be paid to our storylines, our talent in front of and behind the camera, our vendors, and our shooting locations.”
Jim Gianopluos
It would be disappointing for fans of the Terminator franchise if the story arc and torch pass are simply a result of an enforced initiative, rather than the natural merge of pre-existing characters with new and interesting ones and imaginative storytelling.
We always presumed that the continuation of the Terminator story (T2 sequel) would feature Mexico as a key location but we hope this is legitimate character creation and progression of the story – not a flimsy excuse to fill a quota or to get overly political.
We wish Natalia, Diego and Gabriel the best of luck in cementing their roles as canon in the franchise.
Source: Variety
‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ Cast Proud of Latinx Representation in Latest Installment