Dora the Explorers Michael Pena brands film Latin Black Panther: Its a great sign of the times
The stars of the new Dora the Explorer film have argued that the kids movie is leading the way in Latinx representation on the big screen.
Eva Longoria, Narcos Michael Peña, Benecio del Toro and Danny Trejo all star in Dora and the Lost City of Gold, which hits UK cinemas on Friday, with 18-year-old Peruvian-American actress Isabella Moner playing the iconic adventurer.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, the cast discussed the importance of diversity and representation in film and cited Marvels Black Panther as the driving force behind change in the movie industry.
Its kind of a great sign of the times where audiences are demanding [representation] and wanting it and supporting it, Michael, who plays Doras dad, said.
Like Black Panther. Would that movie really have been made 10 years ago or 20 years ago? I dont think so.
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Further praising the 2018 superhero movie, which featured an almost entirely black cast and was nominated for seven Academy Awards, Michael continued: It feels like when Black Panther won, we all won in a way.
Based on the animated childrens educational programme, the live-action Dora and the Lost City of Gold sees a teenage Dora prepare to start high school with the help of Boots the monkey and her cousin Diego, only to discover that a mystery needs solving along the way.
Desperate Housewives Eva plays Doras mother in the film, with the actress revealing that the Latinx representation is what got her on board.
Its authentically Latin, she told Extra TV. Theres no check the box, “lets insert Latino character here.”
More: Eva Longoria
Its not forced upon you. No ones hitting you on the head with a tortilla.
She added: Its the reason why I wanted to do the movie.
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