Diego Luna opens up on 10-year journey to bring La Máquina to the screen

As a devoted fan of both Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal, I must say that their reunion in “La Máquina” is nothing short of electrifying. Having grown up watching them bring Mexico’s stories to life on the silver screen, it feels like a homecoming to see them back together again.


The new Spanish-language boxing drama “La Máquina” is significant not just as Hulu’s first original series in Spanish, but also because it brings together two of its stars, Diego Luna from “Andor” and Gael García Bernal who appears in “Werewolf By Night.

They initially acted together in the film “Y tu mamá también” back in 2001, since then they’ve worked together numerous times and even share a production company.

In the United Kingdom, you can now stream the latest series titled “La Máquina” on Disney Plus. The story revolves around an aging boxer named Bernal, with his dedicated manager and friend Luna who is committed to helping him regain his former glory.

Yet, when a malicious group emerges, the importance of a single game escalates to a matter of life and death.

Diego Luna opens up on 10-year journey to bring La Máquina to the screen

Luna expressed, “It’s been quite some time, actually around a decade, since Gael and I last discussed the possibility of collaborating again. We wanted to ensure that this opportunity would let us delve deeper into topics we’re passionate about, such as friendship, Mexico, and boxing. It appears that boxing is the ideal platform for our shared interests.

Exploring the tale of a boxer served as an effective mirror, helping us examine the Mexico we encountered during our adolescent years.

Well, exactly ten years have passed since our conversation began, where we discussed a boxer and his manager, marking the end of their careers. Our initial plan was to turn this discussion into a movie. However, as time went on, the topic expanded beyond what we initially intended to explore, becoming too complex for us to tackle effectively.

This is now our project! We’ve discovered fantastic collaborators, including Fox Searchlight, who have been eager to join us in exploring and growing this idea. And voila, here we stand!

Apart from discussing other topics, Luna shared details about his own background in boxing, mentioning that: “At the age of 12, I made a documentary on Julio César Chávez, an incredible boxer and one of Mexico’s greatest champions. He was at the pinnacle of his career during my youth.

Indeed, he served as my point of reference; he was a remarkable athlete, dominating his sport, particularly noteworthy among Mexicans. His triumphant journey in sports resonated deeply with me, offering a compelling connection.

Boxing holds a significant place in Mexico’s sports culture, arguably excelling in this field. Over the years, numerous Mexican boxers have risen to champion status.

Furthermore, boxing serves as an effective medium to discuss the concept of fame in my country. It’s a significant occurrence that brings together various segments of society, creating massive stars who enjoy widespread popularity.

Indeed, I’ve come to appreciate that a true fighter isn’t confined to any particular social strata. Their strength and spirit resonate profoundly, making the spectacle of their struggle an unforgettable experience, transcending the ordinary.

“It’s quite dramatic too; unique experiences unfold before your eyes that likely won’t be repeated. Additionally, it serves as an effective means to explore the impacts of fame and the tales it weaves, on both a personal and intimate scale.

Discussing a boxer and his manager can serve as an effective analogy for discussing the world that Gael and I inhabit on a daily basis, and our broader experiences within it.

“And this whole idea of also ending a career. How do you end the career? Everyone teaches you to get there, but no one to say goodbye.

“It was an enjoyable and enlightening adventure spent with my good friend, along with reacquainting myself with numerous individuals in Mexico. We assembled a team consisting of people we’ve been collaborating with since the beginning. This team doesn’t just include us; it extends to others who were part of Y tu mamá también, reaching as far back as that film.

La Máquina is now streaming on Disney Plus. You can sign up to Disney Plus for £4.99 a month or £79.90 a year now.

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2024-10-09 10:35