We had the wonderful opportunity to interview actor Luis Arrieta on his role as Weaver in the upcoming film “Dragonball Evolution” by director James Wong (Final Destination 3) and starring Justin Chatwin (S. Darko), Ernie Hudson (Ghost Busters) and Yun-Fat Chow (The Red Circle).
Comparable to Shia LeBeouf here in the US, Latino heartthrob Luis Arrieta was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico. Luis has appeared in a handful of successful Mexican film and television series, most notably Belinda [270 episodes/Azteca TV, Latin America, Europe] and Ride My Motorcycle [170 episodes/Azteca TV, Latin America, Europe].
Now, Luis has four films set to be released in 2009: Love Equation, Paradas Continuas (Continuous Stops), set to be one of the biggest films in 2009 in Mexico, Borderline, and perhaps Luis’ biggest film to date, 20th Century Fox’s Dragonball Evolution to be released April 10, 2009.
Here’s our interview with Luis:
1. Please tell us a bit about your background. Where are you from and what inspired you to become an actor?
I was born in Mexico City and I started acting when I was 18. I studied at one of the best actings schools in Mexico, the CEFAC. I started doing a lot of television and theater even though I always had the dream to act in films. About five years ago I decided to disappear from the Mexican media and I took a trip to Los Angeles. There, I studied at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute. As many other actors I did different types of jobs to survive but I was always lucky to be involved in a play, an independent film or doing commercials. Two years ago I wrote a script in Spanish so I went back to Mexico to produce it. While I was looking for investors I landed two lead roles in two pretty big Mexican movies. Also, I landed the role of “Weaver” in Dragonball. So I now I have my own production company that will produce my scripts and I am acting in Mexican movies. I couldn’t tell you a specific moment in my life or something that inspired me to become an actor, I mean since I was very young I always had this internal instinct, I don’t know what to call it, it just told me that I should try it!
2. Who has been a big influence to you as an actor?
There are many actors that I admire. Some of them are Dustin Hoffman, Daniel Day-Lewis, Ed Harris, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Meryl Streep.
2. Tell us about your experience working on “Dragonball: Evolution”.
It was great. I mean it was a short experience because my character was smaller than the main characters, but either way I had a lot of fun. I felt lucky to be a part of such a big movie.
3. How did you prepare for your role as Weaver?
I read everything I could about Dragonball and watched every single video I could find. I wanted to feel that I was a part of this amazing world. I would walk in the street imagining the environment of Dragonball.
4. What was it like working with director James Wong?
He is someone really cool that knows exactly what he wants. I felt really comfortable working with him. He also has a great sense of humor.
5. Of all of the film and television you’ve done, what has been your favorite role and why?
Paradas Continuas aka Continuous Stops. I did this movie last year and it opens October 2009 nationwide here in Mexico. I loved this movie because is a smart comedy that will make you laugh in every scene. It’s produced and directed by really important people from the Mexican industry. It’s just one of those movies where the characters are amazing and the people you work with in every single department are so talented that it’s just like a dream come true.
6. Any new projects in the works?
I am in two callbacks for two amazing films, and I am writing my first play.
7. Thanks so much for your time!
Thank you!
