The guys who wowed audiences around the world in the rousing hit “Magic Mike” are back. This time, they’re turning up the heat and taking it on the road – with a revealing new story, a fresh perspective on the future and a bigger, bolder set of some of the hottest and most exciting dance moves ever captured on the big screen. “Although it’s a sequel, ‘Magic Mike XXL’ stands on its own as a road trip and a dance experience that I believe will surprise and entertain at every turn,” offers producer Wechsler.
One of the hot stars, Adam Rodriguez says they had a blast making the movie and the cast credits director Jacobs for fostering an atmosphere that encouraged banter, as well as allowing them to help develop characters that were introduced in the first film. “Looking back, you can see the growth of the group,” says Nash. “At the same time, when we’re in our comfort zone, it’s like we’re back at camp and everyone wants to party with their buddies for as long as possible.”
We had the chance to chat with Rodriguez who also said he loved the adventure the guys go into as they try to go out with a blast. “The last time you do something ends up being the first time you start moving in another direction, and that’s the way this odyssey is heading,” he explains. The actor talks Latino background, family motto and making her ‘Abuela’ come to terms with the first movie. Check it out:
Latin Times: It looks like you guys had so much fun making the movie, what was it like for you?
Adam Rodriguez: That was exactly the mission; that people had as much fun as we did making the movie. You really can’t fake that chemistry; the way we all get along and how we’ve become really good friends. And because of this you have more freedom to create funny moments; you’re just not worried about making mistakes. So people can see we’re genuinely having a good time and can join us.
LT: Having a Latino background, do you ever feel pressure to represent the culture, or do you mainly focus on the characters you’re portraying?
AR: I feel like just by carrying my name and looking the way that I do, that in itself represents. But I don’t feel a need to force that at all, because that’s naturally who I am and where I come from. I feel like that shines through no matter what, so in terms of representing I just try to be the best human being I can be and try and inspire people. That’s part of why I became an actor, to inspire people through telling stories.
LT: So tell us about your ‘Abuela’ not being too happy with the film?
AR: [Laughs] Oh man, she laughs about it now; it’s a joke now. You know what it is, my grandmother has a hard time separating reality from what I do for a living, so those times I’ve died or I’ve been shot on CSI it takes her three days to stop crying. So I think the same thing happened when she saw the first movie. She proudly took a group of her friends to see the movie, you know, ten 80-year-old women and I think she was really embarrassed when she saw me clapping my ass cheeks on stage, so she called me asking “why did you do that?” over and over. But now she cracks up about it.
LT: And if you had one piece of advice for a guy who wants to become a stripper, what would it be?
AR: I think in whatever you want to do, I’d say be the best. That was like a big motto in my family growing up: whatever it is you want to do, be the best at it.
LT: Tell us what your dream role would be.
AR: My dream is to continue working with people that I enjoy working with and get to make things that I’m proud of. Honestly, right now I’m living my dream. I got to work with so many great people in both these movies where we had such a creative collaborative environment, that it was just what I imagined work would be like when I started out. And now I get to join “Empire” which is another dream come true. I love that show and cant wait to join the cast.
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