Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna’s Powerful Reunion in Mexico
Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, two of Mexico’s most beloved actors, reunite in the Hulu series La Máquina. Their decades-long friendship and shared history bring an authentic energy to this story of an aging boxer and his manager navigating the complexities of life and sport. The interviews shared in this article were initially featured in Vanity Fair.
Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna’s bond began long before they became household names. Both actors were born and raised in Mexico, and their friendship dates back to childhood. Growing up in the same circles, they shared a passion for acting and a deep connection to their Mexican roots. This bond was first showcased on the global stage in the 2001 film Y tu mamá también, which catapulted them to international fame and solidified their status as two of Mexico’s brightest stars.
After the success of Y tu mamá también, the duo collaborated on several projects, including founding two production companies: Canana Films in 2005 and La Corriente del Golfo in 2018. These ventures allowed them to tell stories resonating with their cultural heritage while pushing the boundaries of Latin American cinema. Despite their separate acting careers, which took them to Hollywood and beyond, García Bernal and Luna always found their way back to each other, united by their shared vision and deep friendship.
Their latest collaboration, La Máquina, marks a significant career moment. After over a decade of pursuing individual projects, they have come together again to tell a deeply personal and culturally significant story. The series, which premieres on Hulu on October 9, is not just a return to their native language but also to the themes and narratives that have always been close to their hearts.
A Decade in the Making
The idea for La Máquina was born in 2010, during a snowy night in Berlin. Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna were attending the Berlin Film Festival when they found themselves trudging through the snow after a late night out. In a moment of inspiration, or perhaps exhaustion, they began to talk about creating something together—a story about an aging Mexican boxer and his manager. The concept resonated with both of them; they knew it was a story they had to tell.
However, it would take over a decade for that idea to come to fruition. As their careers continued to flourish, with Luna starring in the Disney+ series Andor and García Bernal earning acclaim for his role in the wrestling drama Cassandro, finding the time to collaborate on a new project became increasingly difficult. But the desire to work together again never waned, and when the opportunity finally arose, they knew they had to seize it.
La Máquina is more than just a project for García Bernal and Luna—a labor of love. Written and executive-produced by Marco Ramirez and directed by Gabriel Ripstein, the six-episode series is a rich tapestry of Mexican culture, boxing history, and the complexities of friendship and ambition. It was a chance for García Bernal and Luna to return to their roots, working with a cast and crew that felt more like family than colleagues. The series is filled with colorful characters, rich set designs, and the vibrancy of Mexican boxing culture, all of which contribute to the authenticity and energy that permeate every scene.
A Deep Dive into Andy and Esteban
In La Máquina, Diego Luna takes on the role of Andy, a hustling boxing manager who is as flashy as he is flawed. For Luna, Andy was a chance to explore the complexities of a character constantly striving to prove his worth to others and himself. “He cares about everything but what’s real,” Luna explains. “He’s never comfortable with the way he looks, with the way he sounds, with the way people see him.” Luna drew inspiration from the talent managers he has encountered throughout his career, channeling their relentless drive and the pressures they face in a cutthroat industry.
Gael García Bernal, on the other hand, plays Esteban, a once-celebrated boxer whose best days are behind him. Esteban is a character who grapples with the realities of aging, fame, and the inevitability of decline. “We wanted to do a story that starts with a champion and the coming down—to do it opposite as normally these stories go and to subvert the meaning of triumph,” García Bernal says. For Esteban, the true victory lies not in winning one last fight but in finding the freedom to be himself, unburdened by the expectations of others.
The dynamic between Andy and Esteban is central to the series, and it’s clear that Luna and García Bernal’s chemistry plays a significant role in bringing these characters to life. Their shared history and deep understanding of each other as actors allow them to delve into the nuances of their roles, creating a portrayal of friendship and loyalty that feels both authentic and profoundly moving.
Eiza González Joins the Team
While Andy and Esteban are at the heart of La Máquina, the series also introduces another critical character: Irasema, Esteban’s ex-wife, played by Mexican actor Eiza González. Irasema is a strong, independent woman who shares a son with Esteban and remains a close confidant despite their divorce. For González, the role was an opportunity to explore a new dimension of her acting, one that required a balance of strength and vulnerability.
“It was my first time playing a mother, and I just wanted to tap into this softer side of me,” González says. But what drew her to the project was not just the character of Irasema but the chance to work with García Bernal and Luna, two actors she had long admired. “I’m not going to lie—it was a real ‘pinch me’ moment,” she admits, recalling how she used to watch García Bernal in the soap opera El Abuelo y Yo.
Irasema’s role in the series adds another layer to the story as she navigates the complexities of her relationships with Andy and Esteban. She is often the voice of reason, grounds the two men in reality while also dealing with her challenges in the boxing world. González’s portrayal of Irasema is a testament to her versatility as an actor, and her chemistry with García Bernal and Luna further enriches the narrative.
A Celebration of Mexican Culture
One of the most striking aspects of La Máquina is its deep connection to Mexican culture. Filmed in Mexico, the series offers a rich and diverse view of the country, showcasing its vibrant landscapes, traditions, and passion for boxing. For García Bernal, Luna, and González, filming in their native country was a powerful experience, one that allowed them to reconnect with their roots and bring an authenticity to the series that would have been impossible to achieve elsewhere.
“It’s such a deep view into our culture—it feels like a piece of our home being shared across the globe, and it feels extraordinary and unique,” González says. The series doesn’t just tell a story set in Mexico; it immerses viewers in the country’s sights, sounds, and rhythms, creating a sense of place that is as much a character in the story as the people who inhabit it.
For García Bernal and Luna, working in Spanish after years of focusing on English-language projects was a welcome return to their linguistic and cultural homeland. “Spanish is our homeland, in a way. Our linguistic cosmovision operates in Spanish. So we sound quicker in Spanish and flow a little bit more,” García Bernal explains. The familiarity of the language, combined with the close-knit crew—many of whom have worked with the actors on previous projects—created an environment that felt more like a family reunion than a typical production.
As La Máquina prepares to debut, it is a testament to the power of collaboration, friendship, and cultural pride. For Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, and Eiza González, it’s not just a project—it’s a celebration of their shared history, their Mexican heritage, and their enduring love for the craft of storytelling.
The Legacy of La Máquina
La Máquina is more than just a TV series—it’s a culmination of years of friendship, collaboration, and a deep connection to Mexican culture. For Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, it’s a return to the stories that first brought them together and a chance to explore new dimensions of their craft. For Eiza González, it’s an opportunity to join forces with two of her acting heroes and bring a new character to life.
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As the series premieres on Hulu, it promises to captivate audiences with its rich storytelling, dynamic characters, and vibrant portrayal of Mexico. But more than that, La Máquina is a reminder of the power of coming home—whether to a place, a language, or a friendship that has stood the test of time. For García Bernal, Luna, and González, La Máquina is a labor of love, a celebration of their roots, and a powerful testament to the enduring bond of friendship.
