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Michael Peña is probably Ant-Man's best friend, Luis, the ruthless and fast rogue who provides an almost effective help to Scott Lang while offering a merry game. But Peña, funny as he is, has a reach. In Wrinkle in Time he was the personification of a ruthless force called "IT". He also played Cesar Chavez, a corrupt cop, an astronaut in The Martian and My Little Pony . The fact is, he is a talent. He is also a kind boy, a father, and the son of Mexican immigrants who has kept his own point of view while pursuing success in Hollywood.
In his latest film, a sci-fi thriller entitled Extinction released on Netflix, Peña plays the role of Peter, an overworked father in a near-future Earth, plagued by an extraterrestrial invasion. These nightmares eventually come true, but not in a way that most viewers will see coming. Extinction is a triumphant sci-fi psychological film that appears to have been written by Philip K. Dick or Charlie Brooker of Black Mirror (although this was not the case ) ] It's a film about parents' fears and a father's willingness to do anything to protect his family.
There are also a lot of other things, but Peña asked me not to spoil it, so I will not even hint at the nature of the twist. Suffice it to say that everything is emotional and that, apart from high concepts, it seems to come from a pretty personal place for Peña, who constantly worries about his family and his community – not bad, just like conscientious dudes
Fatherly spoke to Peña about the film, his children and the story of his family.
Did you take this part because you are a father?
I think unconsciously, yes. I mean, when you're dad, you'll do everything you can to protect your kids. As if I was crossing the street, there is this fantastic world in which you live as a father like you, if ever there is a call. I said to myself, "If there was a semi-truck rolling on the sidewalk, would I walk in front to save my child?" Yes, I would! I threw my hands and took the truck. That sort of thing. And that's what's cool about movies, you're able to do that sort of thing. You can be the hero.
Why do you think we see so many contemporary movies portray parents as action heroes? In addition to Extinction, I am thinking of A Quiet Place and Cargo …
I do not know. But I'm glad they are. The need to protect your child now comes in different forms. I think it is time . I think movies can at least recognize what parents do. Even if you are raising your child in a working-class area, it's a very noble thing to do. And if the movies can just recognize the people who do that. The movies are fantastic. Parenthood is real. I'm happy that this kind of film is in progress.
Do you like doing science fiction?
Science fiction comes from reality, I think. These are things that come from things that people want . I think people have fantasies about things that go on in science fiction as if you want your memories to be erased or you're fighting extraterrestrials or anything else. I'm in science fiction, not as much as my son. I had used to read a lot of comics. My favorite comic book to date is Preacher . I like this cartoon, dude. It was so captivating. I could not ask it. I read it in three days and I had a horrible sleep.
But comics, like science fiction, tackle real problems, you know? And people can identify. And that's why I got hooked on that: I thought cool, a sci-fi movie that I can identify, awesome.
Your parents immigrated to America from Mexico. There is a lot of poisonous rhetoric about Latin immigrants that gives the impression that there is an extraterrestrial invasion. What does it mean to hear all this – and see the suffering – given your background?
I think the film says that people who look like your enemies are not really your enemies. My parents were farmers who came to America, learned the language, went to school, got their degrees, you know, they worked hard and did well. But I think in the real world you can not make general general statements about an entire country, or race, or group of people without looking silly. I feel lucky to live in a time when more Latins are hired in the entertainment industry. My only job is to do a good job.
What is the hardest thing about a father who works in your profession?
This is the time factor. To be far. This is not really a big problem for me. Congratulations to my wife for making this possible. My family comes with me everywhere. I just finished The Mule with Clint Eastwood in Atlanta and they were with me all the time. More than anything, it is hard for her. This is not easy. I am doing this interview, but my son is in the next room reading his books. Keeping your family close is really important. To be there for your children, that's all. Just you and your kids hang out. I call it "real moments". You really exchange real moments and ideas about how you feel about life. And if you are there long enough, your children will open to you. But it's a constant challenge and a daily challenge.
Basically, it's about showing oneself.
I am very proud of my child to be an avid reader, to be good at school. But things like that are daily challenges that you face. And whether I make a film or not, I have to be present in one way or another. You know when a day did not go as well as it could have and when you did not quite rise to the challenge.
But there is always tomorrow. No matter who is there and what their profession is, the real rock stars are the parents.
-Extinction is now live on Netflix .-
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