Diego Luna (FULL EPISODE) | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

[Music]. I need to put these things on. You all. look really cool and professional. Yeah, I look like. I'm part of the franchise, the Star Wars. franchise. Um, okay. Hi, my name is Diego Luna and. uh I feel Oh, damn it. I feel I have to. say I feel really comfortable. Oh, good. about being Conan O'Brien's friend. Thank you. I feel very uh safe.

Hey there. Welcome to Conan O'Brien. Needs a Friend. I'm joined by Sona. Obscessian, Matt Gorley. Nice to see you. folks. Why'd you pause? I paused cuz I was thinking and then I. thought, yeah, it is nice to see you, Sona. You're having a bit of an issue. today. You had a bit of a spill. And. this is a common problem for you, is it. not? It's a common problem. You're a spiller. I am a You know what? I get angry. You. know what I love? You always say,

"What?" and then immediately say, "Yes.". I know. I know. Cuz you are right. I do. spill on myself a lot. And I have to be. more aware of it cuz this is filmed. But. earlier today, I had a dish with pesto. and I spilled it all over. Oh, I see it. Do you? Yeah. It's right there. And what did you. How did you try to get it out? With a with a Tide stick. Shout out. Tide. Well, not shout out Tide cuz I don't. think it worked. Well, you use the Tide pesto stick. Yeah. Yeah, it's got to be specifically. tied pesto. We got it in and then I uh and then it.

was wet for a really long time. There. were like two wet spots and then I. thought, oh, when it dries maybe it'll. be cleared up and it it's not and I just. it's bothering me. That's got to go to Isn't it boy and can. I say I've known you quite a while Sona. and you have been traditionally a. spiller. I'm a sloppy eater. Yes. Oh, well you are. Who else is a sloppy eater? You are a. sloppy eater. I don't spill on myself. though. I always wear a giant bib.

And then I say goooo gaga when I'm. eating. Oh my god. And I have to feed you. And you have to feed me. And why do I. wear a bonnet when I eat? And I kick my. feet up in the air and little booties. Yeah. And you're sitting in a high. chair. Often doze off. Then you put me right in. the crib. Uh Sona, why? It's just something I used to request. And you went along with it. I want out. I want. 6'4 baby needs to go to bed. Look, we. all have our fetishes. That was mine. Burp you. Um, what are you going to do in the. future to avoid these spills because um.

nothing. Okay. It's just a part of my life. It's like. something I know about myself and I. think I need to carry more Tide Sticks. Shout out Tide. Well, or something that's going to work. a Did the Tide Stick work, do you think? No. Okay. Well, then why do you want more of. them sent this way? And maybe they just. need to work on their formula. Or maybe. Tide's going to say, "Look, we're a good. product, but there's nothing we can do. with Sonamosia.". Like, that's not fair. Like, that's not. fair. You know, I do have. We're a good sponge, but you just threw.

us in the Pacific and you're bitching. that it's still the Pacific is still. there. So, I'm going to say, Tide, I bet you're. a great product cuz I can almost not see. it. And it's Sonum Obsessian. So, good. work, Tide. I have a lot of them all over the place. Sometimes they. What? Tide sticks? Yeah, I do. Oh, so you're like someone who hides. knives around the house, only for you. it's tide sticks. What do you mean? You know what people when they hide. weapons in movies, when people have. secreted weapons and guns around the. room,

that's you except it's all cleaning. sticks. But when you have a. three-year-old, I'm the same way. Your. your clothes are constantly covered in. food from your kids, you know. Yeah, it's from the kids. Yeah. Oh, wait a minute. Uhoh. No, it's from me. Oh, wow. Do you often get food on your kids? They're very tiny. You have They're very tiny. You have. three and a half year olds who are. always wearing little white tuxedos and. very fidious about their eating habits. Yeah. And you're like, "Hey guys, this burrito. is good that mama's bl. mommy. Mommy are our white tuxedos.".

You know, I love eating. I love eating and I and I'm a shoveler. into my mouth and so it just sometimes. it spills on me and that's okay cuz it's. an expression of joy. I love that you love eating. I eat. quickly. I unhinge my mouth, get it in, and swallow it. And I don't enjoy it. You have to enjoy it. I know. But will you agree that. Yeah. Yeah. It's just. Yeah. I've got I've got to get rid of that. I'm getting better. But that just get to.

the grave mentality. Get this food in and then get to bed. And. I like, you know, for me it's like a I I. swear I feel like after every bite I. sometimes I can hear in my brain going. yum yum yum yum yum and then I'll do it. again and I'll be like yum yum yum. You know I can tell when Sona's liking. her food is that she'll have a knife and. fork and if she's really liking it, she. conducts a little bit while she's. chomping. She's like and then she I can. see her I've seen her conducting an.

orchestra that's not there cuz she's. really liking her food. You do that. I. really like people in cartoons do that. That's nice. I like that. Yeah, you should be more like me. I should You know what? I've always. You should aspire to love the food you. eat as much as I love. and love life. Yeah, I do. As much as you do. You're Zorba, but Yeah. Okay. All right. Oh, you are. You're Zorba the Armenian. Okay. Also quarter Greek. And also quarter Greek. You're Zorba the. quarter Greek, I think. And you you get to like eat. such delicious food. I feel like Okay.

All right. Never mind. Whenever the. waiter brings it over, I'm like, "Let's. just," he starts to say, "Now, let me. tell you what we did with the food." And. I'm like, "Let's get it in me.". Grave waiting. Sir, what we do here, it's very. beautiful. We infuse the the olives. Just push it in the hole and open the. casket and shut it. My god. So someone else can live. I want to give up my spot.

That's me. I don't know what my problem. is, but that's always been me. From now on in your head, just go yum. yum yum yum. yum yum yum yum yum yum. Conducting. conducting an orchestra that isn't. there. What about you, girl? You seem. like someone who can live You live life. You enjoy it. Uh, you know, I'm more like I mean, more. like you, but lately I've been more like. you, but I wish I could say it was cuz. it's like ah life. It's more stress. I'm. like finding in my 20s it was weed, my. no my 30s it was weed, 40s was alcohol, and 50s is food is how I cope.

Oh, kind of like I've used up all those. other ones, you know. So now I love. food. Yeah. But it's like a stress co. You skipped heroin. That's my my 60s. Heroin in your 60s. never a bad idea. This message brought. to you by. yesterday. I was having lunch with my. friend and I had to come here for got to. I had to come here and I had a p I there. was a piece of sourdough on the table. and I was like should I take it with me. and then I did and I just came here just. shoving a a giant little uh thing slice.

of sourdough in my face. So you walked down the street holding. the sourdough that you were taking from. the table. Huge slice of sourdough. And I was like. is this a normal thing to do to just eat. a giant piece of bread? Okay. That's kind of Parisian. You know, you're walking some bread. Yeah. You. were walking along the banks of the Sen. here in Larchmont. Yeah. And there was someone. Did you pass an. old man playing the accordion? I know. Did you pass a painter painting a nice. landscape? A mime. A mime. We went too far. Yeah. A lot of stereotypes.

Well, anyway, uh I'm going to try I do. think I should try and be more like you, even if it means the occasional spill. Okay. Enjoy life, live life. Tide. It's the. stick that can help anyone but Sona. My guest today has starred in such. movies as it mama in Rogue One, a Star. Wars Story. You can also see him in. season two of the hit Disney Plus series. Andor. I love Andor. I know you're a. fan, too, man. Yes, sir. Uh, I'm thrilled he's here today. Diego. Luna, welcome.

[Music]. You feel safe being with me? Being your friend? Yes, being my friend. I mean, I can use that, right? I've been. using it. Yeah. to get into places, to get away. with doing things that are dodgy, you. know, like, "Oh, but I'm Conan's. friend.". And they go, "Oh, of course." Now we get. it. Oh. Oh, wow. Okay. Like, I'm glad. that my name creates that much of a. sense of protection for you. Yes. Um, you live, we were just talking.

uh be before we began that you live in. Mexico City and uh in in the south or as. I say. espanol. listen um and. here's a great dynamic Eduardo Eduardo. are our. I it's not Eduardo it's Eduardo Eduardo. Eduardo. Uh, Eduardo is in a constant hell of me.

pretending that um I am fluent in. Spanish and understand the culture and. that maybe I'm I'm from uh Central. America or Mexico. Um and uh. you look it look. you can blend right in. So uh and then you immediately bonded. with Eduardo because of the the pain. As. soon as we arrive to a place, you know, as soon as you get into a place and. someone speaks Spanish, you go like, "Oh, okay. I'm comfortable now." I mean, he's going to protect. That's why you're comfortable being his.

friend. Yes. No, but obviously obviously. Yeah. What about when someone like me butchers. it in a well-intentioned way? I I It's very I mean, it makes me It. makes me feel like uh Yeah. like I've. done something good in my life, you. know, that I get to witness you trying. so hard because, you know, like the. first times I I went to your show, uh, it's it's it's you. I mean, I'm I'm I'm. freaking out always before going in.

there. Oh, you know. Yes. Just cuz I'm so scary. I'm tall, very. very white. Well, yeah. And you have an audience and. they laugh, you know, to what you say. and. or they're punished. Or they punished. No one pays them. So. they laugh at what you say and that. makes everything you say be so like so. then you're freaking out. So it's kind. of nice to see you now freaking out. trying to speak another language. Yes. Yes. Well, you did a I you and I have a bond. which is very important to me. Yes.

which is um many years ago during the. first Trump administration. uh my my staff and I when we were doing. the show at TBS and you were part of the. Sona, we went to we we worked it out. with Tel Ava. and we did a show. from Mexico City and you were a guest. and it was really a beautiful thing. I I. I I loved doing that show. I did a. monologue uh in es in espanol and got.

through it and the audience actually. kind of laughed at sort of the right. places and I think there was some pity. there. but there's some pity for. oh he's trying. he's trying he's really trying which is. how my. they were all televis actors. all the people from the t nollas were. sitting there uh didn't they look extra. cute. they were so beautiful. I did uh yeah and And it was but you. came on the show and. No, you did amazing. I I just want to. make sure people understand you really.

put yourself there which was uh. something like it needed gods. It was. like a big risk and a lot of fun to see. you really going for it. Well, you know. what was fun is the former president uh. of of Mexico came on the show and I. still they're in my office. He gave me. these boots. Holy crap. which say uh. no no no wall and then he put my. name on them and um they're fantastic. They're fantastic boots. He found out my.

size. He does good boots. I guess that's what. that's what he does. Good. His main contribution I think as the. president was he he people voted for him. because he made good boots. I'm sure he charged someone for those. boots. I mean they might be a gift to. you but not. not as a gift paid for that. Um but you know we were talking earlier. about uh we did that show and it was a. very special time and we thought.

um well those times. those times ended. Yeah. And um now in some ways it those. in some ways those times have returned. with a vengeance. and um I know you touched on it a little. bit when you first started talking about. how you feel safe being here and these. are tricky times but uh it is uh and you. know we're not the most political. podcast. We're really not a political. podcast at all. that you ha we have to. address the fact that um you and I had.

this really special time and this. special moment uh during that first. administration and then many of us. thought that we were moving past that to. maybe a a better future and uh here we. are again. Yeah. History repeats. No, and but uh. and reloaded kind of thing. No, it's uh. yeah, it's I don't know. I'm I'm I'm. shocked uh on on yeah on on many things.

of of what we're witnessing these days. And uh I the I think the the best way to. to talk about this is uh. I I don't I don't think I can fully. understand what uh some part of the. community the Hispanic community in this. country are going through. you know. the the fear and the it's like I can't. imagine I mean how that is you know that. you dedicate your life work uh to to.

build something and suddenly they tell. you they're going to take that away from. you instantly just just because of it. it's just it's quite scary yeah scary. times but. it's also uh just pointing out that we. I've been living in Los Angeles for many. years um and Matt and Sony are from Los. Angeles Um, but you live here in Los. Angeles and everybody just everybody I. work with, everybody who works with me,

everybody who helps me in any way or. helps my family in any way with you know. everything that needs to be done with. our house. There's no in in every way. every day I'm working with people who. are from Mexico or Central America or. South America. They are such a vital. They are the community in Los Angeles. This just feels like it's such a. Yeah. they're doing all the work, which is really powerful to see every.

day. And it's um. uh you know I I I have empathy because. if you're paying attention, you. understand that. feels like 80% of what's getting done. here to sustain, you know, our lives and. our culture and our community is coming. from south of the border. Mhm. So, um I didn't mean for things to get. this heavy this quickly cuz you're such. a funny you're such a funny guy, but I I.

think I just had a little bit of a. flashback to the times we've spoken. before and I know that this is very. important to you and you're a very uh. proud and vocal member. of of your community. And so, um, it's meaningful to me that you're. here today cuz I've been thinking about. it a lot lately and I was very happy. you're coming and it meant so much to me. that you did our show in Mexico City and. I I consider you a very special friend.

for that reason. I consider you a. special friend too, man. And I I I was. very disappointed to hear that. Uh, because every time I have to come and. promote something, I I always go like, can we go to Conan? And I'm glad we're here. So you're I'm. creating you're creating the impression. that people say no. No. Well, it's just that you don't have a. show anymore. Well, that would not be a. good move for you. We're trying to build up your career and. it's really going great for you. Conan's. the wrong move at this time.

No, you're always welcome here. Always. welcome here. I I love that now you have this new. format. I I love it. Uh and uh and it's. good we started like that. It's good we. said it because it's important. You you. cannot come to this country. you cannot. come to California. You can uh not be in. front of a microphone and not say. something about that, you know whatit. what the this community. is going through and uh and the amount. of of support and help they they need. these days, you know, they need you to.

show up. So the that that you dedicate. some some space for that means a lot. Uh. and it's a good example of what people. should be doing with microphones these. days. Um, you know, that being said, I. do miss you having a a a show on TV. because uh now I can't go there when I. have something to promote. Well, I might you can come here and uh. also I do a travel show now for Max, so. maybe we'll go someplace. Oh, can we travel together?

Oh, you know, we just did a new season. is starting in a few days and um uh. Javier Bardm did a whole episode with me. in uh in Madrid and um we're we're total. idiots, lunatics. Uh it was really fun. and silly and. he's a fun guy. He is a really fun guy. And so and I'm. thinking you and I we'll find a we'll. we'll find a way to go and do it. I. mean, you did do a travel show with me. because that was the Mexico City show,

but in this new HBO uh Max format, it. would be really fun to do something with. you. So, we'll do it. I would love to. I'm going to bring you to Northern. Ireland. Ex. where you'll feel right at home. Well, I'll tell you one thing. You're. you're not going to you're not going to. believe it, but I am half Scottish. I did know that. Okay. I did know that. My mom was uh born in Scotland and and. Scottish family. I have a a big British family. Uh and I.

I've never done I've never traveled. through Scotland looking for my roots. So, this is perfect. That's perfect because. um and now I have to pay you for the. idea. I did had the idea right. You got it right. Okay. Eduardo. edit.

I wonder what the word could be. Um but. uh no that would be that would be. fantastic. I know that uh cuz I was I. was reading about your family. I know. you your mom you lost your mom at a very. early age. Uh and your father this fascinates me. Your father was a set designer uh for. everything for theater for opera for you. know movies anything. And so you grew up.

it's no accident. I mean, I'm sure it's. part of it. You're extremely talented. obviously, but you grew up in a house. where your dad would be building sets in. the house that had to inform your sense. that, oh, life is magical and mysterious and. there's different. My dad is building weird sets for operas. in the house. That would maybe think. make you think this is a world I could. inhabit. Definitely. and and I saw things go from. like a quick drawing to like a model.

thing to then suddenly like a gigantic. set you know uh there's a there is a. film called Santa Sangre uh and I was. very young that's why I remember Santa. sangre because it made a huge impact um. it's a hodorski film and uh my father uh. was uh was working there as the yeah the. art director and uh there there's this. moment where an elephant dies, you know, and there's and I I I was with with half.

of the head of the elephant and the. trump uh you call them trunks. Trunk. Trunk. Yeah, trunk. Trunk. Oh, good. I just said Trump, right? Damn it. He's the other end of the elephant. Cut to 1930s audience applauding. Very well done, Matt. Very well done. I'm sorry. I'm sorry to bring that. Uh I. I wasn't trying. So and and the because.

the thing I there's a moment where blood. is coming out of the trunk. Uh and uh so I but I had the piece of. the prop, the gigantic thing in my in my. living room for months, you know. I was. interacting with that thing. It's like the sand worm. Exactly. From Dune. as well, Dune. Yeah. Well, exactly. Uh so it's um it's uh it. was quite quite a thing and and my. father at the same time because you. always everything you do somehow at that.

age is to piss off your parents. No. Uh so my father like he he he loves. actors and he works for actors to. suddenly use his sets but he always. complains about what they do you know. He would he would always say like oh the. actor never gets in the light where you. know I put a light here and he stands. there then I move the light and he. stands in the other side or like they. d them actors. these d them actors don't know how to. use the ramp in the st in the in the.

theater or blah blah blah so I decided. to become an actor also to piss him off. and then intentionally stand in the. wrong spot. Exactly. Exactly. But uh yes, it was and. and to be honest, it was more I I never. had like the moment where I went like, "Oh, I wanna I want to be an actor. because of what happens on it was just. about being part of his world and uh. make sure no one would take him away. from me, you know, like uh and and and. also because school was boring and it.

was nice to feel I could be around. adults that were acting like kids, you. know, that's that's what theater. represented for me. Like these adults. are are much more fun than the kids in. school. These adults, these crazy adults. pretending to be someone else telling. stories, playing games, like spending. all day in this fantasy world. It's like that old idea of running away. with the circus. Yeah. There's a my reaction to getting. into comedy and when I was 18 19 and.

seriously thinking about it was wait a. minute this can be a job. I just assumed. that I my job had to be something that I. hated. that you know I have to go and do. something serious and it's going to be. something I hate but then I can be fun. with my friends uh and my family when I. go home. And the idea that that this. could be uh a profession was insane to.

me because I'm from Boston, Massachusetts. Nobody's doing that. It. was a very strange feeling. But I know. that idea that of course I'd rather do. this than go to school or memorize. something or take a test. And also it's. it's a family that shares a passion. And. that is like such a difficult thing to. find. You know, imagine a a Christmas. dinner. where everyone talks about something. that matters to the other, you know, because Christmas are like, "Oh my god, here the uncle, the drunk uncle again. Oh now he's going to tell the.

story of but imagine you care about what. they're talking about and you really. want to be around that gang and and. that's how it feels in. in these communities, you know. Uh, also. my my mom passed away when I was 2 years. old, but she was a costume designer and. a painter and she worked with half of. the people I grew up working with. So on. a way it was her love stories that were. around me, you know, and all these. people trying to to to be their best. because they knew my mom wasn't around.

So suddenly everyone like was like. feeling for my mom, you know, somehow I. got all these crazy interesting mothers, you know, that were like actresses or. directors or Yeah. designers and they. were all like very into making my life. nice and easy and fun and it was it was. the best. You've said that you had a. real connection. uh with women always and and this what. you're saying may have been the.

introduction to it, but that women would. befriend you and confide in you. um and trust you and you were that guy. growing up. Oh yeah. Yeah. which sometimes I was that way a. little bit and I would. I take it a little bit of as an insult. You know, Conan, we don't see you as a. sexual threat. Yes. You don't even seem like a man to us. So, um we're very comfortable. I'll. braid your hair, you braid mine, and.

we'll tell you all our secrets. And. there was a time there where I thought, "This is this is uh insulting, but I'm. still happy.". Yes. No, I never felt I was being. insulted. Yeah. Not at all. And I do I do connect with. that definitely. Yeah. Uh yes. Yes. And and always also there. was stories you could tell. No, I mean. uh because I was having a a a life that. no other uh kid was having. So I could. talk to you about stuff no one else.

could. Yeah. So it was fun, I guess. Uh that that's a. nice way in. Then uh it's quite. frustrating to have to go back home and. uh and say like, "Oh, no, she's now with. a boyfriend." Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. We were we have this great. deep connection, but she doesn't see me. that way. She's with this other guy. That happened to me like from Yeah. Like. for a year or two of my life. Yeah. Then things got better. Are you still.

Are you still there? because you look. very you look very. well. Things never got better. I do have. a wife. I love her and we've been. together a long time, but she also does. not see me as a sexual person. You're the mayor of friend zone. I'm in the friend zone. That's a. I have a very healthy marriage, but I'm. in the friend zone with my wife of 23. years, and I don't know how that. happened. And we have two children, but. uh who knows how that happened. Um, for.

your wedding, you guys get just gave. each other friendship bracelets. Exactly. Yeah. Exactly. Instead of kissing after you high five. We high five. Um, do you take this. friend to be your friend? And do you. take this friend to be your friend? I'm. curious about I know the breakout for. you was uh that beautiful, terrific. movie uh it mama and that How old were. you when you did that film? That's probably the best Spanish I've. heard from you. Really? Wasn't he?

Yes. Didn't he say? Okay. Okay, guys. If we call it out. every time I manage to get it kind of. right, it makes it worse. Okay. Good job, Cody. That was cute. Oh my god. This is This is quite like a structure. Your show is about them making fun of. you the whole time. Is that here? When you guys leave. though, he he comes at us. But you don't record that. Therefore,

like the actual Oh. Oh, God. We record. it. No, I am very comfortable being I'm one. of six uh children in my family. I have. many brothers and sisters. So, being. mercilessly made fun of is in my DNA and. I I actually s in a sick somochistic. way. I like it. Um but uh but. yeah, sorry. No, no. I was saying that. that that was How old were you when you. made that film? you were. I was 19 I think when when we did that. film and uh and.

that kind of changed I mean you. obviously theater was a big part of your. life and theater still is a big part of. your life but that must have been a huge. change for you. I was doing I was doing yeah because I I. was very uh comfortable and in Mexico. and I didn't even think it was possible. to actually start like. moving around and and and and uh. traveling with my work and finding new. audiences like I was pretty comfortable.

doing cinema that was very small. We had. an industry that was doing 10 to 12. films a year back then. Uh so it was. very small. Your your family would watch. it and someone in a festival probably. but that was it. Uh but I had theater. and I was doing TV to support myself. I. was living by Yeah. What kind of TV did you do? Oh, like the. last did you do no? The last tel nolla I. did I it was just right before it mama. because I was 19 years old. I remember.

that day as like the day I stopped doing. ten nollas. Uh I'm never going to forget. but I started really like at 12. I I. worked on the first tel nolla. So it was. good seven years of my life. I um. occasionally will be talking to someone. from. Mexico. This happens a lot. They'll they. they uh and and we'll be chatting and. they'll want to know. They know that I. work in television. They've seen clips,

but I always say to them, well, I did a. tel nolla. cuz I did it when I was in and I was in. I think it was the something Maladixion. I forget what it's called. Maldic. Yeah. That's close. It's more like. you. You'll get it. Oh, Edardo. Okay. Um, get it later. Yeah, I know. He just. needs a little more time under my. tutelage. Wow. Yeah, I'll teach you how. to do it in a Boston accent. Uh, but but no, um, they wrote a part.

for me and they were really funny. They. wrote apart for me as a cheese merchant. Mhm. Um, and they gave me a mustache and I. come in and I have this scene where I'm. getting very angry and it's this. one of the most beautiful women I've. seen in my life. The women in these the. men are so good-looking. This woman was. took my breath away. She was so. beautiful and you can see the clip. online and she there's a point where I'm. getting very angry with her and I'm I'm. it's all in Spanish and I'm yelling at.

her in Spanish. You do not treat me this. way. Yeah, I will not be. And she puts. her hand out and she touches me and I. guess they have a name for it in tel. nollas which is the thunderbolt or. something where. a woman touches a man and suddenly they. have that moment of connection and it's. such a soap opera thing. It is. But she I'm yelling at her and she. touches me and I look at her and they. cut to her. and she suddenly feels this emotion. which by the way she would never feel in. real life. And the crowd went crazy. this crap, they go crazy. And it's one of my. favorite moments from my career and I I.

love to show it to people I talk to. I'm. constantly calling it up on my phone and. saying, "Check this out." And my wife is. like, "You're not making them watch. You're telling them." I'm like, "This is. Pedro. and this is Jose." And they I'm just. showing it to them. And they always But. uh I. It's so funny because it all depends on. the perspective, right? I'm trying to. disappear everything that's out there. from the work I did in noas. N. you were a kid. You were you were a. young man. Yeah, I I I was 19. I was still doing t.

nollas. Uh and there was a few No, there's a few that I'm more proud of. than the others. But uh but it is a big. thing and uh and and it was one I grew. up in in theater where they would see. like they would like judge you if you. were going to to to work on a tel nolla. But the point came where every actor had. to be in both things, you know, to. survive, you know, theater wouldn't be. enough to pay your your rent and and and. an actor would be doing tel nollas in.

and and theater in in at night and uh it. was quite a thing and and and you can. tell like what happens with the. popularity, you know, in tel nollas like. you are doing one and you're very. popular, but another one comes and. everyone forgets immediately. You know, it's that kind of thing where because. it's. what some people have said too about. being in soap operas or tel nollas is. that if you're playing the bad guy, people in the supermarket who see you.

are mad at you. They uh they're like, I don't I don't. like what you're doing. And you're like, no, no, that is a role that I'm playing. So, yes, they people take it very. seriously become part of their lives. Obviously, I mean, and and things have. changed. I think in the 90s and early. 2000s like the TV was always on, you. know, in in in in many homes and you. were there, you were part of their. everyday's life, you know, it was like. telen nollas. There was the ones that. were meant to be playing while you're. doing something else also, you know, and.

and that's why they repeat them over and. over the same scene, you know, because. you're not really paying attention. sometimes, you know, but television was. really important for audiences. Not. these days now. Now people are more like. into searching for what they want to be. consuming. You know, there was a time they they uh it's a. great term for it here where people are. siloed. Everyone's in their own little. tube watching all the stuff that they. just want to see. They're not connected. to each other.

Yeah. The bubble. No, you live in this. You're in your own little bubble and. you're watching and all the content is. catered just to you. If you're online, you're seeing everything that you would. want to see. as opposed to uh when I was. growing up the uh obviously I'm much. older than everybody here but it was uh. TV was there's three four channels and. sometimes the only thing and and you had. to wait for what was what had good. reception because we didn't have cable. So sometimes the channel that had.

something good on you wasn't coming in. and then you'd flip the channel and it's. a Catholic mass. You're like, "Oh my. god, but it looks good. It's coming in. I guess we'll watch this and hope a. gunfight breaks out." Um. Jesus, never did. But but you're right, you. were forced to be be exposed to things. like old movies, things that you. wouldn't watch normally because that was. what was on television. Yeah. What's. fascinating to me about your career is. that you have this very bohemian.

background, theater, um, small movies, artouse. movies, and then you're in what's. arguably one of the best of the Star. Wars franchise films, Rogue One, and. that's got to just. change everything. I mean, it's and then. it's led to, you know, today you're here. because Andor is out with the second. season. A show I love, by the way. It's. fantastic. And I'm not even a Star Wars.

person, per se, but I love it. I think. it's such a great It's a beautifully. told story. And so now you find yourself in this. world of a huge international audience. in and and the power of the Star Wars. franchise behind you. It's such a you. weren't setting out. You weren't looking. for that. No, not at all. Not at all. And and also. because it would have been painful. There was no room, you know. I grew up. watching these films, but I never.

thought I I mean I I never saw someone. like me there. I never thought it was. possible and I didn't even want to like. I was doing theater really happy. Yeah, it was when it when I did it to Mambian, I started traveling with my work and it. was suddenly I realized there was a. community that it was really close to. me. uh you know in the states for. example when I went the first time to. Sundance uh I realized there was people. that struggled the same way I struggled. to work uh on film you know the the. Hollywood wasn't a thing like a.

Hollywood like Hollywood was just like a. that there were different subsets. communities. yeah independent cinema theater people. doing cinema but theater and then cinema. again and struggling to get financing. for their movies and finally getting it. and having very little resources or have. to like with creativity solve things and. all of that. I I started finding those. connections in in the states in London, in Spain and suddenly was like, "Okay,

great. I can keep doing what I what I. do." And when when when I was asked to. do Rogue One uh or or to go into the. process of of doing auditions for Rogue. One, the director said to me, I want to. do a film in this universe that tonally. it it feels very realistic, close to. what you guys did in it. And I was like, what? Are you okay, man?

Exactly. Who was saying this. specifically? Gareth Edwards, the the the director who. I I I owe him being here talking about. Andor because he had the idea. He he he. shot in Mexico film. He loved it to Mama. Tamben and he was crazy enough to think. that there was a room for me in that. project. I couldn't really believe it. I. I make the joke a lot of times about. like I I was sitting there going like. what does he want from me? Does he have. want the number of an actor or like does.

he want me to help him with G or what. what you know I don't even speak English. you know I mean what what is this about. and and he was like very honest and. saying like and he got an amazing cast. of of people that were doing the cinema. I was doing but in their context you. know Felicity Ra Matt Miklson like it. was a cast of like people that were. doing tiny films in their countries and. and and and and dramas that that that.

were all about the the the the. storytelling and and anyway, so I went. into doing that and and I I freaked out. I was like, "Wow, this is amazing. because I can still be myself." And I I. have to thank Yeah. Lucas Film and and. and Disney and everyone because they. gave us the the tools, but then the. freedom too, you know? So, it felt like. I was just on a set of a film that I've. been my whole life. I felt the same. freedom. I didn't feel like, oh we.

have to now behave differently because. we're doing this gigantic project. Well, I think that also the moral of the story. is sometimes a big popular movie can be. fantastic. Yeah. Do you know what I mean? There's a it it. it there have integrity. Yes. There can be a reverse snobbery. sometimes of, oh, this is a popcorn. movie. This is going to be huge. Everyone's going to love it. Um, no. Yes, people are going to love it. A lot. of people are going to see it. It's a. big franchise. uh but um and it's now.

this television uh series is and it is. um beautifully acted. The story is so. well told and what's so fascinating to. me is Cassian, your character, it makes. sense to me because of the story, the. backstory of of Rogue One is he comes. from this other place and he doesn't. belong. And so. there's something that lines up very. neatly with someone coming from,

in your case, Mexico, you know, uh, and. you are coming from a different land and. trying to struggle to figure out what. your place is in it. So it's all, it all makes sense, but it takes someone. with vision to see that and go, "We got. to get Diego Luna." And 99.9% of the. people in the room would say, "What are. you talking about? That's that's exactly. what what Garrett. including me. I'd have mixed it. I'd. have I'd have they did call me because I. had worked with you and I said I think.

it's a mistake. It's a mistake. He's very good. I said I'm more. but. I said I I'm more of a Cassian when you. think about it. And they did some tests and apparently. not good. No, you don't fit in the cockpits also. like. my head. They had to cut a hole through. the spaceship. No, but it is. So I I I did realize on. on the process uh and of on the process. of of Rogue One and then Andor uh that.

it was more my prejudice. speaking, you know, that because. I think Andor is a it's a it's a great. example of of of a of u of how things. should be done. You know, it's like a it. is a gigantic project. It it has a a. wonderful and very diverse reach. uh but. but the way they did it is the way they. do the films I love you know we we we. are there uh because there's a. perspective a point of view uh which is. the the creators Tony Gilroy the amazing.

writer and producer and director uh that. is behind this and we're following a. leader and a voice and uh and if you. commit to that then that's integrity. that's where integrity comes from you. know and then this thing can fly and be. huge you Uh, and obviously we all get. it. I mean, we're part of a community. People really want to see this. People. really want this to be good and they're. expecting the best out of you and you. have to bring it. But, uh, but it it had.

that kind of like that sense of like, okay, we're working for a vision, you. know, from beginning to end. And, uh, and I I. was really pleased. And And then many people many people. like think your life changes because of. being part of a project like that, right? And it's true, but not in the way. probably that people imagine. You know, it it changes because like I'm a. different person. I went through a. revolution myself with this project. I'm. part of a community. I got to work with.

people that are as talented as it gets. and I got to learn. But then you go back. to your life and your life is the same. Yes. you know, I I I go back and I want. to do a tiny little film about this. particular event or or or character and. I don't go out there and find money to. do it. You know, they go like, "Oh, no, that one. No, not for that one." You. know, Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, it doesn't change. in a in a way that's refreshing. It is. because you can still be yourself and.

and you can go through an experience. like this and and be transformed in a in. the best possible way, but then also go. back to who you were without having to. to to Yeah. to leave something behind or. or don't Yeah. to avoid being um being. back, you know, as if it was a bad. thing. To me, it's the opposite. Great. I've always found it very in a. way refreshing that I'll have a moment. I'll have a moment that's supposedly.

like a big moment or something in my. career and then the next day someone. will say oh I saw you you know host the. Oscars last night and then you did a. really good job. but I'll say thank you very much and. they'll say and you can't park there. exactly. and um uh and I go oh oh I'm sorry and. you're like oh good nothing's it's. gravity gravity is always acting on you. You don't have to renounce to be. yourself ever, you know. Uhuh. And if. you have to, then you're in the wrong.

place. Then you're doing it for the. wrong reasons, right? But uh but you can get to the end and. say like, "Yes, I'm still I'm still that. person with the same needs and and and. hopes and and uh dreams, you know, it. never stops the um. uh well, I want to seed the floor to. Matt for a second because Matt is uh um. a huge. He's falling asleep. No. No. No. No. I'm. just so relaxed listening you guys talk. I'm serious. I could all day. I don't. know that you should see. But I just It's only fair and right.

because Star Wars and the and all of it. means so much to you and this is. I know that you have raved about you. I. mean when you saw Rogue One just you. thought that oh they've really they've. really it's they've made a beautiful. beautiful movie. Um, and. particularly Andor and Rogue One and. what you and Tony Gilroy and all the. other actors are doing is so damn. enjoyable and so good. I mean, it's just that's all I have to. say. No, but I mean you were you were.

you were in a a very happy place today. uh because uh Diego was coming in and I. know um I've what what I've noticed. about andor is that I don't again there. are some. uh shows in that are part of a big. franchise that kind of demand you know X. Y and Z and um I remember going to see. when I was a kid. my brother Luke and I went to see the.

movie Dune this with K Mccclaclin in. whatever it was 1980 or something at the. Hearthstone Plaza theater which isn't. even a theater anymore. I think it's a. pot dispensary cuz everything that I. grew up with is now a pot dispensary. except the pot dispensary is now an ATM. Um but uh but I remember we got there. and they handed you a little booklet. that you had to read before you could. watch the movie that explained okay this. is the and I thought what the is. this? I think that's just because what. David Lynch did to that story, you know, God bless his soul. Um, but anyway,

I like him, don't get me wrong, just insane. You and your anti-David. Lynch propaganda, I won't have it. But, um, but what I love about Andor is you can. know absolutely nothing. and it's just great storytelling. Really. great storytelling and terrific acting. And then. um, and you get to sit in a TIE fighter. What's that like? Yeah, we got to that. You be quiet. The TIE fighter. Yeah, it's a it's a. special prototype, right? That I'm.

It was It was fascinating because things. actually work. and uh. You guys can go. We got this. No, I want to hear. So, when you say. things actually work, what do you mean? You you turn on the a button and a light. comes on. uh the the screens are showing. you, you know, information you can. relate and communicate, you know, with. with the object like it's it's we and. and I don't know, I mean, I'm not sure.

how they do every every Star Wars show, but uh ours is very mechanical. It's. very much like um a homage to to the. film making that started the whole. thing. You can feel it, you know. And so. we are interacting with props with real. pieces of of of yeah of uh the stage is. is real is built. Uh you you have to. wait till it's built. You have to use it. and then they bring it down. You know, there's a whole process and there's a.

whole design behind things. Things don't. get decided later. You know, they don't. tell you like just turn buttons and. pretend you're flying and then we'll. figure it out. No, there's a reason. There's things on the right and things. on the left. If you move this forward, it it has to be like this. And also you. you there's someone behind the design. So there's someone defending the design. and telling you and walking you through. what you are about to use, you know. Therefore, it's it's like actually. happening and you're in a platform that.

actually moves. So you turn right and. the thing moves right, left, down, up. You know, if you're hit, it shakes. Uh, have you ever like your father where. you're just like, "Oh, he's messing up. my designer.". Many times. I'm sure that happened. Uh, many times. And some and sometimes you. have screens in front of you. So, you. are looking at what's what's going to be. there, you know, somehow. Uh, so it is a. the the putting together of the of the. show takes a long time because there's a.

lot of work behind everything. And uh. and and that again is because it it has. to do with the vision. The way Tony. writes is very special. You'll you'll be. interested in this. Like he he doesn't. write a scene where they go like, "Okay, they're doing a podcast in a studio and. uh and he sits down with the set. designer and says, "Okay, how big is the. studio?" Okay. And they design a studio. and a piece of paper, you know, and they. go like, "Okay, they'll have a table. with four microphones. Over there is. going to be the computer. there's three.

seats there. So when he's writing the. scene, he's describing a space that. already exists and that is been designed. for this. Therefore, everything has a reason. Everything has. a purpose and things are already. designed when he's writing and and he's. the master, I believe, of collaboration. because somehow in that moment, it's not. just his material, it's also the. production designer's material because. his vision is already in in the page. Yeah. you know, uh, so when you get to. the place and you read a line and a.

direction, it makes sense. You go like, "Oh, okay. I get it now. I get it.". But it informs it it informs it's a. collaboration between because your. acting then is a it's a collaboration. between all this work that's happened. before you even show up to set. Definitely. And um you know, one of the. things that uh. always because I'm old enough to. remember what it used to be, science. fiction used to be shiny and clean, meaning spaceships always were kind of.

shiny and Buck Rogers everything. And. people wore these immaculate space suits. and that was what we knew as science. fiction. And if you watch 2001, that's. how it is. And then I want to say. Bladeunner was kind of a revelation. because things. as we all know in real life cars are. rusty or dirty or banged up or dented. And um and then in Star Wars you saw. that things are kind of retrofitted. They're kind of holding it together with. tape. Yeah.

You know, the Millennium Falcons got. some problems. Uh some of the the the. robots or the droids are kind of dirty. they've been banged around a little bit. Um, and I remember that being a real. revelation. And what you really see in. in Andor and in Rogue One too is is also. just this idea that stuff these are. machines that get used, they have to be. fixed, they have to be repaired, people are there's dirt everywhere, things get up, and that informs.

the story a lot. Do you know what I. mean? Clearly it's. me. It makes it very different than the. science fiction I grew up with. Yeah. Mhm. It's just so tactile the. world that you guys have created and you. know you just feel like it all exists. for real. How much of it is on location. or at least exterior, right? Cuz the. wind's blowing and it doesn't feel like. a studio or anything. It's all Cleveland. All of it. And and you don't have to do. anything to Cleveland. It just looks.

like a you know. we the first the first season we had in. mind was uh it was going to be a shoot. that we were going to travel uh around. the world hoping to to be in amazing. locations and and again uh be a homage. to film making. you know, allow the. accident of the real location to come. part of to be part of of of the result, you know, and the creative process to be. influenced by what happens when you're. out there and and you can't control.

everything. But then uh the covid the. the covid came and we had to we had to. adjust and uh we we did a very a show. that happened mostly on studio because. we we had to be there you know and we. started building things in the studio. and they build ferics completely like. the whole town and it's a town like you. can get lost in ferics I mean Adrea. talks about getting lost in ferics and. it did happen like you can It's it's.

it's so wonderful and but it's again. it's a design that that Luke Hall did. next to Tony and Tony understood the. logic of that city perfectly and then. started writing for the city and the. city gave you everything gave you alleys. big streets uh stores food you know the. restaurants the hotel the the the place. where where you would need to hide are. do exist and they're the size for you to. actually play that scene there. you.

don't have to like, you know, you can. shoot in order and allow things to. actually happen. Um, that's how we we. did the first season. Then we went to. Scotland for for a bit when we were. allowed to travel and uh to the. mountains and it was beautiful. And. again, you can't control everything. There's a scene where where where we are. supposed to be in the top of the. mountain seeing where we're going to hit. the next day to to to do the the big. robbery, you know, and uh we get to the. mountain, there's just a you can get in cars to.

one point and then we had to walk and we. get with all the equipment to the top of. the mountain and there's a huge cloud. not moving. Oh no. And we go like, "Oh god." And it. signifies those scenes. You know, you. have a a scene with Nek talking about. how how much fear he has for what's. coming and uh and it adds because yes, I'm scared too. We we can't even see. where we're going. This is crazy, you. know, but the scene just just becomes.

that scene. There's no telling. There's no telling. the cloud, hey, this is Lucas. Lucas film. I mean, come along, cloud. Exactly. Kathleen Kennedy send a a note. that would No, it's not. And and and the. and the beauty of this is that it brings. all the attention to where it has to be. Everyone is you know like focused on. okay how do we tell the story? How do we. tell the story? Because also we know the. story by by that point. There is no. there is a secrecy you know out of the.

bubble. But for us we're all very much. invested in the same story that Tony. Gilroy wants to tell you. That's great. I'm just sad this is the. last season. Right. Is it? Well, sad but relieve. No. Yes. Also, because it's hard for you. No. No. No. But not not in terms of. like, oh, I I I want to be at home. No. It's just like it's it's it's not easy. to to get something right. So, when it happens, it's nice that you. keep it that that big.

Let me put it this way. I think TV is. has brought great things. You know, it's. a great place for for young talents to. find their voices. It's uh it's. wonderful. It's taking all the risks. cinema stop taking uh you know which is. great. but there's one thing I I don't like. which is things start without knowing. where they're going to end. Yeah. You want everyone's talking about the. next season and probably there's another. one and there's an anxiety of like how. much more can we achieve.

Yeah. And it's nice to start something knowing. where it ends. Mhm. there therefore you throw. everything in, you know, you put. everything there and if you succeed, you. celebrate and if you don't, you learn. and you try again. But but knowing the. ending of the the the story allowed us. to to yeah to work this tough and and. and and in detail in all those layers. that you can bring in. Uh but I remember.

we we sat down in the first season half. the way of the shoot uh in Scotland um. Tony and I and and and he was like we. can't do five seasons of this. Like it. takes two years and a half of our lives, you know, I'm going to be 60 years old. pretending I'm the guy I was, you know, in 2016. Impossible. Yeah. So, how do we do this? and and he came. up with the idea of doing these four. blocks because our goal was let's let's. tell the story of the five years before.

Rogue One uh and then finish this story. the the moment Rogue One starts, right? That was the goal. So he came up with. this idea of like in the second season. move through four years of the life of. these characters and get to the point. that we promised at the beginning. And. that was such a relief because then. suddenly we understood that it was. possible that we had to aim for another. three and a half years of work but we. were gonna make it, you know, which is great because that's what Rogue.

One does is it goes right up to the end. before Star Wars too. So they all just. connect so seamlessly. It's a pre Rogue One is a prequel. Then. we did a prequel and it's Yeah. So this. is the prequel of the prequel, right? A repeat. Yeah, exactly. The um. we got very technical now. Suddenly. everyone's like, "Oh, no.". I do think this is like, and I appreciate that little tangent, by. the way. Thank you. Yeah. No, it wasn't little at all. And. um and you're and you're fired. You're. fired. You'll now work with you'll.

you'll go with. Diego. Okay. Yeah. He's now you live with him now. Um I do think people talk I don't eat a. lot. Just work. You live with him. People um I like that Diego has no say. in it either. one said so and then bunk. beds. You're in Mexico City in bunk. beds. Oh, good night, Matthew. Just one more thing about Cassidy. Go to sleep. You know, it does um people talk about.

this a lot, but and and it can almost. sound like a cliche, but it's so. powerful. to that when you said. um you didn't see yourself in any of the. Star Wars in the Star Wars world when. you were growing up and it seemed like. an impossibility to you that someone. like you coming from where you know from. Mexico City could be in that world. Um, and.

think of how powerful that is to. millions of kids who are seeing you in. this franchise. And what's fascinating. is that it has um, your role has. absolutely nothing to do with the fact. that you grew up in Mexico. Do you know. what I mean? It has nothing to do with. that. You're just a great actor. And so. it's fascinating to me that you weren't. cast as the Mexican guy who is you are. just there doing great acting and that.

is phenomenal. I think that just. the more that happens in different. cultures. I I can't prove it but I feel like it's. the. it's it's the answer to a lot of our. problems. Well, yeah. That's maybe me being overly. optimistic and I I don't mean but but. the more. uh generations grow up with integration. of different people in different roles.

and they grow up admiring that person. and they be like, "Yeah, man. Diego Luna, I love that character in. that in that franchise.". It's it's getting it's moving the puzzle. piece a little forward, I think. Unless. I'm being crazy. Oh, I agree with you. I think it's uh I. if I think about the reference I grew up. uh you know watching following and and. hoping one day I could like be like them. compared to the ones that are my kids. are growing up with it feels it feels.

much diverse interesting reach today you. know and things are are changing and and. getting there uh and I always like I I. always want to bring it back to where I. I think um everything started happening. which is uh it's because of the. audience. It's because the audience. started to have a voice, you know, and. and now all these tools that we have the. they're terrible and dangerous in many. ways, but they are also very useful.

And one one very useful thing they do is. that you can send messages. you know, you click or you buy a ticket and you're. sending a message and and the industry. has to listen because they want you to. keep clicking, you know, and if you. ignore, if you decide not to click, not. to buy the ticket, you're also sending a. message. So, it's audiences who are somehow. reshaping what the industry is talking. about, what voices are there, what. stories get to be made. It's still a.

process. We're not there yet. But uh but. the idea I grew up like watching those. films where every decision in in the. movie business was made behind the desk. and someone was like this is what they. want to see. Big cigar, you know, big cigar. That's what we're going to do. See? Exactly. You got it right. And today. it's not like that. Today is people at. home, you know, clicking or not. clicking, paying attention or not paying. attention. So if we as audience act with. responsibility the responsibility that. this you know tool uh brings or gives.

you uh we we are we are having something. to say on this industry that somehow for. a a long time it didn't seem to talk to. us you know and now it is. so I think it's I think it's cool I. think I'm I'm part of something big you. know I see many people coming from where. I come from having an opportunity You. were just talking about how cool it was. to travel with Javier in in Spain. I. mean, it is happening. It is happening.

somehow. And um. and again, I think we can we can be. really proud because it's a moment where. you can you can be yourself. You know, I. grew up I grew up with people telling. me, "Are you going to work on your. accent? Are you going to clean your. accent?" And I was like, "Clean your. well? I mean, why do you think it's. dirty or what? What's wrong with my. accent? My accent is mine, might not be. yours, but you know, but when I was 20, that was the thing is like, okay, you're. doing great. What if you start working. on your accent and you start sounding.

like these other people and you can. start doing what they can do? And today. is a moment where that is changing, I. think. I mean, I'm I'm here because I I. bring what I am, you know. Yes. And. that's what got me here. Uh I might not. be there and not there, but I'm here. because. you're exactly where you you're exactly. where you're supposed to be and where. you should be. Yeah. And and that's kind. of like a a cool idea and message. and also things are happening where. sometimes you can do something. in another context that not even.

thinking of traveling and and that can. resonate with someone here or in Europe. or in you know Japan or whatever. And so there's a also like a a respect. and and a and a search for a specificity. that today is really cool in in the. movie making you. Well, I'm very proud. to call you a friend. I'm honored. It's. it was it was one of the great honors of. my life that you came on my show in uh. Mexico City and and blessed our kooky uh.

project there. And um just delighted. delighted to have you here and I love. what you represent. You're you're you're. an artist and you're a really good guy. and uh just a pleasure absolute pleasure. to have you here and uh please come back. and let's have an adventure together. I'll take you to Scotland. Um. Scotland, so much water. It's. incredible. Scot that is not what the tourist bureau. says. Scotland. So much water. Um but.

also I think. it's so green, man. It is beautiful. I. um and also I accept your invitation uh. to return to Mexico City and appear on a. tel nolla with you and uh live with you. I think that was mentioned at some. point. That was mentioned. I get to live with you. No, no, I'm living. triple bunk bed. Yeah, triple bunk bed. You come too. I'm out. No. You're going to ask a lot of You're. going to wake us up at night to ask him. questions about Andor and that. is not happening. And I'm going to ask. you and I'm going to wake you up to. correct you on your accent.

in Spanish. Very, very important. No, thank you so. much because. Yeah. Yeah. This was so much fun and and. come back soon, Diego. And uh and thank. you for everything. Seriously, great to. have you here. Oh, man. Thank you. Thank. you all.