A Full Circle Moment for Jesse Garcia in Disney’s Latest Family Comedy
Jesse Garcia made a notable appearance in 2013 as an animal wrangler alongside Steve Carell in the family film Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Fast forward ten years, and Garcia steps into a leading role as Frank Garcia, a family man in the sequel, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip. Although the two films aren’t directly linked, Garcia endeavors to weave a narrative connection through a backstory where his current character worked as an animal wrangler to fund his culinary education.
Expressing excitement about working with Eva Longoria, who portrays his on-screen wife Val Garcia, Garcia reflects on their chemistry from previous collaborations, including Tell It Like a Woman. He shared with The Hollywood Reporter, “We have a similar viewpoint on life and sense of humor,”highlighting their shared experience as college cheerleaders and mutual friendships that ease their collaborative efforts.
In Very Bad Road Trip, Longoria’s character, an influential travel writer, lends her support with a luxury smartbus for the Garcia family’s journey. However, things quickly spiral out of control for Frank, Val, and their children, Alexander (played by Thom Nemer) and Mia (Paulina Chávez), along with the kids’ grandmother (Rose Portillo). Garcia values the opportunity to portray a Latine family depicted as financially stable without resorting to stereotypical narratives, stating, “It’s an important element for me.”He appreciates the representation of a typical American family facing challenges but not economic hardship.
Garcia’s career trajectory has recently taken an upward turn, as he is also filming an undisclosed role in Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming film, The Odyssey. “It’s epic,”he enthuses, recounting the groundbreaking experiences he anticipates while working under Nolan’s direction—a dream for many actors. “To get the call for a Nolan movie was incredible,”he reflects.
Insights from the Set
During an interview amidst filming The Odyssey in Greece, Garcia delves deeper into his unique journey as an actor and the delightful experiences on the set of Very Bad Road Trip. When asked about his current feelings while filming in such picturesque locations, he replied with a laugh, “I feel very lucky.”Despite the lengthy shoots and long hours, Garcia is enjoying the work.
Reflecting on luck in his acting career, Garcia candidly shares that he never aspired to be an actor as a child. He initially pursued education in computer science and exercise science on a cheerleading scholarship before making a bold decision to move to Atlanta, where he ultimately decided to pursue his acting ambitions wholeheartedly. “Some pieces fell into place without a ton of effort. It makes me think acting was destined to be part of my journey,”he remarks.
Anna Kooris/Disney
A Unique Perspective on Representation
Garcia recognizes the significance of his character’s evolution from a minor role in the first film to a comedic lead in the sequel. He describes this transition as a “cool moment”and acknowledges the collaboration with producers to incorporate subtle references linking the two films. “Frank [the chef] was an animal wrangler to pay for culinary school, which we built into his backstory,”he explains.
Discussing the contrasting portrayals of Latine families in cinema, he notes that their depiction as economically stable is a rarity. “The Garcias might not be wealthy, but they are portrayed as a ‘normal’ American family,”Garcia emphasizes. “If the story works, why can’t we be well-off too?”
Anna Kooris/Disney
Road Trip Chaos and Creative Moments
The road trip experience in the film escalates into unforeseen chaos. When prompted about his own travel mishaps, Garcia shared a story of a grueling 17-hour drive from Lincoln to Atlanta. “We were just two young people driving across the country without much of a plan,”he recounts. Additionally, he humorously recalls a disastrous trip in Texas, reminding him of classic horror movie tropes, “If you don’t fill up at this station, you’re doomed.”He laughs, remembering the absurdity of running out of gas in a desolate area.
On a lighter note, Garcia hints at the fun they had on set, including playful moments like donning Mandalorian masks for outtakes. “This truly was one of the funnest movies I’ve ever done,”he declares, noting the camaraderie among the cast.
The Evolution of the Actor’s Journey
Now shifting focus to his role in The Odyssey, Garcia speaks highly of the collaborative atmosphere, remarking, “We’re literally emptying the tank every day. It’s epic.”He remains tight-lipped about specifics of his character but expresses immense gratitude for the opportunity to work with Nolan. “It’s every actor’s dream to be on one of his sets,”he reflects.
Ultimately, Garcia’s journey from an aspiring actor to leading roles in major productions illustrates his resilience and the significance of representation in cinema. As audiences anticipate the release of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip on March 28, 2023, it’s clear that Jesse Garcia is poised for a promising future in Hollywood.
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