The friendship between Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna is reflected in the relationship between the characters in La Máquina
Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal, in an interview with PRODU, discussed the challenges of creating La Máquina (6×60′), a series that premiered on Wednesday, October 9, on Disney+. Produced by Searchlight Pictures and La Corriente del Golfo, they explained that it was a linear production, conceived like a five-hour film, under the direction of Gabriel Ripstein. “We needed to grasp the entire narrative arc to optimize our resources,” they explained, which is why the script was written in advance, though they remained open to making changes as necessary.
It’s a project they conceived ten years ago while in Berlin, where García Bernal’s passion for boxing and Diego Luna’s experience making a documentary with Julio César Chávez led them to explore the subject of boxing. This marks their first project as protagonists of a story in sixteen years. As they’ve previously mentioned, the narrative explores friendship, a theme that resonates deeply with both of them, given their close bond. While they haven’t acted together in over a decade, they’ve been partners in their production company, La Corriente del Golfo, for many years.
Coordinating the schedules of both the cast and crew was another challenge. Marco Ramírez (Daredevil) serves as the series’ executive producer and showrunner. Both García Bernal and Luna are also executive producers, alongside Gabriel Ripstein, Gerardo Gatica, Leandro Halperín, Adam Fishbach, and Kyzza Terrazas. Ripstein directs the series. Securing the necessary resources for a visually compelling production was yet another challenge.
García Bernal explained that Marco Ramírez, the executive producer and showrunner of the series, brought valuable experience in the processes required to establish a rigorous series structure and language. His meticulous approach, characterized by trial and error, was instrumental in shaping the final product. The collaborative partnership between Ramírez and Gabriel Ripstein was also crucial to the series’ success.
While some cast members have experience in the Hollywood industry, both actors emphasized that “La Máquina” is a domestic production realized by a 100% Mexican team. “It’s a product of our film family,” they commented. The series stars Eiza González and features the renowned actress Lucía Méndez.
Eiza González plays Irasema
They conceived the idea ten years ago, collaborated on its development, and then joined forces with Julián Herbert, “an extraordinary writer from Mexico whom we greatly admire,” according to Diego Luna. Once they had the script, they approached Searchlight, an American film studio owned by Walt Disney Studios. The project was entirely produced in Mexico, with physical production handled by La Corriente del Golfo, a company that also oversaw post-production.
Gael García Bernal explained that the relationship with Searchlight was crucial from the outset. “They helped us articulate our vision and find the ideal platform for the series, which ultimately became Hulu and then transitioned to Disney+. Their approach was characterized by complete freedom, trust, and support, which raised our expectations and stakes. They empowered us to realize our dream, even surpassing our initial aspirations.”
One example of the achievements facilitated by this relationship was securing the support of the boxing world. They enlisted David Diamante, the premier boxing commentator in the US, to present the fights. “They helped us achieve these kinds of things, which I doubt we could have accomplished on our own.”
The fight is not only in the ring but also the internal struggle the protagonist faces between the dilemma of continuing to be successful or not
What becomes of boxing champions when they must leave the ring? The exit is not easy. This dilemma haunts Mexican boxing legend Esteban ‘La Máquina’ Osuna (Gael García Bernal), who feels the weight of time on his body. The story offers multiple interpretations, exploring life as a metaphor for a fight, with its interplay of success and failure. It delves into the complex friendship between the boxing champion and his manager, Andy Luján (Diego Luna), who lives in the shadow of his best friend, grappling with dissatisfaction, envy, and a constant need to reinvent himself.
“Andy is a guy with many insecurities who has a complicated relationship with his mother. He lives in Mexico, rises to prominence very quickly, and makes a lot of money with his boxer and everything that entails. But times have changed, and Andy hasn’t,” said Luna.
“I liked what we achieved: how we portrayed losing as a path to gaining freedom, which contradicts much of what the world tells you about how things should be,” said Gael García Bernal.
Since it was a joint idea, they participated in the writers’ room in a unique dynamic, contributing ideas without having a formal seat in the room. “We found ourselves brainstorming certain ideas that seemed promising but were not as effective when translated to paper, or vice versa. We would sometimes pose enigmas to the writers: How do we get from point A to point B and make it work?” commented Gael García.
“It was truly unique. I find it difficult to believe that there are series like this. The fact that we planted the initial seed, contributed to its development, produced it within our company, and also acted in it… I think few production companies do that, right?” said García Bernal.
Disney+ reveló tráiler y póster de nueva serie original mexicana La máquina
