La Maquinais the tale of a Mexican boxer that takes place in Mexico and marksHulus first Spanish-language series.
It is also the first time that showrunnerMarco Ramirezwrote a script in Spanish.
He also talks about his curiosity aboutDaredevil: Born Again, after having worked on the previous Netflix series.
Image via Hulu
When and how did you come to that?
How much had you been told about it then?
What did you want to bring or add to it?
Image via Hulu
MARCO RAMIREZ: My understanding is that it started with a drunken conversation in Berlin between two buddies.
Can you help us do that?
I loved their work so much and our meeting went well.
I actually met them on my birthday.
It was a nice little birthday present.
That was basically the beginning of it.
Image via Hulu
Once I signed on, it was like, Okay, were off to the races.
Somehow this is the first Spanish-language original series at Hulu.
What does it mean to you to bring audiences that first series?
Are you surprised that its the first?
RAMIREZ: I dont know if it surprises me.
Most people have seen at least one show now that was shot in another language.
Image via Hulu
Lets go for it.
If thats what you guys want, then lets do it.
Im just really grateful to have been invited to the dance a little bit.
RAMIREZ: We all felt that Mexico City could very easily be a character in this show.
Thats what we wanted.
It felt like escaping into its own other world.
Mexico City is a fascinating place and its highly cinematic.
you’re free to point a camera in many directions and it looks great.
Theres also the frenzy of Mexico City, and the general humor.
There were just so many things that we knew we wanted to get.
The sheer size of the spectacle of how big the city actually is, its enormous.
Were asking people to come visit Mexico City for six episodes.
This is hopefully gonna be that.
Im from a Cuban family, and Cuba has its own rich boxing history, as does Mexico.
Gael and Diego are very well versed in this.
Its even bigger than our biggest superstar might be here.
The comp in the States would be difficult to find.
Diego has actually made a documentary about one of the most famous Mexican boxers.
He loves the culture so much.
I got to really understand the profound impact that these figures have had on their lives.
What was it like for you to collaborate with them and watch that happening in front of you?
RAMIREZ: It was super unique, and one that Im aware Ill probably never have again.
They play off of each other in Spanish and they finish each others sentences.
It was an absolute pleasure and a gift.
We have so many takes that ended up on the cutting room floor of them improvising.
Maybe someday well release a super long extra version of it.
It was a gift.
How did you figure out Diego Lunas look for this?
RAMIREZ: There were camera tests and all the stuff that you would go through.
Ive spent more time with the character than I have with Diego.
The actors also have one of the longest-standing friendships in Hollywood.
What was the most challenging aspect of shooting this and why?
RAMIREZ: The production team in Mexico was absolutely first class.
And then, the stuff in the big arenas was challenging.
We would have to walk 15 minutes to get to lunch or the bathroom.
We were shooting in these giant arenas.
We rented out the whole thing.
It was just massive.
It felt like we were doing the half-time show at the Super Bowl.
You either win or you lose, and this is a very natural ending to the story.
Being asked to play in the playground with this team again?
Yes, of course, I would do that.
I previously spoke to you aboutThe Defenders, when you were working on that show.
Are you curious about how theyll be continuing with those characters?
RAMIREZ: Oh, of course.
I love Charlie [Cox] very, very much.
Im very excited to see Charlie back.
Check out the trailer:
Watch on Hulu
