With roles in Blade Runner 2049 and Knives Out, Ana de Armas has quickly become a household name in Hollywood. Even though Knives Out grossed over $312 million and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, de Armas initially declined the role of Marta Cabrera.
In an interview with AnOther Magazine, de Armas revealed that she had been approached for a role in what was then called “a secret project” and given only two words to describe the character she was auditioning for: “Latina” and “caretaker.” Given the negative connotations associated with those two words in cinema, de Armas was unimpressed and repeatedly declined the offer.
The Stereotypical Latina Role
Despite being offered the role of Marta Cabrera in Knives Out, de Armas told AnOther Magazine that she was initially hesitant to play the character because she was a caretaker, Latina, and pretty.
“I was like, I do not have the energy, what is this? I said, you either tell me why this is worth it or I can’t. I passed on it twice because of that description.”
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De Armas feared her casting would perpetuate the Hollywood norm of giving Latina characters less screen time and depth.
“For a Latina in a setup like this, with a wealthy family and this cast, all I thought was, ‘What am I going to do here?’ I’ll probably be standing in a corner, not having much to say.”
When Ana de Armas read the script for Knives Out, she realized she could subvert these expectations by giving Marta Cabrera a lot of depth and complexity.
Ana de Armas’ Role in Knives Out
Marta Cabrera, the protagonist of Knives Out, is the daughter of an undocumented worker and a nurse for the affluent Thrombey family. She is described as bright, generous, and fiercely loyal to her loved ones.
Throughout the film, she is embroiled in a web of deceit and lies as she investigates the circumstances surrounding the death of her boss and friend, Harlan Thrombey.
Marta’s intelligence and quick thinking play a key role in the film’s resolution, making her a central figure in the Thrombey family drama. Given the amount of time and development given to her character, she is anything but a stock Latina housekeeper.
Many reviewers praised De Armas for portraying Marta, noting how well she portrayed the character’s complexity, Although de Armas was hesitant to play Marta at first, her role in Knives Out proved to be a turning point in her career.
The film was well-received by audiences and critics, earning over $312 million worldwide. But De Armas’ decision to initially turn down the role of Marta Cabrera shows the importance of taking a stand and standing up for one’s values. By doing so, she sent a message to Hollywood that actors are not willing to play roles that perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
Source: AnOther Magazine
