For actors, there is nothing better than being part of a successful blockbuster that also results in a great on-set experience. While many stars have been fortunate to enjoy a positive and favorable working environment that enhanced their performances on screen, there have also been some celebrities who have not had the best of times owing to many issues relating to their characters or their experiences off-screen which has resulted in many of them walking out of the project.
When Michelle Rodriguez signed up for Vin Diesel’s mega film franchise The Fast and the Furious, she was still only 2 films old and very much a rising star in Hollywood. The Latino actor went on to successfully star with Diesel in many of the films that made huge money at the box office. Yet when she signed on to the film, Rodriguez was completely not in tune with her role and her character.
How Vin Diesel Prevented Michelle Rodriguez From Quitting The Franchise
Hollywood action star Vin Diesel is best known as the charismatic talisman of one of the industry’s most successful film franchises, The Fast and the Furious. Also doubling up as producer for a few films, Diesel along with the late Paul Walker and Michelle Rodriguez, gave the first few installments their name and identity. Rodriguez, who became a household name through her character Letty Ortiz, was originally rather disillusioned with her role and almost did not sign on despite being offered a very lucrative payday. Speaking of the objectification of Letty Ortiz owing to her Hispanic ethnicity and gender, Rodriguez told The Daily Beast that she hated the direction her character was taking.
“Is it realistic for a Latin girl who’s with the alpha-est of the alpha males to cheat on him with the cute boy? I had to put my foot down. I basically cried and said I’m going to quit and, “Don’t sue me, please – I’m sorry, but I can’t do this in front of millions of people.” My whole point in being an actress is that I thought I got to live a dream. And I don’t dream about being a sl*t! Do you?!
Fortunately for the young actor, Vin Diesel stepped in to handle the situation and assured her that her character would rise above these preconceived judgments and that he would be instrumental in changing that. Thanks to the Marvel star’s advice and words of encouragement, Rodriguez went on to bag one of the most prominent roles of her career.
Vin Diesel Does His Part in the Actors Strike
With the Writers and Actors Strike gaining momentum day by day, many celebrities have lent their support to fight for better remuneration for creative artists while challenging the advent of AI and other technologies that are threatening to replace human effort. Among the many stars, Vin Diesel has also stood steadfast in his support of the cause. The Groot actor was seen a few months back alongside his Fast-X co-stars at a fundraiser at Universal Studios Hollywood for the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. Speaking to Sky News during the event, the actor said,
“I think we’re entering a very interesting age where we’re going to have to consider things like AI, and sooner or later we’re going to have to ask those questions. And I think putting the writers’ debate on the table is a step forward for all of us in every occupation to start anticipating or figuring out how we’re all going to adopt this new norm and this new technology”
Diesel also said that this was a step forward for the industry to progress and change its ideals which will ultimately offer writers and actors more opportunities to express their talent and be appreciated.
Source: The Daily Beast
