‘Dora The Explorer’ Movie Picks Up Michael Peña As The Vagabond’s Father
Even though theDora the Explorermovie feels like some kind of straight-to-television productionbased on the first look we’ve seen, the Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon project has certainly rounded up a decent supporting cast.
Isabela Moneris playing the titular character from the educational animated program that played all over Nickelodeon every morning for years. Recently,Eva Longoriawaslined up to play Dora’s mother Elena, and nowAnt-Manfranchise scene stealerMichael Peñahas landed the role of her father.Varietyhas word on theDora the Explorermovie cast adding Michael Peña as Dora’s father, who was named Cole in the original animated series, which isn’t likely to change since his wife has the same character name that she did on the series. Dora’s father is known as being a good coach and cook, as well as an exceptional father to Dora and his other kids Isabella and Guillermo.
This version ofDora the Explorerhas the character much more grown up than she was on the animated series. In the movie, Dora is a teenager who has moved into the city and must deal with the dangers of high school. But of course, adventure ends up calling Dora and her monkey Boots when her parents end up in some kind of trouble, leaving her and a group of fellow teens to solve the mystery behind a lost Inca civilization in order to save the day. This feels likeSpy KidsmeetsIndiana Joneswith some ofThe Gooniesthrown in there for good measure.
The rest of theDora the Explorermovie cast includesMicke Moreno, Nicholas Coombe, Madeleine Madden, Adriana Barraza, and Jango Fett himselfTemuera Morrison. Plus,Overboardremake starEugenio Derbezhas a key role in the movie in addition to executive producing the project along withJohn G. ScottiandJulia Pistor.
Directing the film will beJames Bobin, who has directed family friendly fare such asAlice Through the Looking GlassandThe Muppets. In fact, theDora the Explorermovie also brought inThe Muppetsco-writerNick Stollerto work on the script
Michael Peña’s career always seems to be growing and evolving. The actor has gone from bit parts in movies likeMy Fellow AmericansandGone in 60 Secondsto much more prominent roles in movies likeEnd of Watch, Tower Heist, The Martian, Furyand, of course, Marvel’sAnt-Manmovies. Currently, he can be seenleading the Netflix originalExtinction, although the reaction to that sci-fi thriller hasn’t been very strong. But Peña is the kind of actor who deserves a meaty lead role to sink his teeth into, and I hope he gets it sooner than later.
