Even in the midst of the pandemic, Jungle Cruise opened to big numbers in theaters and on Disney+'s Premier Access. As we noted in our review, this family blockbuster feels like exactly what the world needs right now. Last week, we had the opportunity to speak to star Veronica Falcón about her role as Trader Sam, an iconic, albeit controversial, part of the Disneyland ride.
This movie delivers a reimagined version of Sam who is a she instead of a he, and a fully formed part of the story rather than a stereotype or punchline. That's thanks, in large part, to Veronica's wonderful performance as an unexpected ally to Dwayne Johnson's wise-cracking skipper, Frank.
Trader Sam is a highlight in Jungle Cruise, and we loved this chance to ask the actress about her co-stars, the experience of making this blockbuster, and her fresh take on the Disneyland icon. Veronica also weighs in on those sequel plans, which ride from the iconic theme park she'd like to see brought to the big screen, and her upcoming projects, including the fourth season of Ozark.
You can find Veronic on Twitter @RealVFalcon or Instagram @realveronicafalcon.
I saw Jungle Cruise a couple of weeks ago and it is such a fun movie. You must have had a blast making it?
I did have a blast making it. The cast was just phenomenal. They were kind and generous, and it was just a lovely movie to make and watch, especially after this pandemic we’re all going through. To have some family time and just laugh...it’s fantastic.
How did the role of Trader Sam come your way and how familiar were you with the ride and character before that?
Well, the role came to me in the usual way through my agent and I auditioned for it. Then, I had an interview with Jaume Collet-Serra, our director, and luckily, they then gave me the role which was fantastic. Was I familiar with the ride? Yes, absolutely. I come from Mexico City, and the first time I visited the United States was to go on a trip to Disneyland in California. It was either the first or second ride my family and I took, so it has great memories for me. I never, in a thousand years, imagined I was going to be part of a movie based on the ride, but there you go [Laughs]. I got lucky!
Trader Sam is a big part of that Disneyland legacy, so coming into a blockbuster like this one, did you feel a sense of pressure, especially as the character was being reinvented in such a great way for modern audiences?
I think it’s fantastic Disney decided to revamp the character as a woman. I never felt pressured by Disney; on the contrary, I felt very supported. However, I felt the pressure of honouring the role and the character because these movies stay there for generations. You want to honour that legacy, so that’s the kind of pressure I felt. Disney was supportive with everything, so that was fun, but I just wanted to do good. It’s a big thing and a beautiful gift as an actor to play a character like Trader Sam.
The original Trader Sam has been removed from the Disneyland ride, but now you’ve brought this new version to life, do you think she could or should be added to the attraction in his place?
I would love to! Disney is revamping the ride, as you said, and I’m sure they’re being very careful about everything to make it a wonderful experience and to be supportive of the conversation of being respectful. If they decide that’s something they’d like to do, I’d love to be there! You know, in Pirates of the Caribbean, you don’t have all the characters. You have, for example, Jack Sparrow, but there are a lot of characters not in the ride that are in the movies. It happens like that sometimes, but I think both are incredibly enjoyable. You go to the Pirates ride and you have a great time, and when you watch the movie, it’s the same thing. I think that’s what is going to happen with Jungle Cruise. People will go on the ride and totally enjoy it, and then the same will happen with this movie...I think they are, and it’s beautiful to see people responding like that to what we made.
Your scenes with Dwayne Johnson are so much fun, but what are some of your favourite memories working with him on the set of the movie?
He is such a fun person to work with. What you see is what you get. He’s not pretending and really is a nice, kind man. He’s generous, funny, has a great sense of humour, and he and Emily...that chemistry you see with them and with Jack Whitehall is real [Laughs]. Sometimes, Jaume had to be like, ‘C’mon guys, stop laughing!’ They really had that. I arrived a little bit later because they started shooting the movie a month and a half before my character jumped in, so they already knew each other and had a rapport. I just enjoyed the ride watching them and laughing at what they were saying. Sometimes, I’d participate, but Dwayne is a very kind man and one of the things I really like about him is that he’s incredibly present. Not only when he’s performing, but every time he’s there, he’s present and kind to everybody. He takes the time and listens, and that’s inspiring and lovely.
I can imagine it must have been a blast working with my fellow Brits, Emily Blunt and Jack Whitehall as well, particularly given the latter’s background?
Jack is very funny, but sometimes, he’s very quiet and serious. Suddenly, he’ll say something that cracks you up, and then he’ll continue being quiet and serious [Laughs]. You never know when he’s going to do it, but when he does, he cracks you up! He has an incredible comedic ability. He’s a great comedian. He’s done so much stand-up and has shown with his father - we’re actually fans of his show - and I was saying to him at the premiere, ‘Is your father here because my son would love to meet him!’ He really is like that in real life.
That entire action sequence is a highlight in the movie, but what was that like to shoot and be part of even on the periphery of all the craziness happening?
It was fun. I had a stunt double who I was very grateful for because she was fantastic. I tried to do as much as I could, and it was a lot of fun. I had to do things I’ve never done before like using spears or jumping from a submarine [Laughs]. That’s not me jumping, but I am swimming! The costume was wet and got very heavy, but I enjoyed it. In my background, I was a dancer way back when, so I really like physical things. It’s not the same as when I was very young, but I still try to keep in shape and love when I can do any of the action scenes. I know there were experts doing it marvellously, so whenever it was the turn of the stunt double, I knew they were going to kill it. Whenever it was my turn, I just hoped I didn’t kill myself!
Frank and Sam have such a fun dynamic with him paying her to put on this act for tourists, but what did you most enjoy exploring about that?
I think everything. I was talking to Emily and said, ‘One of the things about this film that I loved is these women are ahead of their times.’ Her character is wearing pants which, apparently, in those days was extremely advanced. It’s not just that, though; she’s a doctor and a scientist. She’s a female Indiana Jones, and it’s fantastic to see women like that portrayed on television and film. My character is the chief of the tribe and the warrior and a businesswoman experimenting and creating new things. She’s very curious and creative. Even at the end of the movie, there is a moment where Jack’s character is talking about all the fabulous things they’ve found and when he mentions that a woman was chief of a tribe, the whole college of really stuck up male doctors are like, ‘Whoa!’ Unfortunately, in those days, it was like that. Emily’s character couldn’t be in the society of doctors and that comes from reality. Emily is such an intelligent, kind, and well-prepared, talented actor. It was a joy to work with her, but the fact Disney is putting these two women up front as ahead of their times is amazing. It’s important to see those images on screen.
I know you’ve been part of a lot of big projects in the past whether it’s Ozark or Queen of the South, but coming into a VFX-heavy project like this, what was that like for you?
I have a lot of scenes with Dwayne, Emily, and Jack, but one that was funniest for me to do, was when we were fighting with the conquistadores. The actors are there, but you know that they’re going to have some special effects added. Sometimes, things are going to be jumping from one place to another and they tell you, ‘Look at this’ or ‘Look at that’ but you really have to use your imagination. Sometimes, you really feel funny realising, ‘I’m really fighting against air here’ [Laughs]. As an actor, your imagination is something you use a lot, and hopefully, you’ll have trained it and trust in it. They know what they’re doing, so you may feel weird kicking a little point on the wall or whatever, but you know you’re going to end up looking good and it will come across as believable and fun. That was quite something. I’d never worked on a project of this magnitude, so it was a great experience.
Dwayne Johnson has confirmed he’s already met with Disney about a sequel, so are you optimistic that we could see more of Trader Sam?
Of course, I would love to play her again and would love to work with them if they invite me. If they don't invite me, I'm still going to love watching a second Jungle Cruise. I think it's a movie the audience is really loving and they're enjoying it. Nowadays, it's very important after the pandemic and everything we've through as humankind just to be united and to go and watch something joyful and fun and makes us laugh. It makes us enjoy one another. I think that's very important. So being part of If I'm invited to it again, I'd love to do it, but If I'm not, I'll be cheering in the audience for them because I think it'll be a great film.
Do you have any favourite Disneyland rides and, if so, are there any you’d just love the chance to star in - or just watch as a fan - should they too become a movie?
Well, that’s a very good question. I think I would like to see what they do with Space Mountain [Laughs]. That was one of my favourite rides. I know some are easier to make into a movie than others, like Haunted Mansion or Pirates, but Disney is so incredibly creative. I’m sure they can figure something out with Space Mountain. I’d be curious to see that.
Looking ahead, where can our readers expect to see you next?
Right now, I’m shooting the fourth season of Ozark. I was invited to participate with them and I’m having a blast working with Laura Linney and Jason Batemen; they’re phenomenal actors. I did a little part in Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s new project called Mr. Corman and that was fantastic because even though my character doesn’t appear much, it’s so beautiful, and he’s so creative and talented. I also have a part in The Starling, the Melissa McCarthy movie, so I hope to keep working. So far, I’m really happy, and I’m so glad people are enjoying Jungle Cruise!