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Adria Arjona May Be The Next Wonder Woman — She Says It Wouldn’t Be Possible Without ‘Andor’ Creator Tony Gilroy (INTERVIEW)

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Adria Arjona

Adria Arjona spoke with BroBible about 'Onslaught,' 'Andor,' and 'Man of Tomorrow'


While the Hollywood trades reported that Adria Arjona had been cast as Maxima in James Gunn’s Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow, a majority of DC fans believe she’s actually playing Wonder Woman — one of the most iconic fictional female characters ever created. No pressure, Adria.

Speaking to BroBible’s Post Credit Podcast ahead of the release of her new film Onslaught, Adria Arjona opened up about taking on fierce motherhood in her new film Onslaught, legendary action heroines such as Sarah Connor, how her role as Bix Caleen on the hit Star Wars series Andor changed her life — and that she would not be where she is today without its acclaimed creator, Tony Gilroy — and what about her Man of Tomorrow role scares her.

Channeling fierce motherhood and if that changed her perspective on her own childhood

ERIC ITALIANO, BROBIBLE: This is an action-packed film, but I was most focused on just the fierceness of the type of Mom that you played. And I’m curious if playing this sort of character caused you to reflect on your own childhood and your own mom — and if you gained any new perspective from being in her shoes.

ADRIA ARJONA: Yeah, I think — to be honest, I think every mom is feral when it comes to their child. It’s like, you do not mess with a mom’s baby.

And trying to channel that was hard, because I — you know, I don’t, I don’t have a — obviously I’m not a mom. But I was 18 years old when my little brother was born. So I feel like that gave me everything I needed. I almost feel like I had a baby at 18. He’s the love of my life. He’s now 16 years old. So I held on to that pretty tightly.

And yeah, I mean — I come from a family of a lot of women, and a lot of ferocious, badass, strong, funny, loving women. And I think, you know, stealing a little bit from everybody kind of helped me play this role, for sure.

EI: I know that this is very much inspired by ’80s action films, but I don’t know if you specifically realize how much it was like Terminator 2. You’ve got a badass chick hiding in a desert trailer park, fighting killing machines, Michael Biehn, an ’80s synth score, and even your haircut. What do you think are some of the key aspects of an iconic action heroine? And do you have any personal favorites?

AA: I mean — Sarah Connor.  Sarah Connor was like my north star through all of this. I was like, that’s where I’m going. I mean, and I did watch TERMINATOR 2. What do you need? I think you just need to be fearless. You need to be strong. Try not to be so tough, but just be strong — because that’s what female heroines do. And yeah, just be ferocious. It was so fun. Honestly, it’s one of the most fun I’ve had on set, for sure. You get to do anything you kind of want in this genre.

EI: Even be absolutely covered in blood — which I’m sure was a less fun day.

How her role in Andor changed her life and creator Tony Gilroy’s role in that

EI: The main reason that I was psyched to talk to you today was because of ANDOR, which I — and plenty more out there — think is truly the greatest STAR WARS thing of all time. And the final frame is of your face. What does that moment, and that show, mean to you now that it’s been a year or two since it wrapped up?

Arjona: Oh, there’s a very definitive before and after — both in my personal [life] and in my career. Before and after Andor. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Tony Gilroy. Like, there’s no way.

What I learned on that show, the confidence that I gained on that show — it’s the show that just keeps on giving to me. I feel so honored to be a part of it. It’s — you know, it means the world.

I think ANDOR and this movie that I did, LOS FRIKIS, are the two things that just stay so close to my heart. They’re projects that have actually really changed who I am. And I have to thank Tony Gilroy for that, for sure.

She so often talks about talking on roles that frighten her — what about her Man of Tomorrow role scares her?

EI: Final one here. As I read up on you and how you see your work, the word “fear” came up a lot. You said the ONSLAUGHT script terrified you. You said your part in SPLITSVILLE scared you. You once said, quote, “You have to become friends with fear.” What about your role in MAN OF TOMORROW scares you?

AA: Whew!

EI: Not bad, right? Not “who are you playing?”

AA: [Laughs] Yeah. Oh, trick question… It — it scares me. It actually doesn’t— oh man, how do I answer this without f—— myself?

A lot of elements of this scare me. But I think for the first time — or for the second time in my life — I’m doing something with people that I already worked with. So ANDOR was the first example. I did ANDOR season one; I had never done a season two of something. And coming into a season two, you already know — you know, I know Tony; we’ve known each other for two and a half years at that point. I know the costume department, I know the actors. So you come in with people that you feel familiar with, and that you trust, and that make you feel safe.

And in this case, for MAN OF TOMORROW — you know, I know James Gunn, James and Peter Saf[r]an. They gave me my first movie ever, which is THE BELKO EXPERIMENT. That was — I don’t even — like 12 years ago or something like that.

So I’m coming onto a set with familiar faces, with people that I trust and respect, that I’ve known through the years. So — yeah, it scared me. But I think when I got there, I was like, “Oh no, I’m good, because James is here and Peter’s here and I know them.” And it just makes you feel safe.

EI: Congrats. You and your team and James are going to be very proud [of how you answered that question]. I have to wrap here. Adria, thank you very much for your time, and keep just kicking ass in all sorts of roles.

AA: Thank you, man. I appreciate it. Thank you so much.

Arjona will next be seen starring in Adam Wingard’s Onslaught, which will be released in theaters by A24 on Friday, September 4. You can check out the official trailer for Onslaught — which also stars Dan Stevens, Eric Wareheim, Michael Biehn, Drew Starkey, and Rebecca Hall — below.