Finally, beading the group of gamers is Rez, played by newcomer Robert Vito, who tries to drive Juni out of the game until he learns to trust him. Vito was thrilled when he learned he was going to journey inside a video game. “Inside a video game, you can do whatever you want to do and be whoever you want to be,” he says. “Nothing could be more exciting to kids today.”
Vito describes Rez as a natural-born if somewhat fiery leader. “He has it all: he’s smart, athletic and he’s usually got a great attitude. He’s also the oldest of the kids inside the game, so he becomes the one they look up to and he tries to live up to that.” Among all the thrilling stunts he got to do as Rez, Vito’s favorite was riding the tricked-out virtual motorcycles in the mega-race sequence. “I got to do flips and jumps using a harness,” he explains. “But, as cool as it was, it’s going to be even cooler to see it all in 3D.”
Joining the SPY KIDS cast for the first time is new recruit Salma Hayek, who stars as Francesca Giggles, wife to Donnagan and mother to Spy Kids Gertie and Gary Giggles. For Hayek, it was a mission accomplished. “I’ve been in every Robert Rodriguez movie except the SPY KIDS movies,” she notes. “So, Robert promised me a part in this one.” She continues: “Robert is not only a good friend, he’s like family to me. He was the first person to give me a chance in the movie business and we always work really well together. I get him, and he gets me. And I love that he doesn’t see the everyday boring world everyone else sees. He sees everything as an adventure.”
As Francesca, Hayek portrays one of the OSS spy organization’s most top-secret agents and the woman who sends Juni into the madness and mayhem of The Toymaker’s video game to rescue Carmen and all the kids around the world. “I liked the storyline about a video game that steal people’s minds because I’ve seen that happen,” she says. “Maybe not forever, but some video games can steal a person for a good two hours or so. I think it might be this generation’s way of escaping from reality, or going into a different reality.” Most of all, Hayek wanted to be part of what she sees as a classic series of 21st century family movies. “Robert creates eye candy for kids that really cater to their fantasies,” she says, “but his films treat kids like they’re smart. He never looks down on his audience, because for him it’s all about creativity and imagination. And with this film, he has taken it to a whole new level.”
Filling out the rest of the cast is an ensemble of characters from SPY KIDS past, turning the film into a kind of spy and villain reunion. “SPY KIDS 3D is kind of the best parts of all three movies wrapped into one,” observes Tony Shalhoub, who brings back the genetically mutated character Minion. Among other returnees is Bill Paxton playing Dinky Winks, who uses his amusement park background – and lasso skills -- to help tame a digital robot. “For me, there’s nothing more fun than playing a larger-than life character,” says Paxton, “especially in a larger-thanlife film.” Equally excited to rejoin the SPY KIDS fun was Steve Buscemi reprising the role of mad inventor Romero, who rides into the digital realm on a flying pig. “It seems that just about everything about this movie is a surprise,” Buscemi offers. Indeed, many of the adult cast members found themselves doing their most physically challenging work yet, using harnesses in front of green screens. “It’s enough to put out your back with all this flying!” notes Cheech Marin who again portrays Uncle Felix. “It’s hard work, but we know it will look great on screen.”
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