Ultra Violet and Black Scorpion Stars Scarlett Estevez and J.R. Villarreal Talk Playing Latino Superheroes and The Mystery Of The Luchador Masks

Get ready to mask up and throw down!

Disney Channel is bringing Latino heroes to the forefront this summer in Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion. Led by Scarlett Estevez and J.R. Villarreal, we follow everyday Mexican American teen Violet Rodriguez who is chosen by a magical luchador mask that transforms her into a superhero fighting crime alongside her uncle Cruz known as Black Scorpion. I spoke with Estevez and Villarreal at the Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion junket about becoming a hero, Latino representation, and the mystery behind the masks.

Estevez shared that Violet wholeheartedly embraces her new superhero identity as she tries to find “her thing and who she is” in the world, while Villarreal revealed that Cruz is “struggling to be a superhero with all the responsibilities [and] keeping his identity a secret from everyone in his family.” While he tries to teach Violet about being a luchador hero, she also helps him realize you don’t have to sacrifice everything. There can be a balance.

Both actors had a blast getting into their super suits and embracing these new identities on set. “Between the suit and all the training, you start to actually feel like a superhero. I’m in this suit, I get this mask on, I’m all dressed up and then they’re teaching me how to fight. It was a really awesome experience,” Estevez shared with me.

“[When I got home], I’d look over the city and I’d be like, ‘Where’s the crime?,’” laughed Villarreal, doing a Batman-style voice. “It’s such a magical feeling. It gives you so much confidence. It helps you believe it and be the super lucha, be the superhero, be Black Scorpion, be Ultra Violet.”

And they hope that super hero confidence translates to the viewers, especially young Latino viewers, watching the show. “We’re so blessed and grateful for this opportunity and this responsibility to be able to represent our community, our culture, and be shown in such a positive way, in such a lucha way, a superhero way. It’s something we really haven’t had the pleasure of seeing so the fact it’s happening now, it’s so incredible,” gushed Villarreal. “I just can’t wait for kids, my family, my nieces and nephews, my siblings, to see themselves represented. It’s such a big deal. It’s such a sense of pride that we get to do this.”

Estevez echoed his sentiments: “Obviously I want people to enjoy the show and watch all the action, but what I really want them to take away is to get to see themselves on screen. That representation is something that's very, very important to me.”

While the show embraces figuring out who you are, finding balance, and Latino culture, it also tackles a big mystery around these magical luchador masks that give Violet and Cruz their abilities. “You do find out history. There's why and how and definitely a lot of mystery there because […] Black Scorpion and Ultra Violet are also finding it out and discovering things as we go. We don't really know exactly everything either,” shared Villarreal, with Estevez adding: “At some points once you guys find out stuff we know just as much as you guys do. There definitely is going to be still some mystery, but we do find out more about the masks.”

Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion is currently streaming on Disney+, with episodes airing on Disney Channel every Friday.