Justina Machado Says Live-Action Films Can Learn From The Diversity In The Ice Age Franchise
The Ice Age franchise returns with its first new film since 2016 with The Ice Age Adventures Of Buck Wild. Simon Pegg is back as Buck and the film centers around a new adventure in the Dinosaur World with Crash, Eddie, and new friend Zee, played by Justina Machado. I spoke with Machado about joining the Ice Age franchise and what she hopes people take away from the film.
Machado opened up about her new character Zee, the zorilla, and her mission to bring equality to the Lost World. “She’s adventurous, she is powerful, she's fierce, she's vulnerable, she's in control. She is somebody that you'd want on your side and somebody that you'd want as a friend,” Machado said. “She has this incredible, eccentric partner, which is Buck, who is a loner, who's a little bit crazy, but he's all heart. The both of them together make a great pair. They are these two little mammals in the world trying to make a difference.”
Like Zee, she’s not a stranger to having the world on her shoulders when it comes to making a difference. We talked about what it’s like as a Latina in the entertainment industry having to represent for everyone in order for us to be seen. “I can't wait for the day to be quite honest when they can just ask us questions about the project and not ask me questions about being Latina or about the Latinx experience,” Machado told me. “I feel like sometimes that's unfortunate because we're so not represented that we have to kind of take it on for everybody. I don't mind it, I just want them to understand that we're also artists. It's not done to any other ethnicity that I see […] but it's completely done to us all the time. So, yes, I am a warrior for my people, but I'm also an artist.”
She highlights what an incredible job the Ice Age franchise has done in terms of celebrating differences and being inclusive. ”I think it's beautiful that it's so diverse. This is what we want in real life. We’re talking about the Latino experience, diversity, and what the world really, really looks like,” she said. “Not what they think is safe and what they want people to see. I think that this movie does a great job with diversity and live-action can actually learn from it.”
Machado joins the cast of Ice Age as it celebrates 20 years this March. “The movies are so popular because they're so timeless and the themes are so universal. The theme of chosen family, of community, of justice and equality for all. The little animals are the ones doing the big things here, which is what it feels like right now in this world,” said Machado. “On top of that it's done with a lot of humor and a lot of heart. I feel very fortunate and very honored to be a part of this franchise.”
The Ice Age Adventures Of Buck Wild hits Disney+ on January 28.
