Celebrities
Michelle Rodriguez on the lines she won’t cross in Hollywood
Rodriguez opened up about her self-determined rules when navigating the industry.
Michelle Rodriquez has made a name for herself in Hollywood by playing fierce characters such as Letty from the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise, pilot Trudy Chacón in ‘Avatar’ and, more recently, the barbarian Holga Kilgore in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’.
In an interview with Collider, Rodriguez stated that much of her success can be attributed to her advocating for herself and the characters she portrays. The 44-year-old also expressed the importance of drawing a line on certain matters and sticking to it.
What won’t Rodriguez do for Hollywood?
The actress’ stance on what roles she wouldn’t play is incredibly clear.
“My land in the sand is very clear,” Rodriguez said. “There’s a line for self-respect, there’s a line of this is what I wouldn’t do in front of millions of people around the world on purpose.
“You know what I mean? And if you try to cross that line with me, perhaps trying to get me to play a slut in front of millions of people around the world, won’t happen.
Rodriguez noted that when it comes to playing stereotypes, she isn’t interested.
“Try to get me to be the loser girlfriend who has a cheating boyfriend and cries over him an entire film, not gonna happen. Be the girl who’s a stripper or a drug dealer because Latinos are thrown into that box all the time,” she said.
“I’m like, not gonna happen. Girl who uses her Cleopatra power or her sex to get everywhere that she’s gonna go, not gonna happen.
“So as long as you don’t break any of those rules with me, I’m easy to work with. I’m very down to earth and super collaborative.”
Refusing to star in ‘Avatar’ sequels
When James Cameron approached Rodriguez for the opportunity to reprise her ‘Avatar’ role in its sequels, she was stern in declining the offer.
While her character died in the film’s climax, Rodriguez has previously played characters to come back from the dead in ‘Resident Evil’, ‘Machete’ and the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise and didn’t want to add ‘Avatar’ to the list.