After decades of friendship, Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna can still impress each other.
Re-teaming onscreen for the first time since 2010, the duo star in Hulu's first Spanish-language original series La Máquina, which they also executive produce together. The series centers on Esteban "La Máquina" Osuna (García Bernal), an aging boxer preparing to enter the ring for one last chance at glory, and his childhood friend/manager Andy Lujan (Luna), who is a bit over-obsessed with how he appears on the outside despite making some dark deals that have put him and Esteban on a dangerous path with questionable people.
"The nose doesn't happen to be mine and a lot is happening in the forehead. And those lips, sadly, they're not mine. I had to give them back. I have no lips, basically," Luna jokingly tells Entertainment Weekly of his prosthetics. "I'm going to be honest here: That ass is not mine. It's gigantic. And I'm happy not to have it because, to be fair, it's very uncomfortable. The trousers had to be tailored for that ass to fit. But I mean, [Andy] is someone that is just not happy with the way he looks, and not happy with what he sees in the mirror."
Two decades after their debut together in “Y Tu Mamá También” and more than a decade since “Casa de Mi Padre,” lifelong friends Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal (who both serve as executive producers) have reunited on screen again for Hulu’s first Spanish-language series, “La Máquina.” A stirring and engaging drama, despite its manic, campy scenes, the limited series follows acclaimed boxer Esteban “La Máquina” Osuna (Bernal), desperately trying to define his legacy. When Esteban hits a major stumble in the boxing ring, his best friend and manager, the bewildering and Botox-loving Andy (an unrecognizable Luna), decides to take matters into his own hands. However, his solution to extending the boxer’s career unearths long-held secrets between the friends.
“La Máquina” opens in Las Vegas. Just minutes before Esteban’s fight against a younger boxer, Protasio (Mercito Gesta), the audience finds Andy preoccupied with the glitz, glamour and women of Vegas. Meanwhile, Andy’s brother-in-law and assistant, Saúl (Andrés Delgado), desperately searches the casino’s kitchen for Esteban’s lucky drink, a Fresquita-brand tamarind juice. Saúl’s search proves futile. Thankfully, Esteban’s ex-wife and co-parent, Irasema (a brilliant Eiza González), saves the day. With his lucky drink in hand, Esteban seems prepared to face his adversary. However, almost as quickly as the match begins, the 38-year-old awakens in the back of an ambulance, a neck brace cradling his head.