IN CONVERSATION WITH DANIELLA PINEDA

interview by JANA LETONJA

Actress, writer, and producer Daniella Pineda can be seen starring in a lead role opposite Ben Affleck in ‘The Accountant 2’ for Amazon/MGM, which was released on 25th April. She recently wrapped the live action ‘Dora The Explorer’ sequel for Paramount/Nick, and has most recently starred in ‘The Walking Dead’ anthology series ‘Tales of The Walking Dead’, as well as Netflix’s adaptation of ‘Cowboy Bebop’. Daniella got her start on ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and its spinoff ‘The Originals’.

You’ve built such a dynamic career across film and television. What first inspired you to pursue acting?

Acting was a total accident. I was always more interested in writing and directing. I submitted for a comedy central writing job and came in for an interview. The woman who was the casting director was actually a talent manager for the lead of the show. She had seen my videos and said “You should be an actor, I’ll represent you.” My first reaction was no, because I had no experience and was just not a part of my plan. And truth be told, it’s one of those professions where everyone thinks they can do it. I finally agreed and started booking work much to my surprise. I felt like I had to hit the ground running with acting and focus on that. Now I’m ready for the other stuff.

In addition to acting, you’re also a writer and producer. How does that influence your approach to storytelling?

If anything, it can be kind of frustrating because if you have a producer’s mind or a writer’s mind, but are only hired as an actor, it can be challenging if the creators don’t trust you. They may think you’re overstepping, so it can be a balance. You really have to understand when those other parts of your brain will be more helpful than a hinderance. My personal approach to storytelling is usually between horror and comedy. Those are my happy places.

Looking back at your early roles in ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and ‘The Originals’, how do you think you’ve evolved as an actor?

I still have a lot to learn and honestly, acting is still very mysterious to me. Not the business, that part can be really shallow and low. That’s a whole other relationship I’ve had to learn how to manage. Acting still scares me to death, but somehow I’ve managed to ride the storm in a more seasoned way. And I have learned more to trust in my abilities.

You’ve been part of some major franchises. What do you enjoy most about working in big, fan favorite universes?

I love they get seen and that they make people happy. I nerd out on the things I love, and so I know what it’s like to be a fan and really adore something. The world is so damn hard that giving people a reason to smile and geek out on movie or a series seems like a lovely thing to do.

Currently, you’re be starring opposite Ben Affleck in ‘The Accountant 2’. What can you tell us about your role and the experience of working on this sequel? 

I was a big fan of the first film, so this was such a get. Anais is an actual badass. I feel like that term gets thrown around a lot, watered down and corporatized even. But make no mistake, Anais is a baddie. She’s a predator, neurodivergent, not bothered by fear or empathy. Yet, she’s not all bad either. In fact, she’s a true antihero. You’ll have to see.

‘The Accountant’ has a strong fan following. How do you think this sequel will expand on the first film? 

Honestly? Everyone who worked on the first one came back to work on this sequel. And those people think it’s better than the first. Perhaps it’s not fair to compare. The first movie establishes the world, and so, if you have someone as talented as Gavin O’Connor, he knows how to have fun and expand. Yes, our film has action and all that, but you might cry, and people will be so surprised how funny it is. I’ll say this, and I don’t know how Ben feels or if he would even agree with me, but I think it’s his best role in a movie ever.

How did you prepare for all the action sequences in ‘The Accountant 2’?

Lots of rehearsal. Essentially, learning a fight sequence is like a dance. It must be memorized in the body, and then you have to convince the audience that it isn’t rehearsed. My stunt double Bronte Coluccio is a beast. This girl is so talented and such a patient teacher, so positive. Cynthia and I had so much fun, but my God, it was pretty taxing on the body. I treated myself to some nice junky food after.

You also wrapped filming on the live-action ‘Dora the Explorer’ sequel. What can fans expect from this next adventure?

There is one line from this movie that made our cast cry. Alberto Belli, our director, is so talented and understands the importance of fun. He’s a young spirit at heart and it really lends itself to this movie. And, it’s an all Latino cast movie, which was my first time experiencing that in all the years I have been working. I loved it.

You’ve worked with some incredible actors and filmmakers. Anyone you’d love to collaborate with in the future?

Julia Ducournau and Ari Aster, to name a few. I also love Kristoffer Borgli. He made a film called ‘Sick of Myself’ that I’m obsessed with. I feel like I share his sense of humor. I’m a big fan of Simon Blackwell, he’s an English comedy writer whose work I love. Tom Cruise is doing a movie in space, they should hit me up. Oh, and Sterlin Harjo. He’s the creator of series called ‘Rez Dogs’. 

As a writer and producer, do you have any dream projects you’d love to develop? 

There is a horror movie I wrote and am trying to get made. It’s very, very dark, but beautiful. I love the genre space when the movies are really elevated. ‘Hereditary’ is the level I like. I love dark things. I’m also writing a comedy with a director name Brian Sacca that’s absurdly stupid in the best way. We crack up writing it. Projects are so hard to get made nowadays, so maybe someday someone can give me a shot.

After ‘The Accountant 2’, what is coming up next for you? 

‘Dora’ comes out in the summer, which I’m very excited about. My big goal is to finish my comedy script, and direct my horror film. I’m also the lead of my directorial debut, which is, well, a gamble. I know how hard it is to pull that off, but I know I can bet on myself.

CREDITS:

photography JONNY MARLOW