One thing you can’t fault Robert Rodriguez for — he makes the movies he wants to make. The notorious do-it-yourself director found his way into the studio system by way of cutting down production costs by working a number of positions himself and creatively shooting around normally complicated set-ups. His bets usually paid off when his films would hit and make a profit, thanks to his ingenuity. Ever since, he’s existed with one foot inside as well as one foot outside of Hollywood. After The Book of Boba Fett and the recent thriller Hypnotic, Rodriguez has returned to his unlikely family franchise hit with Spy Kids: Armageddon.
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
When the children of the world’s greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful Game Developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, they must become spies themselves to save their parents and the world.
The film sports a cast that includes Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Everly Carganilla, Connor Esterson, Billy Magnussen, and D.J. Cotrona. Robert Rodriguez once again sits in the director’s chair as well as penning the script with his son, Racer Max. Producers include Robert Rodriguez, Racer Max, Elizabeth Avellan, and David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger (Skydance). Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre (Spyglass) are on board as executive producers on the film. Robert’s other son, Rebel, who has shown up in a few of his dad’s movies, including Planet Terror, Sharkboy and Lava Girl, and Shorts, composes the soundtrack for this film.
Racer Rodriguez, who goes by Racer Max talks about growing up with his famous filmmaker dad. “He taught me that work is play. You should enjoy what you do so much and you should be doing what you enjoy so much in your life that it just feels like play.” Racer added that while most families play Marco Polo in the pool, they write movies. “Our favorite method of writing… is, we grab our notepads (or our phones at this point), jump into the pool and float around and just talk, come up with ideas. Let’s go in the pool, let’s come out with a movie.” Movies are a family business for the Rodriguezes as Robert’s ex-wife, Elizabeth Avellan remains a producing partner ever since his debut, El Mariachi.
Spy Kids: Armageddon hits Netflix on September 22.