Temple of Geek recently sat down with the cast of “Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado” – Samantha Lorraine (Dora), Jacob Rodriguez (Diego), Mariana Garzón Toro (Naiya), and Acton Luca Porto (Sonny) – to discuss their experiences bringing the beloved characters to life.
Nickelodeon is expanding its beloved Dora franchise with new content, spearheaded by the original feature-length live-action movie, “Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado”. The film premiered on Wednesday, July 2, on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon in the U.S., with a global rollout to follow.
This new family movie sees a 16-year-old Dora, played by Samantha Lorraine, and her friends navigate the perilous Amazonian jungle to find the ancient treasure of Sol Dorado before it falls into the wrong hands. The cast also features Jacob Rodriguez as Diego, Mariana Garzón Toro as Naiya, Acton Luca Porto as Sonny, Daniella Pineda as Camila the Crusader, and Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias as the voice of Boots.
Samantha Lorraine on Becoming Dora
For Samantha Lorraine, being cast as Dora was a complete honor. She emphasized Dora’s iconic status, especially within the Latin community, and the importance of representation. Lorraine initially thought the casting news was “a little bit surreal” and a “pinch me moment”. Her excitement was so profound that she ran a lap in her room. Lorraine feels a strong connection to Dora’s positivity and the energy, the boundless energy. Telling her family about the role was an emotional experience, a tearjerker moment, as she couldn’t believe she would get to play a character she watched growing up. The message she took away from playing Dora is to dream as big as you can because you can achieve it, and that it is possible.
Jacob Rodriguez on Honoring Diego
Jacob Rodriguez highlighted his favorite nod to his character Diego from the animated series in the live-action film. One particular moment that stood out to him was when Dora says “Go Diego Go” in one of the first chambers, which he found clever and amazing. He also enjoyed the “iconic outfit, the backpack, little orange rope action”. Working with animals, as Diego does in the series, was a true honor for Rodriguez, who got to work with a parrot, snakes, and a capybara. He particularly enjoyed training with the animals and building a comfort level with them that he might not have experienced otherwise. From Diego’s storyline, Rodriguez learned the importance of having “hard conversations” with family, friends, and loved ones, as they will ultimately offer support. He noted that Diego consistently supports Dora throughout the film.
Mariana Garzón Toro on Her New Character, Naiya
Mariana Garzón Toro’s character, Naiya, is a brand new addition to the established Dora world. Garzón Toro related to Naiya significantly, noting an ongoing joke on set that she was “so Naiya”. She brought her own mannerisms into the character, as Naiya is a Gen Z character who is always on her phone and trendy. Garzón Toro stated that the way Naiya reacts to certain things is how she would naturally react. The key lesson she hopes kids take away from Naiya’s story arc is to “just say yes” and get out of your comfort zone.
Acton Luca Porto on the Fun of Playing Sonny
Acton Luca Porto, who plays Sonny, found his character “so funny” and had a great time on set. He particularly enjoyed being in the jungle and shooting the tram scene in Hacienda Nápoles, along with saying all the joke lines.
Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado Explores Growth and Dreams
The film explores coming-of-age themes at an age-appropriate level, including concepts like loss, grief, disillusionment, and following dreams.
When asked where they would choose to explore in the world, Samantha Lorraine chose the deep sea ocean, despite it being her biggest fear, as a way to get out of her comfort zone. Mariana Garzón Toro expressed a desire to walk on the Great Wall of China. Acton Luca Porto also agreed with the idea of a “really long hike,” specifically mentioning the mountain in front of his house. Jacob Rodriguez’s ideal adventure would be to “be a pirate” out on the ocean, exploring islands, shipwrecks, and encountering marine life like whales, dolphins, and sharks.
25 Years of Dora
Since its launch on Nickelodeon on August 14, 2000, Dora the Explorer quickly emerged as a global pop-culture phenomenon. Nearly 25 years later, it remains one of the most-watched preschool shows of all time. Dora crosses social, racial, and language boundaries, standing as a hero and friend to millions of children worldwide. Nickelodeon channels and Paramount+ air the series in over 150 countries and territories and translate it into 32 languages globally and through syndication.
Throughout its eight-season run, Dora the Explorer earned countless accolades, including Emmy®, Peabody, NAACP, Alma, Imagen, Latino Spirit, Gracie Allen, Parents’ Choice, Common Sense Media, and Television Critics Association awards. Positive depictions of the Latinx community are more crucial now than ever to counter negative narratives and ensure accurate representation.
Join the Conversation
Stay connected with us on social media for more pop culture discussions and updates. You can find us on Bluesky, TikTok, and Discord. Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for additional content. Be sure to join us on our Discord Server for discussions about anime, collectibles, film, television and more!
