Diego Luna Breaks Silence on Being Typecast: “I Still Get A Lot Of Drug Dealers”

At a lively gathering hosted by The Hollywood Reporter at Soho House in West Hollywood, a group of talented TV actors opened up about their careers’ highs and lows.

Diego Luna, known for his role in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, joined Walton Goggins, Adam Scott, Eddie Redmayne, Jeffrey Wright, and rising star Cooper Koch to discuss the challenges they’ve faced in the acting world.

Luna revealed that early in his career, Hollywood offered him little variety in roles. Most scripts sent his way cast him as a drug dealer, with the only difference being whether the character was kind or cruel.

“I kept getting the same type of part,” Luna said, reflecting on the limited options he faced before his big break. He noted that the industry often pushed him to change, even questioning if he would “fix” his accent to fit in. Luna resisted, embracing what made him unique. “Why would I want to be like someone else?” he said.

The conversation turned to how the industry has evolved. Luna pointed out that audiences now have more power to choose what they watch, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. “People just click on a show, and suddenly they’re watching something from Mexico,” he said, noting how this shift has opened doors for more diverse stories.

Still, he admitted that stereotypical roles haven’t disappeared entirely. “I still get offered drug dealer parts,” he said with a laugh, but now he focuses on projects that align with his vision.

Luna’s path to Star Wars was unexpected. His role in the 2001 film Y Tu Mamá También caught the eye of Rogue One director Gareth Edwards. “He told me he wanted the vibe of that film in Star Wars,” Luna recalled, surprised that a small Mexican film led him to a blockbuster franchise.

The roundtable wasn’t just about struggles. The actors shared lighter moments, clinking glasses to a toast from Goggins: “To be rich in friends is to be poor in nothing.” They bonded over shared anxieties, like sleepless nights before big roles. Redmayne admitted to being so nervous before filming The Theory of Everything that he ended up in the bath at 4:30 a.m., with the first day passing in a blur.

Koch, the newcomer behind Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, confessed to feeling overwhelmed sitting among such experienced actors. Scott reassured him, saying, “You’re incredible, you’re here for a reason.”

Goggins, meanwhile, shared his newfound confidence. “I’m not just stepping into the spotlight—I’m running toward it,” he said, sparking laughter among the group. The actors agreed that the industry is slowly changing, allowing more room for authenticity. Luna summed it up: “There’s someone out there who will connect with who you are.”

It’s encouraging to hear actors like Diego Luna and others speak openly about the barriers they’ve faced and how the industry is starting to shift. The move away from typecasting and toward authentic representation is a step forward, but Luna’s comment about still getting offered stereotypical roles shows there’s work to be done.

It’s a reminder that progress in Hollywood relies on audiences supporting diverse stories. What do you think about the changes in the industry? Are you seeing more authentic representation in the shows and movies you watch? Share your thoughts in the comments below!