&34;They have the journey that they experience in common,&34; the actor says. Diego Luna breaks down the connection between his Kiss of the Spider Woman and And

"They have the journey that they experience in common," the actor says.

Diego Luna breaks down the connection between his Kiss of the Spider Woman and Andor characters

"They have the journey that they experience in common," the actor says.

By Maureen Lee Lenker

Maureen Lee Lenker

Maureen Lee Lenker is a senior writer at ** with over nine years of experience. An award-winning journalist, she's written for Turner Classic Movies, *Ms. Magazine*, *The Hollywood Reporter*, and more.

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October 11, 2025 1:00 p.m. ET

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Diego Luna in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' and in 'Andor'. Credit:

Lionsgate; Lucasfilm

- Diego Luna has made 2025 the year of the rebel when it comes to his biggest roles.

- The Mexican actor plays revolutionaries in both season 2 of Star Wars series *Andor *and new movie musical, *Kiss of the Spider Woman.*

- Luna sees clear parallels between the characters, particularly in the lessons they must learn on their paths to building a better world.

Rebellions are built on hope.

That catchphrase belongs to Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), who passed it on to Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) in *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. *But it could just as easily be spoken by Luna's character, Valentin Arregui, in *Kiss of the Spider Woman.*

The film, in theaters Oct. 10, is an adaptation of the 1993 Broadway musical of the same name, itself an iteration of the 1976 novel by Manuel Puig. It stars Luna as Valentin, an imprisoned rebel under the 1980s Argentinian dictatorship, whose life is changed when he is assigned to share a cell with the flamboyant Luis Molina (Tonatiuh), a window dresser arrested for public indecency.

Tonatiuh and Diego Luna in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'.

Courtesy of Roadside Attractions

The two men couldn't be more different, but they bond as Molina tells Valentin stories of classic movie star Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez) and her greatest role as Aurora/the Spider Woman in the fictional movie musical *Kiss of the Spider Woman. *

Though Valentin is initially mistrustful of Molina and the favors he does for the prison guards, the two become confidantes, with Molina even eating poisoned food intended for Valentin and vice versa. Valentin is a Marxist who at first believes that Molina doesn't understand or support his revolutionary beliefs — only to eventually find an ally in his fight for freedom.

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That sounds a lot like Cassian Andor, the mercenary orphan turned galactic hero at the heart of two seasons of *Andor *on Disney+. For his part, Luna sees a strong connection between his two roles.

"There is something in common that is pretty clear," he tells *. *"It's the journey that they experience. When we find Valentin, he's isolated. He's losing the battle. He's been trapped in prison, and he is alienating himself from every possible idea of change and revolution because he's protecting himself. He's wounded. That's pretty much how we find Cassian in the first season of *Andor*."

Jennifer Lopez in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'.

Luna stresses that Valentin and Cassian are still very different people — and the requirements of his Star Wars role and his sojourn into musical filmmaking are certainly quite different.

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"But there is a connection," he adds. "The beauty of this story, which is sadly relevant today, is that it's a simple reminder of making sure we don't forget the ability we have to connect with others. That this challenging reality we are all experiencing doesn't end up alienating us because then there's no chance to love."

Tonatiuh and Diego Luna in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'.

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

In the end, it is love that drives both Cassian and Valentin. In Valentin's case, his love for Molina, and in Cassian's, his love for adoptive mother, Maarva (Fiona Shaw), girlfriend Bix (Adria Arjona), and the other rebels with whom he's aligned himself.

"When there's no chance to love, there's no chance to change," Luna reflects. "Therefore, there's no chance for revolution to happen or exist. These characters are really hoping change comes, but they have to go through their own process to learn that change is actually possible."

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Movies"

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Source: VOGUE MAG

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