Colombian-American actor Moises Arias best known for his role as Rico in Disney’s “Hannah Montana” debuts in Gavin Hood’s film “Ender’s Game.”
The film takes place in the future where an alien race called the Formics have attacked Earth. In anticipation for the next attack, the well-respected Colonel Graff (played by Harrison Ford) and the International Military are training the most promising young children to lead them to victory.
His role in the science fiction action film based on the novel of the same name by Orson Scott Card is dubbed by Arias as a “graduation” from all his previous work as a child actor.
“This has be one of the most important roles I’ve done in my life,” said 19-year-old Arias. “In terms of turning everything I learned as a kid and turning this character into a real person.”
Arias considers his character Bonzo Madrid in “Ender’s Game” to ride a fine line between being a gimmicky bully that is often seen onscreen and a real persona with more depth.
Moises Arias on ‘Ender’s Game’ and acting in Spanish
In an interview with VOXXI, Arias opened up about the struggles of transitioning from being a child star to establishing a career as an adult.
Citing that while some of his peers with whom he has shared the screen with in the past have had hardships in their transition, he was able to find himself and continue working.
“I’ve been acting since I was 10,” he said. “At age 14, 15 and 16 it’s difficult to find roles and to find yourself even and when everyone’s eyes are on you, it’s difficult.”
As for his future, Arias is unwilling to make plans but instead go with the flow and keep making the best of the opportunities that come his way.
His character in “Ender’s Game” spouts out a couple of words in Arias’ native tongue Spanish which prompted the question: Is acting in Spanish off the table?
The answer was a definitive no.
“I would absolutely be down to do something in Spanish,” he said.
Seems like not much is out of the question for this young star. Arias expressed his love not only for cinema and television but also for photography and directing.
“I can see myself doing production work and handling projects behind the scenes,” Arias said.
For now you can catch him in “Ender’s Game,” which hits theaters nationwide on November 1.
Originally published on VOXXI as ‘Ender’s Game’ Moises Arias on the ‘most important’ role of his life
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