George Lopez in Rio

Have you seen the new animated movie Rio (rated PG) about Blu, the domesticated Macaw from Minnesota who goes to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil? We got to speak with George Lopez, who plays the local bird, Rafael. Some of the other characters from the movie were also on hand to tell us what life is really like in Rio!

First here's George. . .

Q: Could you describe Rafael? What are his best and his worst traits?
George: Mmm. Let's see. Rafael is a former king of Carnavale, so he is full of life and was the man that everybody went to at Carnavale. Then he gets married and he's a little bit settled, but his heart is in two places. It's a little bit in Carnavale and it's a little bit with his family. In the end you find out that it's not in two places – it's only with his family. So, he loves life.

Q: What do you have most in common with him?
George: Well, I love life. I live a pretty good life. I mean I'm very fortunate that I get to do things that I could have never imagined, you know, like go to the NBA All-Star game or, meet the president and be friends with the president, or do this show that I do, or most importantly every day do something that I've wanted to do since I was 11 years old. I don't think there's anything better than doing what you truly always wanted to do and do it successfully.

Q: Do you remember an embarrassing moment when you were at school?
George: Oh yes, I do as a matter of fact. When I was in third grade, they brought some birds in to show us, and one of the birds got out, flew around the room and it pooped on me – on me, of all the kids, on me. So I was freaked out and I started crying and I went in the hallway because all the kids started laughing. And the teacher said that it's good luck. [Laughter]

LOL! That is so funny and embarrassing. And how ironic that now George is playing a bird (Rafael) in the movie, Rio! Let's hear from the characters. . .

RAFAEL
Q: Where is your favorite place to go in Rio?
Rafael: The Sambadrome during Carnavale. The only place to be. I love being right in the center of the action. That's where I met my beautiful wife. She was the most radiant creature I had ever seen. A treasure in feathers. Surrounded by the lights and music and confetti. . . a truly magical time.

Q: A typical Saturday night is. . .
Rafael: Getting the kids to bed and watching the moon rise over the jungle with Eva. Unless of course I'm on a wacky adventure trying to break two spix macaws apart who are attached by a chain, but bring them together in love, all while staying out of the clutches of evil smugglers.

BLU
Q: What's your favorite meal?
Blu: Linda makes the meanest hot dish, "tuna green bean surprise". I think the surprise is that she sprinkles crushed pretzels on the top. . . but I will never let her know that I know that you now know her secret ingredient. Bobby Flay watch out. We always have tuna green bean surprise on Monday nights when we watch endless reality TV.

Q: Where is your favorite place to go in Rio?
Blu: Well when I first arrived in Rio, my favorite place to go was right back in my bird carrier. Everything was so overwhelming. The sites, the sounds, the smells. But soon things started to feel familiar, like I had come home. Looking out over the city from on top of the Chinese view in the jungle was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

Q: A typical Saturday night is. . .
Blu: The best night of the week! Linda and I usually play a board game. And let me tell you, it can get intense. She is quite the competitor. Then we'll curl up on the couch with some cookies and milk and pig out to an all night movie marathon.

JEWEL
Q: What's your favorite thing to cook?
Jewel: Cooking? I'm a wild jungle bird; that's a little domesticated for me.

Q: Where is your favorite place to go in Rio?
Jewel: I love to soar past the Corcovado and then down towards the bay and past the Sugarloaf. The city looks so peaceful and beautiful from high up. Like nothing you've ever seen.

Q: Other than Rio, your favorite place in the world to visit is. . .
Jewel: I've never really been anywhere else. . . but I guess Minnesota. I've heard from a pretty reliable source that its nice. And my favorite things to do there are. . . I’ve never seen snow. I want to see what it's like. Maybe build a snowman or go ice skating.

NICO & PEDRO
Q: Where is your favorite restaurant in the world?
Pedro/Nico: The marketplace.
Pedro: They have everything you could ever want.
Nico: That little princess down at the papaya stand. She knows how to pick a ripe fruit.
Pedro: She's a hot wing alright.

Q: Other than Rio, your favorite place in the world to visit is. . .
Pedro: New York City! / Nico: Miami!
Pedro: What?!
Nico: What?!
Pedro: I thought we were gonna rock the rhythms up in the city the never sleeps.
Nico: I thought we were gonna chill and check out the chicks in South Beach.
Pedro: We'll holler back on this one.

Q: Are you a morning bird or a night bird?
Nico: Night birds, baby.
Pedro: Samba all night long.

NIGEL
Q: Where is your favorite place to go in Rio?
Nigel: There are so many places that are wonderful venues for mayhem making madness. The beach – I delight in pooping on people and blaming the seagulls. Then I go to the market and handle all the samples.

Q: A typical Saturday night is. . .
Nigel: Honestly they usually go one of two ways –sharpening my claws, polishing my beak – you know the usual preening rituals, or smuggling exotic birds out of the country for nothing but the highest price.

Q: What is your favorite sport?
Nigel: I enjoy a good game of squash. . . squash your competitor at any opportunity!

LUIZ
Q: What is your go-to snack when you are traveling?
Luiz: Maybe pretzels. Nothing with peanut butter though, bro. You ever see a dog eat peanut butter. That stuff gets all on the roof of your mouth and it's all sticky. . . I gots enough problems with drool.

Q: Other than Rio, your favorite place in the world to visit is. . .
Luiz: There's other places than Rio?

Q: And your favorite things to do there are. . .
Luiz: There are other things to do than dance and eat?

Q: A typical Saturday night is. . .
Luiz: Sometimes trying to break a chain connecting two new friends together in order to set them back on course to their normal lives, or just goin' down to see Nico and Pedro sing at the club.

Q: What is your favorite sport?
Luiz: Well I don't know if it's a real sport. . . but I like to chase birds and catch 'em and. . . just kidding bro, just kidding. Soccer! Everyone loves soccer in Rio!

I think this movie sounds pretty funny! What do you think? Leave a Comment and give us your opinion.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Photos and character interviews courtesy of Warner Bros.; George Lopez interview by Marie Morreale

Comments

[Comment #26]

This movie was so funny i was laughing almost the whole time!!!!It was way better then hop

[Comment #27]

ilove george lopez

[Comment #28]

This is a great movie!!!

[Comment #29]

hi

[Comment #30]

I LUV THIS MOVIE LOL

[Comment #31]

wow

i want to see this

sorry haven't been on for a long time!!

[Comment #32]

this movie looks so cool

[Comment #33]

my faverit part was when the birds hit that butt lol

[Comment #34]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't know george lopez was going to be in RIO well now i bet it will be funnier LOL :)

[Comment #35]

this book or movie is cool

[Comment #36]

I

HATE

THIS

MOIVE

[Comment #37]

the movie looks funny

[Comment #38]

george lopez in this movie is funny and peaceful and cool i love the movie IT ROCKS!!!!!!!

[Comment #39]

havent seen maybe ill by it

[Comment #40]

Well, I saw Rio, just a week ago, and I thought it was rather... childish. I know; OMG George Lopez!!! But... no OMG this time. Just my opinion!
-TEALFLY2

[Comment #41]

to george lopez,
you are in to many shows!next time say no and tell the people to hire me instead!!if u could do that i wish you would!! lol

[Comment #42]

I want you people to pick me for the show!!!!!!! So please pick me and my friends to be in you movie next time!!!! :D :)

[Comment #43]

IF you guys make another movie I would be the best select because i can MEMORIZE all my lines

[Comment #44]

I need 2 watch it.

{Check it out get it get it girl show us show us how You role!!}

[Comment #45]

i never saw hoping to see

[Comment #46]

i have seen george lopez thoe

[Comment #47]

RIO is awsome i want 2 go see that movie so bad!and william sounds good in it i want 2 see it

[Comment #48]

the movie was great i enjoyed the part when the little bird was dancing and singing and then did a backbend wth his head.

[Comment #49]

Best movie of the year.

[Comment #50]

That movie was good and funny