“Little Spies” ends TWENTY YEARS; Check out 10 fun facts about the beloved movie!

Twenty years ago, the beloved “Little Spies” franchise officially began.

Directed by Robert Rodriguez, the acclaimed film, which received no less than 93% approval on Rotten Tomatoes for its family theme and Latin and feminine portrayal, revolved around Carmen and Juni Cortez (played by Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara respectively. ), two young men drawn into a world of lies and danger after their parents are kidnapped – who discover they are legendary spies.

Arming themselves with what they can and learning the most insane fighting techniques, Carmen and Juni become responsible for investigating the mysterious Fegan Floop (Alan Cumming), rescuing the hostages he holds in his psychedelic castle and to save the world from possible domination.

It’s hard to believe, but the film turns two today, March 30. And, to celebrate, CinePOP has separated a short list with ten curiosities about the production.

AGE CONFLICT

Carla Gugino was reluctant to accept the role of Ingrid Cortez in the film. The actress said she was too young to have an eight-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl – after all, she was 29 at the time. Rodriguez, meanwhile, said the mother herself had him at the age in question, along with his siblings. Gugino reconsidered and finally brought the character to life

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FAMILY

Gregorio (Antonio Banderas) and his sons, Carmen and Juni, were named after members of Rodriguez’s family. Additionally, Gregorio’s personality was inspired by a famous Texan thief who lived in the 1900s.

TERI, THE POLICE

Prior to staring in the acclaimed drama “ Desperate Housewives ” and voicing the villain of “ Coraline and the Secret World, ” Teri Hatcher was one of the supporting antagonists of “ Little Spies, ” Ms. Gradenko. The character’s name refers to the song of the same name by the band The Police.

GUGINO TO THE RESCUE

Gugino was not the first actress to be considered for the role of Ingrid. Angie Harmon was on the producer roster to play the character, but due to her involvement in the “ Law & Order ” series, she was unable to participate in the film. Kelly Preston (“Jerry Maguire”) was also considered, but she had just given birth and walked away from the project as well.

CAPTAIN CORTEZ

Brie Larson is known for her award-winning role in ‘Jack’s Room’ and for experiencing the MCU’s iconic titular superhero ‘Captain Marvel’. However, when he was younger, he auditioned to play Carmen Cortez in “Little Spies,” whose role went to Vega. On her YouTube channel, Larson said she still doesn’t want to be cast in the movie.

“BETTER THAN TOM CRUISE”

Robert Rodriguez commented in one of the interviews to promote the movie that got Alexa Vega to watch “Mission Impossible 2” before the recording of “Little Spies” began. In the middle of the shoot, he leaned over to Vega and said, “You’re going to be a lot nicer than Tom Cruise,” star of the franchise in question.

TRADEMARK

Danny Trejo is a recurring face in Rodriguez films, and his characters are always named after a type of knife. In “Little Spies”, he brings Isador “Machete” Cortez to life.

WELCOME TO OSS

The Super Spy Organization (OSS, in the original), bears the same initials as the Office of Strategic Services, a precarious WWII body of what we know today as the CIA

HOME MADE

The film was shot for ten weeks and, for the post-production process, Rodriguez edited the feature film in his “garage“. The garage, in fact, is an assembly shop that he built in his own house, but preferred to call it that.

COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

As well as being well received by critics, ‘Little Spies’ caused a box office sensation, starting with $ 26.5 million in its debut weekend and staying in number one for three weeks – until he lost his post at ‘The Daily Bridget Jones’. In total, the film grossed nearly $ 148 million.

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