Carla Gugino Reflects on Spy Kids Friendships After 24 Years

Carla Gugino reflected on the enduring friendships formed during her time in Spy Kids. This month marks 24 years since the first film premiered. At the New York City premiere of her latest film, The Friend, on March 24, she shared that she maintains connections with several Spy Kids co-stars. This is prepared by SSP.

Gugino mentioned notable friendships: "Antonio [Banderas], Alan Cumming, who is a dear, dear friend, and Tony Shalhoub," she explained. She cherishes her experiences with this "amazing group of actors." Recently, she saw Spy Kids director Robert Rodriguez while attending film awards in Austin, Texas. "He’s just a total gem," Gugino added.

In the Spy Kids movies, Gugino plays Ingrid Cortez, a secret spy mother, while Banderas portrays her husband Gregorio Cortez. Daryl Sabara and Alexa PenaVega star as their children, Juni and Carmen. "That was such a beautiful experience for all of us," she recalls. "It’s crazy that it’s been that long." The franchise debuted in 2001, followed by two sequels in 2002 and 2003, with two additional films released in 2011 and 2023.

Gugino reflected on feeling underqualified for her role as Ingrid when filming began. "I was 27 when I did that role, so I was too young. I was supposed to have been a spy for 10 years and then had two kids who were like 9 and 11." She shared Rodriguez’s supportive words: "He looked at me and said, ‘You do your job and no one will notice.’"

Discussing the impact of Spy Kids, she said, "The series continues generationally. It’s one of those timeless movies, which I really appreciate—it’s taken on its own life."

In her latest project, The Friend, Gugino stars alongside Naomi Watts. This film explores themes of friendship and grief when Watts’s character adopts a 150-lb Great Dane after the death of its owner, portrayed by Bill Murray. Gugino and Watts share a long history but had never before worked together.

Earlier, SSP wrote that Maren Morris discussed how her son Hayes influenced her music.