Kirk Acevedo – Arrow

By starrymag | October 15, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you have been working on?

A) I am a series regular on “Arrow.” I can’t really do anything else.

Q) How was Ricardo Diaz originally described to you?

A) Marc Guggenheim and Wendy Mericle last year got on the phone with me and they were describing Ricardo Diaz and what they wanted. They said they didn’t want the typical villain that we normally have on the show – big and dramatic. We want nuanced, simmering under the radar. They said, “Think Al Pacino in The Godfather. That is where we want to go – with Scarface, but just not as over the top.”

Q) His voice and mannerisms all seem to be reminiscent of The Godfather. Do you do anything to physically get into character?

A) That’s basically my voice. My voice is pretty much deep and raspy. Obviously, when you’re playing moments your voice changes so when it’s low and simmering your voice has a different quality. But that’s my voice. I don’t change it or anything. That’s how I talk, pretty much. [laughs]

Q) How do you step into the character then?

A) To be honest with you, it’s pretty much in my wheelhouse. I’ve not been predominantly cast as “the good best friend.” That’s just not my strength. It’s just not what I do. This is what I do. So, this is actually easy for me. It’s easier than playing the best friend, where I have to be lighter and more amiable. This is just like brushing my teeth. [laughs] It’s what I was born to do.

Q) When we last saw Ricardo he fell off the side of a building. What kind of physical changes will we see in him this season?

A) I think he’s a little banged up and that kind of plays into the beginning of the season. You’ll see what I do to remedy that. He’s a little banged up physically.

Q) He had a love turned hate relationship with Black Siren. How will that play out this season?

A) I don’t think so much, which is unfortunate because she was pretty much my partner in crime the whole (especially the second half) of last season. I just don’t think leaning in that direction.

Q) We loved getting to see the backstory for Diaz. Will we get more flashbacks and insight into who he was growing up?

A) I don’t know. You’ll have to wait and see. That’s neither a denial or a yes. [laughs] I’ll say this much, the show is not called “The Dragon.” That’s what I’ll say. [laughs] Unfortunately, I don’t think they can do that every season. They did my character justice by giving me that episode last season. The funny thing about that episode was that when I saw Stephen [Amell] he was like, “Dude! The next episode is all you. I’m out. I’m going away to Hawaii for vacation.” I was like, “What are you talking about?” He said, “You didn’t read the episode?” I said, “No.” I saw the director, Gordon Verheul, he was like, “Dude! The next episode, what do you think?” I was like, “What are you talking about? I have not read the episode. I don’t have it.” He said, “What do you mean you don’t have it?” I said, “It didn’t come out yet.” By the time I read it, I was filming ten hours later. So, I always say that being behind the eight ball some how motivates people at times. But I would say that episode probably would have been, for me, performance wise fifteen percent better if I had it two or three days in advance as opposed to ten hours to come up with better ideas. But having said that, I think the episode was really damn strong and everyone looked pretty good about him.

Q) What is it about Oliver that continues to motivate his vendetta this season?

A) For me, there is no difference between the both of us. There is no difference at all. He’s an anti-hero. So am I. He is not a good person. He kills people, right? I kill people, too. The only difference is he hides who he is and I do not hide who I am. That’s the big difference. I think both characters are exactly the same. They are interchangeable. So, I think there is an animosity there because it’s a little bit hypocritical. So, for me, that’s my motivation as an actor. You’re no better than me. You’re doing things that are illegal also. Also, when someone has something over on you – meaning he won – that kind of gets your goat a little. Payback is a bitch and I want it in spades. [laughs]

Q) There is a rumor about a scantily clad fight scene. What can you tease about it?

A) There is an epic fight scene. It’s epic. It’s literally like ten or fifteen minutes long. It’s brutal. I was so sore for like three days. Then, the fight scene was one whole day or a day and a half. It was a day and a half or two days of fights! So, that’s a lot. It should be epic. There will be nude people fighting. [laughs] I don’t necessarily think it will be me and Stephen. But you never know! We’re only up to episode seven right now.

Q) What have been some of your memorable moments from portraying Ricardo Diaz?

A) Just the character. Other than me doing theater in New York early on before I even started TV or anything else, this is probably my favorite work because it’s just so much fun. I get to be a supervillain – so to speak. And I get to do it unapologetically. Obviously, that episode The Dragon was pretty damn cool with my own dragon logo. Also, just playing different moments with the different actors. This season I get to work with different actors that I didn’t get to work with much last season. I think overall just playing the character. I have so much fun playing him. Most people don’t know this, I had a fight with Diggle (David Ramsey) and in that episode I broke my foot in three different places and tore a ligament. Wednesday night that happened and I filmed Friday afternoon the scene where I kill Cayden James (Michael Emerson). I had a walking boot on in that scene. That was one of my favorite scenes. Michael and I worked with each other on “Person of Interest,” so we had so much fun working together. It’s like playing tennis with someone, acting wise. It was fun!

Q) Talk about working with costar Stephen Amell.

A) So much fun! I like to ad lib a lot and change stuff up. It does not bother him and I think he actually enjoys it. I think he works the same way. It’s business when we’re working with each other, so we’re not supposed to like each other so we play into those moments. Then, when it’s “cut” it’s all fun and games.

Q) We loved seeing Michael Emerson guest star last season. Who can you tease will be making a guest appearance this season?

A) Vinnie Jones and Michael Jai White. There are a couple of other people that I had fun working with.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive from the Arrowverse?

A) What’s so funny is last season I got a lot of flack from the “Olicty” fans. [laughs] When I did the show I never saw one episode. I don’t really watch TV; I watch sports. So, I didn’t know the social-political dynamics of the show and the fandom. Someone said, “I can’t wait for The Dragon to come on the show. I hope he snaps so-and-so’s neck.” I liked their tweet. So, someone said, “How dare you?! You just came on the show. You want to snap a woman’s neck.” I’m like, “I didn’t say that! I just liked the tweet because I’m tweeting as Kirk Acevedo and I’m also tweeting as the character The Dragon.” So, I’m rooting for my character as any actor would. I might have to do something bad to someone else’s character so I’m going to root for me. So, they were like, “Yeah, but you’re rooting against the actress who plays Felicity. That actress needs a job!” I go, “Guys, you’re taking this way too seriously. I play a bad super villain. I’m rooting for me and fuck everybody else. If I can kill everyone and I win – I hope I do that.” So, these people are taking these things way too seriously. To answer your question, I do. Not as much this year just because politically so much is going on. [laughs]

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I just thank everyone for supporting me and watching the show. I have fun doing it. I really enjoy doing it. The “Arrow” fans are so passionate and that’s what I love. I take my work seriously and I do it with passion. It’s good to see other people fight for their show with that same passion. All love to them!