'acapulco' Fourth And Final Season Has A Message About Mexico, Star Eugenio Derbez Says

In nan Apple TV+ show “Acapulco,” Máximo Gallardo was first introduced to viewers arsenic nan awesome of nan American dream — a young, working-class edifice worker successful Mexico who yet becomes a multimillionaire pinch a large mansion successful Malibu, California.

But Eugenio Derbez — prima and executive shaper of nan bilingual deed bid — wants viewers to retrieve Máximo successful nan show's 4th and last play arsenic a illusionist who besides represents nan moxie and productivity of hardworking Mexicans.

“I want ‘Acapulco’ to beryllium remembered arsenic a vibrant, bilingual bid that celebrated Mexican civilization pinch warmth, humor, and authenticity,” Derbez said via email successful an question and reply pinch NBC News. “For American audiences, I dream it reshapes perceptions: that Mexico is much than headlines — it’s rich | successful identity, beauty, resilience, and heart.”

“He’s not modeled aft 1 existent figure,” Derbez said astir Máximo, adding that his character's ambition and business instincts resonate pinch galore self-made entrepreneurs successful Mexico — group who activity tirelessly to build thing lasting.”

Camila Perez, Carolina Moreno and Fernando Carsa successful "Acapulco," now streaming connected Apple TV+.Cate Cameron / Apple TV+

Viewers first met Máximo successful play 1 arsenic he started to show nan communicative of himself arsenic a young, energetic excavation boy astatine nan glamorous edifice of Las Colinas successful Acapulco, Mexico. (The young Máximo is played by Enrique Arrizón).

Now successful play four, Máximo is poised to reopen nan edifice arsenic its caller owner, and reconstruct nan bequest that made Acapulco an world destination for nan rich | and famous.

Hollywood legends Rita Hayworth, Errol Flynn and Orson Welles first made Acapulco celebrated for Americans successful nan 1940s. Elvis Presley and moreover nan Flintstones expanded that Riviera fame successful nan 1960s. It wasn't conscionable Americans who put Acapulco connected nan representation — but Mexican icons specified arsenic comedic brilliant Cantinflas and Grammy-winning popular vocalist Luis Miguel besides made nan metropolis a family sanction for Spanish speakers each complete nan world.

Off screen, Máximo tin reflector nan tenacity and ambition of Derbez, who established himself arsenic a one-man-show — writing, producing, directing and acting — successful aggregate bid for Mexican tv earlier moving to Hollywood.

Eugenio Derbez successful "Acapulco".Cate Cameron / Apple TV+

In nan U.S., Derbez transitioned successfully to nan large screen, starring successful 2011 pinch Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes and Al Pacino successful nan drama “Jack and Jill.” In 2012, he was featured pinch Eva Mendes, Matthew Modine and Patricia Arquette successful “Girl successful Progress.”

But his large break happened successful 2013 pinch “Instructions Not Included,” successful which Derbez demonstrated immoderate of that Máximo moxie: The drama astir a Mexican playboy forced to raise his mini girl that he wrote, produced, directed and starred successful became nan highest Spanish-language container agency deed of each time—grossing complete $100 cardinal worldwide.

Since then, Derbez has had different successes pinch “How to Be a Latin Lover” and “Overboard.” And successful 2021, he played a euphony coach successful “CODA,” which won nan Oscar for champion picture.

In 2023, Derbez challenged viewers pinch different heartfelt communicative astir Mexico. He produced and starred successful nan Spanish-language comedy-drama movie “Radical.” The movie was inspired by a 12-year-old Mexican woman who was featured connected nan screen of Wired mag successful 2013 arsenic “The Next Steve Jobs.”

Now, pinch “Acapulco” kicking disconnected its past play Wednesday, Derbez is looking for different ways to show authentic illusionist stories.

Enrique Arrizon, who plays nan young Máximo and Camila Perez successful "Acapulco".Cate Cameron / Apple TV+

“Going forward, I’d emotion to research much stories from Mexico—and moreover stories from different Latin American countries that merit world representation,” he said.

Derbez is proud of “Acapulco” because it represents Mexican civilization “without stereotypes.” And while Hollywood has made advancement telling divers stories, he calls connected nan manufacture for much activity to beryllium done.

“I deliberation we request to spell beyond token gestures. Putting a Latino character successful a supporting domiciled doesn’t automatically make a task inclusive,” he said. “True inclusion originates erstwhile we show stories astir Latinos — stories that are authentic, layered, and compelling. Stories that don’t conscionable resonate pinch Latino audiences, but pinch nan full world.”

And this, Derbez says, is what viewers tin spot successful “Acapulco.”

“It’s not a show for Latinos—it’s a show wherever Latinos are astatine nan center, but nan themes — love, ambition, family, nonaccomplishment — are universal,” he said. “We conscionable hap to beryllium speaking Spanglish and wearing guayaberas.”