One of the fastest-rising young actors might just beIsabela Merced.
So, this movie has been around for a while.
That was around the first time I probably sent in my first audition.
I was maybe 17 for the first audition.
I looked like a baby, and that was the one that John saw.
And then, after the premiere ofLet It Snow, he let me know that he really enjoyed it.
He really wanted me to be Aza.
So that was circa 2018 or 2019.
So that was very exciting to hear.
When you’re in the moment because you’re like,Okay, people say these things.
And then deals fall through all the time.
So, the second time around, I auditioned again.
But this time, the movie is definitely happening.
So we’d love for you to be a part of it."
2.What was your favorite John Green book growing up?
I feel like it was definitelyThe Fault In Our Stars.
That was my introduction to him.
So like, that’s the first book I read of his.
His ability to do that was so impressive.
It was before the movie came out.
So I was very excited.
I was very young.
And so that has to be my favorite of his.
3.What is your favorite book-to-movie or book-to-TV adaptation?
Honestly, most recently,Poor Things.
The book is incredible.
And, like, reading that before you watch the movie is very, very helpful and insightful.
I feel like the world was so camp and so just amazing.
I really, really liked it.
I didn’t even need it to be 100% loyal to the book.
But like, if it works in tandem with the book, I’m happy.
I feel likeTurtles All the Way Downdoes that, too.
We took away some stuff.
But like, we were mostly loyal to the book.
ForTurtles,there are minuscule details that are changed, though.
It’s actually, like, the pad of her finger.
So it changed to that.
Oh, also, Davis doesn’t have glasses.
A lot of people were confused in the trailer because Davis didn’t have glasses.
Which is so funny.
[Laughing] Right.
It’s always like, we get it.
He’s sexy AND smart.
We don’t need the glasses to tell us.
[Laughing] I just feel like it would have been a little too on the nose.
Like,Oh, he’s smart.
He’s
He’s shy.
Like, that’s not how it works.
He’d be like, “That’s not a good idea.
Where’s that from?”
He’s like, “But do we have to?”
I kind of love that from his perspective.
Like he almost gets to go back and redo things if he wants when his books get adapted.
Which is real, though.
Like everybody is embarrassed of their work from years ago.
I do the same thing with my songs.
4.InTurtles All the Way Down, Aza and Davis' love story is very wholesome.
How was it portraying such a sweet relationship alongside Felix Mallard?
There’s a sort of familiarity and instant understanding that’s mostly unspoken.
The scene where we’re staring up at Tau Ceti.
That’s very beautiful to me.
And a lot of it is just glances at each other that make us blush.
I really liked this romance; it feels very natural.
The writers don’t think the audience is dumb.
That makes it all the more exciting, in my opinion.
5.Who were your favorite fictional characters growing up?
I really likedThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
So, all of those characters.
They were great books.
That is one of my favorite book series, too.
I really adore the books.
I love the cover.
I remember the cover, like perfectly from memory.
And then the movies are incredible.Prince Caspianwas awesome.
I remember there was a kissing scene or something, and my parents covered my eyes.
I was like,You would not BELIEVE the telenovelas Grandma watches when you’re not around.
Are you excited about Greta Gerwig’s adaptation?
That’s gonna be so cool.
I wouldn’t necessarily want to be a part of it, though.
I want to be thrown into the world again.
6.You and Cree have such incredible chemistry as Aza and Daisy inTurtles All the Way Down.
How was it working with her and bringing that friendship to life on screen?
Extremely quick, like Daisy, too.
How was it filming that moment?
That day, specifically, it was very hot.
There are no pockets of air.
And the cars get hot really fast.
We’re like on a rig being dragged by another car in neutral.
So it was very heated.
It wasn’t hard to access that sort of exhaustion because we were already feeling it.
Like it was something else, and like Cree’s such a trooper, Cree never complained.
She’s such a professional.
8.Turtles All the Way Downis one of the first movies Hannah Marks has directed.
How was it working with such a young female director on this project?
Studios are constantly coming up with ways to relate to the younger audiences.
So I think having her was just amazing.
I mean, she’s so trendy.
She started off shooting music videos.
That was like her start with directing.
And she was an actor too.
So she knows how to talk to actors.
She just knows what’s cool.
Wait, that’s awesome.
And Hannah surprised me because she didn’t even tell me she was going to use it.
I always love it when actors talk about the music playlists they create for characters.
It’s always so interesting to me.
The Dina one would kill me.
I’m a bigThe Last of Usfan.
Yeah, it’s a lot of folk music, actually.
And then a lot of indie.
Some rock, honestly.
And then [the title] is H-O-T-H-A-W-K-G-U-R-L-S in all caps.
It features a lot of Chappell Roan.
Like hyper-pop, just fruitiness on the side.
What’s your go-to album you’re listening to on repeat right now?
Or a song you’re obsessed with?
I’m really into Chappell Roan.
I’ve been listening to a lot of Cocteau Twins.
I’ve been listening to Jessica Pratt.
Those are my top three, I think.
Not just when it comes to, like, the chemistry that I have with Bella.
But when it comes to everyone in this cast.
Everyone’s like a gem of a human being, and we all get along really well.
It’s just really impressive to me.
And I’ve been trying to ask them like, “How do you do it?
What is your secret?”
Bella and I never did a chemistry read.
Bella and I never met before we went intoThe Last of Us, so it was a big risk.
And we were aware of that.
But ever since watching the first season, I knew I was in good hands with Bella.
Bella’s extremely charming, extremely personable, a natural actor.
Like, even if I sucked as an actor, you’re working with someone like that.
It’s hard to look bad.
I’m really excited.
Oh, I’m excited.
Ellie and Dina are probably two of my favorite characters across any form of media.
I’m excited to see you both bring their relationship to life.
It’s really, really exciting.
There’s a scene in particular that I think is going to be on everyone’s Twitter feed.
I’m glad you’re having fun with it, too.
I mean, like, I’m never alone.
I’m always with Bella.
Bella and I goof off, and we just have a lovely, lovely time.
It depends on how collaborative everyone is.
There wasn’t much collaboration onMadame Web.
However, there is a lot of collaboration onThe Last of Us.
A lot of collaboration.
I really feel like I am heard, and I trust the people that I’m working with.
Like Craig Mazin, he’s able to see so many perspectives, and he oversees everything.
He’s always on set, and on top of that, we have really, really amazing directors.
I’m currently working with Peter Hoar, who worked on the first season as well.
I worked with Mark Mylod, too.
Like very, VERY incredible people.
That’s impressive that you’ve realized that so early in your career.
I should have done what I thought I should have done.So you learn the hard way.
But then, it’s easier going forward once you do it the first time.
The first few times are a little awkward and hard.
It’s almost like finding a way to convey how well you also know your characters and their motivations.
11.Who have you been the most starstruck by?
But I was mortified.
She interrupted an interview that he was IN on a red carpet
No.
Nora, I swear.
Just to be like, “Do you know Dora?”
First of all, I have a government name.
And, like, I would love for him to know my real name.
And she was like, “She’s inDora.”
And he’s like, “I haven’t read the books.”
And I’m thinking,Wait, what?He has no idea what she’s talking about.
He’s like, “I’m sorry.
I’m not familiar with your work.”
And I was like, “Oh, it’s okay.”
Like, hey make this stop because I was a huge fan of his, and I still am.
It’s just like, that lady completely ruined it.
We’re going to have to get you a redo.
We’ll get you a redo with him.
I’ll make it happen.
It’ll be fine.
Of course, like my teenage embarrassing moment is on the internet.
Like, I hope it’s just my fault.
How was it having so many scenes with no dialogue but having to get to a very emotional place?
Like, I find that I have multiple voices in my head.
They all have their own opinions.
And, one probably thinks that they make more sense than the other in the current moment.
I find that I give a shot to stay goofy in between takes.
I tried to keep it light-hearted.
Like, every 10 minutes cost so much money on set.
13.Do you have a dream actor or director you’d love to work with in the future?
Oh, Richard Linklater.
I’m a big fan.
I actually auditioned forMerrily We Roll Along.
Yeah, they ended upcastinga really close friend of mine, Mallory Bechtel, who’s amazing.
I get it, like a different look completely.
I’m very excited for that movie to happen and I think it’s a beautiful story.
As for dream actor, if he were still alive, I would have said Robin Williams.
He’s definitely my favorite actor.
I really admire Rosamund Pike.
I just want to watch their processes.
They just access another state of being whenever I see them in a movie.
It’s out of this world.
14.Do you have a favorite Broadway musical?
Company.EvenThoroughly Modern Millieis great.
Oh my god,The Drowsy Chaperone.
Like, okay
Oh, I LOVEThe Drowsy Chaperone.
Like, favorite Broadway actress, Sutton Foster, FOR SURE.
I miss going to Broadway.
I want to seeThe Great Gatsby.
I want to seeThe Notebook.Merrily We Roll Along.I missedSweeney Todd!
We have to get you back to New York.
But I have walked to the bathroom during a flight and seen someone watchingInstant Family.
Yeah,Instant Familywas mostly watched on a plane, I think [laughing].
I feel like I saw that on the plane a lot.
you might watch Isabela inTurtles All the Way Down, which isstreaming now on Max.
This interview has been edited for length and/or clarity.
