Isabela Merced Teases Turtles All The Way Down & Her Upcoming Superman Role

Isabela Merced breaks down taking on the leading role in Turtles All The Way Down and taking on a powerful mental health story. John Green’s work is making the jump from page to screen, as Turtles All The Way Down will be brought to life, based on his young adult novel from 2017. This is Green’s latest book getting a film adaptation, as the author serves as an executive producer on Turtles All The Way Down, as it joins The Fault in Our Stars, Paper Towns, and Looking for Alaska.

In Turtles All The Way Down, Merced plays Aza Holmes, a 16-year-old High School student who deals with the many challenges of having OCD, as it controls a lot of her everyday life. However, as Aza tries to maintain her anxiety and system for her OCD, new obstacles rise as she begins to connect again with a long-time childhood crush, which is easier said than done. Hannah Marks directed Turtles All The Way Down, which also stars Cree, Felix Mallard, and Judy Reyes, and will be hitting the Max streaming service on May 2.

Screen Rant recently interviewed Merced herself about taking on one of Green’s infamous works as Aza in Turtles All The Way Down and the exploration of OCD. Throughout the interview, Merced reflects on her experience taking on such a crucial role and story that involves the challenges of mental health. Merced also looks at what’s ahead with joining James Gunn’s Superman movie cast, as she will be playing the first big-screen version of Hawkgirl.

Isabela Merced Previews Turtles All The Way Down

Screen Rant: I love the movie, first of all, it’s really a powerful story. How do you prepare for a role like that as an actor that really takes on a lot of mental health with the story?

Isabela Merced: Well, I had the script, it was very detailed and I think they did a really good job of taking the book and taking what would mostly be a voiceover movie and not making it one. You only hear the voiceover when it’s her anxious thoughts, I think that was really carefully curated and crafted.

I had John Green to refer to and to defer to, he always was there for me, he’s a producer of this movie, and even just watching him – because this character is basically like him and a very honest depiction of his struggle – I pretty much just watched him and his mannerisms and the way he talked. I parented him in somewhat of a subconscious way, and also just have a lot in common with Aza. Although I don’t suffer from OCD, I am a very anxious person and probably won’t get around with some undiagnosed stuff too. But I feel like Aza and I have everything in common minus her being an introvert and me being an extrovert.

There are a ton of scenes in this film where you have to act by yourself, was there one in particular that was particularly challenging for you?

Isabela Merced: I’m gonna be so honest, I’m kind of bad at memorizing like big paragraphs. I think whenever there were big paragraphs, I was always stressed out like the night before, I tried to do it on the weekend. But it’s just a lot of information to withhold to your brain. Then when the pressures is on you [and they] start rolling, and you immediately forget.

he Turtles scene where the title gets explained, I had to go on a rant about the Russian dolls that you open up and there’s one inside of each one. I could not recite that back to you, but that was definitely a struggle for me [laughs] and then I think what’s easier for me though is listening to other characters. I don’t find that challenging, my listening face is really just me listening to them.

Merced Teases James Gunn’s Superman & Future Projects

Before I let you go, I was hoping to talk a little bit about the Superman movie. How’s filming going for you and is there anything you can tease about Hawkgirl, have you tried on your suit?

Isabela Merced: Oh, well, I have to say your house reminds me of Nathan Fillion’s house, he has a Superman doormat and he has a doorbell actually plays the theme of Superman entering his Fortress of Solitude. It plays the theme when you walk into the house and I’m really excited to work with him. He’s a great Green Lantern casting choice and Edi Gathegi is amazing, as well as Mr. Terrific. We’re going actually this Sunday, I think to film the first stuff, yeah. [Editor’s Note: this interview was conducted on Friday, April 5, two days before the Sunday that Merced was referencing]

In the suit, I am hoping?

Isabela Merced: Yeah, yeah, of course!

You’ve dealt with big projects like Marvel and DC, so what are you hoping to do next and what do you have coming up next besides Superman?

Isabela Merced: I’m in Alien: Romulus that’s coming out in August and The Last of Us season 2 where I play Dina.

About Turtles All The Way Down

TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN tackles anxiety through its 17-year-old protagonist, Aza Holmes (Isabela Merced). It’s not easy being Aza, but she’s trying… trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, and a good student, all while navigating an endless barrage of invasive, obsessive thoughts that she cannot control. When she reconnects with Davis, her childhood crush, Aza is confronted with fundamental questions about her potential for love, happiness, friendship, and hope.

Check back soon for our other Turtles All The Way Down interviews here:

• Felix Mallard & Cree
• Hannah Marks (Director) & John Green (Executive Producer)

Source: Screen Rant Plus