The Madrid interpreter and the character ‘Rober’ cross their paths 20 years later in the series that is born from the Un Paso Adelante project
It seems that the years never pass by him. Miguel Ángel Muñoz (Madrid, 1983) meets two decades later with one of his most iconic characters, Rober. The one with which he shone, sang and danced on the small screen in Un Paso Adelante (UPA). The series that revolutionized television and mobilized authentic masses returns to television renamed UPANext (Atres Player). Of course, despite the fact that the embryo of the project feeds on its predecessor and the bet goes along the same lines, the protagonists insist that it is not a reunion. “It is a new series, with new faces. I wouldn’t like to see the same thing,” says the actor.
– Why do you strive to mark distances between the two series?
– Because I have never liked sequels; UPA Next is not a reunion. If it were a comeback, Pablo Puyol or Natalia Millán would have to be there, among others. Yes, there are Mónica Cruz or Beatriz Luengo. I have kept in touch with all my colleagues from back then. But that has already been seen, it has already been told. The thing to do now is to present something new. Twenty years have passed, I would not like to see the same. Of course, recovering some historical figures seems like a good idea for the most nostalgic followers. It is, in a way, a spin-off (derived series), as ‘Aida’ was from ‘Seven Lives’.
– When the project was endorsed, were you excited to revive a character that marked you or did you think that door should be closed?
“It was very difficult for me to make the decision. On a personal level, as well as professionally, I had a lot of respect for the success we achieved. UPA was a series ahead of its time and revolutionized the sector, ensuring that there is now a wide range of performing arts projects on Gran Vía that were scarce before. And that’s why, until I read the fifth chapter, I didn’t say ‘yes’. In the series I come from Miami with the aim of finding the best talents to bring back UPA Dance, which was the musical group. I work at the Carmen Arranz dance school –the same one from UPA–, but from there a new series begins. Another way.
– You will not be able to deny that you would feel a kind of ‘déjà vu’ when you set foot in the academy again.
– I felt it when one day we all had dinner with Lola Herrera (she will play the role of school director again). It was a very nostalgic scene that gave me goosebumps. It was also impressive to step on the set and relive memories of every corner.
– How did you find the character? Does he maintain that bit of arrogance from then?
-It has evolved to the new times, and so it should be. It is true that we cannot lose the essence of ‘Tito Rober’, because the nostalgic viewer could otherwise feel disappointed, but at the same time we must be very aware of the limits of society. Not even half of the character from twenty years ago could be broadcast right now. It is true that this is his identity, but it suits us that positive references are created in a youth series.
– Aren’t you afraid that they will confuse the person with the character?
– I face the role with the same illusion of then. I had so much fun with it and I’m having so much fun now. At 18 years old, he had no prejudice or qualms about what he was doing, whether my character was going to like him or not. And now more of the same, because I’m not worried that people will confuse the person with the character. And that makes me feel very calm.
– He had to learn to dance to access the first casting. How has the preparation been now?
– I lied to get in. He was the only one who was neither a dancer nor a singer. He had been an actor for eight years and wanted to go to the United States to an acting academy to do what my character would later end up doing. Each shoot was a learning for me. So now I’m injured (laughs). I swim daily to stay in shape. Because there is some nod, of course, to the ‘Rober’ who danced back then.
– Do you feel that you play almost a ‘godfather’ role, along with Mónica Cruz and Beatriz Luengo, for the new generation of actors in the series?
– That they can have us as references excites me. It is very nice that they ask us how it went, clarify doubts about the history of the series… We are a family that wants to launch through a fiction some values to the society of effort, of fighting for a goal in a healthy way.
– Are you in the best moment of your career?
– I always try to think that it is, but it is true that this one can be. Next week I premiere ‘Daddy Daughter Trip’, but I’m also still on tour with ‘The co-pilot’s syndrome’ and directing ‘100 days with Tata’.
– Today he also receives the Festival award.
– Life surprises me all the time, it makes me very excited because people from my environment also come to be with me.
– Do you still carry your childhood pillow wherever you go?
– Yes, I’ve brought it to Vitoria, otherwise I can’t sleep (laughs).
#UPA #reunion #good #parts