ICYMI: Gina Rodriguez Finally Becomes An Action Star In 'Miss Bala' Trailer!

I am just going to say what I know we are all thinking: Gina Rodriguez is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry right now, and the hits just keep on coming. Her sweet and captivating stint in the CW satire Telenovela “Jane The Virgin”, which has the finish line in sight as it gears up for its final season, put the actress on the map. Then she pretty much shocked the world with her scene-stealing performance in Alex Garland’s sci-fi masterpiece Annihilation. After successful runs in the genres of comedy and science-fiction, she will take her talents to the land of car chases, gunfights, and explosions. That’s right, people, Rodriguez will finally become what this trailer proves she was born to do -- become one badass action star.

Miss Bala looks to be a high-octane, action-packed thrill ride into the world of drug cartels and human trafficking. The film is based on the Mexican flick of the same name that impressed audiences at Cannes in 2011 and was considered one of the favorites that year. However, this version is more of a reconceptualization of the original in order to give it a more modern approach. This time around, Rodriguez takes on the role of Gloria, a girl who has just lost her parents and heads to Mexico with her friend Isabel, whom she considers to be her family. After a murder goes down, Gloria finds herself with a bag over her head and in the hands of the Cartel. Then, after being forced to do some nasty work for the drug lords, she ends up becoming a mole for the DEA in order to survive. The stakes get even higher when she finds out that Isabel is still alive. She decides to risk everything and play both sides in order to save what little family she has left.

Rodriguez leads a solid cast that includes Avenger Anthony Mackie, “Kingdom” star Matt Lauria, and “Ray Donovan”'s Ismael Cruz Cordova in the film directed by Catherine Hardwicke, who is known for helming movies such as Thirteen and Twilight. The big-budgeted action film from Sony Pictures Entertainment has been described as a classic action rollercoaster and promises to make fans everywhere really want to buy a Miss Bala action figure. The film isn’t just a solid step in the right direction for the genre but for the inclusivity movement in Hollywood as well. Many of the hardworking individuals in front of and behind the camera were Latinos and Latinas. This is something many, including Rodriguez, have been fighting for in the industry for some time, and now it seems to be actually happening. Rodriguez goes from wallflower to warrior in her action movie debut, which promises to be one big step forward in a long and prosperous career!

Miss Bala opens in theaters on February 1, 2019.

(Image via Sony Pictures)

- D.J. Rivera, YH Contributing Writer