Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado Cast Talks Big Jungle Adventures, Favorite Sidekicks and Hidden Treasures – INTERVIEW

‘Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado’ cast shares behind-the-scenes stories.

Dora is swinging into a bold new chapter—older, braver, and ready for her wildest adventure yet. Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado takes the beloved explorer and her friends deep into the Amazon jungle, where they must protect an ancient treasure from falling into the wrong hands. The film is directed by Alberto Belli (The Naughty Nine) and written by JT Billings (Are You Afraid of the Dark?. You can catch the live-action family movie on Wednesday, July 2, on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon in the U.S., with a worldwide rollout soon after.

I caught up with the energetic young cast—Samantha Lorraine (Dora), Jacob Rodriguez (Diego), Mariana Garzón Toro (Naiya), Acston Luca Porto (Sonny)—plus the hilarious Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, who voices everyone’s favorite monkey, Boots. And trust me, this group knows how to have a good time—on and off the jungle set.

Dora Grows Up: Samantha Lorraine on Playing an Icon

Samantha Lorraine lights up talking about making Dora her own. “Like you said, Dora is so iconic. She’s this bright light, especially for Latin girls. She’s positive, fearless, and a real leader,” she told me. “I actually had the Dora bob haircut as a kid! So when I got the audition, it felt meant to be.”

Lorraine credits the movie’s adventure and friendship themes for keeping Dora’s spirit alive while giving her a modern twist. “She’s grown up here, but that same hope and courage is still there. I’m so grateful to play her.”

The Cast’s Real Jungle Bonding: Soccer Injuries, Singing, and Secret Snacks

You can’t fake chemistry, and this cast’s off-screen antics prove it. When asked how they bonded, Jacob Rodriguez didn’t hold back. “We had a little too much fun, honestly,” he laughed. “Sometimes we’d get in trouble for going off on these random side quests when we were supposed to be filming.”

Their Colombian location helped build that bond. “Being in the jungle brings you together like nothing else,” Rodriguez said. The group played soccer together daily—sometimes to their own peril. “There’s probably behind-the-scenes footage of Sam kicking my shins,” he joked. “We were limping back to the tram, and the medic was always with us!”

Music was another big part of their jungle memories. “We had our ‘Colombian Summer’ playlist,” Rodriguez said. “The Cranberries were our vibe. We’d blast ‘Linger’ all the time.”

Their Dream Sidekicks: From Snakes to Scorpions

Dora’s best pal Boots has some competition if this cast ever goes solo exploring. When I asked what jungle animal they’d bring along, the answers were pure chaos.

Acston Luca Porto didn’t hesitate: “It has to be a scorpion. And his name would be… Scorpion.” Samantha Lorraine picked a snake named Brittany—because why not? Mariana Garzón Toro wanted a poison dart frog or a bearded dragon to show off on a leash. Meanwhile, Jacob Rodriguez stayed loyal to Diego’s wild side: “An Amazonian panther named Bobby Fisk,” he joked, sparking a group laugh. “Or Diego Junior. But Bobby Fisk sounds cooler.”

Backpack Essentials and Water Bottle Shenanigans

When you’re trekking through the jungle, you’d better pack smart. Porto’s go-to items? “A tent, sleeping bag, and my stuffed llama.” Lorraine’s picks were a hammock, bug spray, and, unexpectedly, gushers candy. “Little snacks are a must!” she said.

Rodriguez revealed his real-life survival must-have: his trusty water bottle. “I’ve had the same one since shooting in Colombia. They used to hide it on me when I went to the bathroom. I’d freak out!” he said, as the cast teased him. “I don’t go anywhere without it.”

Where Would They Explore Next?

If the crew could pick their next adventure, their answers were surprisingly deep. Porto chose a glowing jungle “like a trippy, spacey vibe at night.” Lorraine said she’d love a lost temple, while Garzón Toro wants to conquer her biggest fear: the deep sea. “I have thalassophobia—terrified of deep water—but I’d do an underwater ruin to push myself,” she said. Rodriguez agreed, imagining scuba diving through a hidden shipwreck. “But we’d all have to do it together,” he added.

Gabriel Iglesias: Boots Is Back, Baby!

Of course, it wouldn’t be Dora without Boots. Comedy favorite Gabriel Iglesias—aka Fluffy—lends his voice to the iconic monkey this time around. “Boots has always been that loyal best friend,” Iglesias told me. “He’s the hype man, the comic relief, and the one who’s always got Dora’s back—even if he sometimes causes trouble!”

Iglesias was thrilled to make Boots feel fresh for a new generation. “We gave him more personality, more attitude, but he’s still that same monkey you know and love,” he said. “And I promise, he’s funnier than ever.”

More Adventure Ahead?

With the movie ready to swing into homes this summer, the cast is just as excited as fans for what’s next. “There’s so many more stories to tell,” Lorraine said. “I’d love to see Dora and the crew exploring new places and facing bigger challenges. And maybe more soccer matches—without the sprained ankles!”

So pack your backpack—and your gushers—because Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado is ready to take families on the ultimate jungle ride when it debuts July 2 on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon.

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