Doug Jones Breaks Down Operation Taco Gary’s, Alien Chaos and 40 Years of Iconic Roles – INTERVIEW

Doug Jones reflects on his career while talking about Operation Taco Gary’s.

Doug Jones, the unforgettable performer behind fan favorites like Billy Butcherson in Hocus Pocus, the Silver Surfer in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and Abe Sapien in Hellboy, is no stranger to playing creatures, aliens, and cinematic oddities. However, in Operation Taco Gary’s, the veteran actor takes a sharp comedic turn in a film that fully embraces its absurd title. The new comedy, written and directed by Mikey K, is now playing in theaters and stars Simon Rex, Dustin Milligan, Brenda Song, Tony Cavalero, Arturo Castro, and Doug Jones, with Jason Biggs.

The story follows two brothers whose cross-country road trip spirals into global conspiracy chaos. What begins as a simple journey quickly becomes an alien-infused takeover plot filled with outrageous twists. At the center of that chaos is Jones.

When I spoke with Jones about Operation Taco Gary’s, he admitted the script instantly stood out.

“I read the script and was like, oh, my gosh, I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Jones said. “It was the most original zany. It reminded me of those 80s comedies that were out all the time in movie theaters.”

Why Operation Taco Gary’s Felt Different

The opportunity came from a producer Jones had previously worked with years earlier. Although many know him for horror and creature performances, this time the appeal was comedy.

“He said, ‘Doug, I think you’re going to like it. It’s very funny,” Jones recalled.

For Jones, Operation Taco Gary’s offered something transitional. While he plays an alien orchestrating a planetary takeover, the character exists somewhere between creature work and human performance.

“I’ve been known for playing lots of monsters and rubber-clad aliens and creatures, and now I want to play more humans,” Jones explained. “Here was this character that is kind of right in the middle.”

In the film, his alien does not rage or threaten destruction. Instead, he calmly explains the logistics of taking over Earth.

“I’m not like, ‘You humans will all die,’” Jones said. “He’s more like, ‘No, this is what we do.’”

That grounded delivery makes the outrageous moments land even harder.

Committing to the Absurd

Comedy often requires full conviction, especially when dialogue veers into unexpected territory. Jones embraced that challenge head-on in Operation Taco Gary’s.

“The things that came out of my mouth just… it was sexy. It was grotesque,” he said. “When you’re doing comedy, you have to commit to it as though this is the real thing.”

That commitment fuels one of the film’s most talked-about reveals, which leans fully into the film’s wild tone. Rather than underplay it, Jones delivers the moment with straight-faced confidence.

Moreover, he approached the character with efficiency rather than an elaborate backstory.

“Because it wasn’t a heavy drama, I didn’t feel that I needed to create my backstory,” Jones shared.

Instead, he imagined an alien leader who had executed similar takeovers before.

“We’ve done other planet takeovers in the past, probably, and I’m the one who knows how to get it done efficiently and under budget,” he joked.

From Pan’s Labyrinth to Operation Taco Gary’s

Jones’ career spans nearly four decades. This June marks 40 years since his first paid acting job. During that time, he has portrayed some of the most visually striking characters in modern fantasy and genre cinema.

From the Pale Man and the Faun in Pan’s Labyrinth to the Silver Surfer and beloved roles in Hocus Pocus and Hellboy, Jones consistently brings humanity to even the strangest figures.

“I want to find the humanity in it,” he said of playing otherworldly characters. “That’s what the audience can relate to.”

Even villains, in his view, operate from survival instincts rather than pure evil.

“That’s how you play a bad guy effectively,” Jones explained.

That philosophy carries into Operation Taco Gary’s. While his alien character plans a takeover, he approaches it like a business strategy, not destruction.

The Cast and Theatrical Experience

Operation Taco Gary’s blends conspiracy comedy with road trip chaos, anchored by performances from Simon Rex, Brenda Song, and Dustin Milligan. Jason Biggs adds to the ensemble energy, creating a cast that leans fully into the film’s irreverent tone.

Jones praised the absurdity of the script and its throwback energy.

“We need another zany comedy right now more than ever before,” he said.

With the film now playing in theaters, audiences can experience that chaos on the big screen, where the physical comedy and outrageous reveals land with maximum impact.

Connecting With Fans After 40 Years

Beyond film sets, Jones has built a powerful connection with audiences at conventions for nearly two decades.

“What you get at a convention is an experience you can’t get anywhere else,” he said.

Fans often share personal stories about how his performances helped them through illness, grief, or difficult chapters in life.

“Those are lovely stories that I would never hear if I wasn’t at that con to meet them one on one,” Jones added.

That emotional connection underscores why his transition into comedy with Operation Taco Gary’s feels natural. Whether he plays nightmare fuel, gentle fantasy guides, or an alien in a taco stand apron, Jones always anchors his roles in something human.

With Operation Taco Gary’s now in theaters, audiences can see a new side of Doug Jones while still enjoying the unique physical presence that made him iconic.

Sometimes, saving or taking over the world simply requires the right delivery and maybe a paper hat.

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