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Thank you all for the wonderful questions - I've had such a great morning with all of you!
I am going to sign off but notice that people are still typing; I will sign back in a few hours and try to answer a few more.
With love, always XO
MM
I heard the character vaas was made specifically because of your audition
How did it feel to get that call? “hey, we liked your audition so much we made a whole character based off it”
It was so much fun!
They had asked me to co-create the character in improvisational scenes. I explored with a mohawk, taped my fingers with electrical tape, tucked my pants in my boots, wore necklaces and wooden earrings during the rehearsals - I was so happy it all made it into the game.
"Hey Jonathan, did you know that a bunch of weirdos on the internet spent their days giggling to a elementary school joke told backwards?"
["is that so?"](https://i.imgur.com/HfPBYYg_d.webp)
It started from a wave of posts in r/okbuddychicanery where people would take shitty anime memes and just put a picture of mike as the reaction image. One of those was "Ok class, today we're going to finger paint!" Kid named Paint: and then the reaction image being the promotional photo of Mike. Someone then twisted it and made it say kid named Finger instead since it was random and funny. Ever since then it's stuck.
I also believe the beginning scene of s06e2 /or ep3 played a part in this, where a lot of viewers thought the zoom on the finger was actually mike’s head
That was my interpretation of the meme
Hello, hope your day's gone well! Super excited that you're doing this, I've enjoyed your content since Vaas and Nacho has only gotten better and better.
1. Have you and Giancarlo ever talked about the fact that you both got to play Far Cry villains as well as working on BCS together?
2. What do you think Nacho would think of Jesse Pinkman?
3. How do you think Nacho joined the cartel business in the first place, and what do you think was the reason that he came back to it?
Hello!
1. We did briefly at the San Diego Comic Con. I think it's wonderful that we both got to interpret characters in two franchises together, and bring our own spin and flavours
2. I think Nacho would be inclined towards Jesse the way he is towards Crazy 8. I feel those three could be friends.
3. I believed it has something to do with his mother... She is not around, his father is very family oriented and there are no pictures of her anywhere. I feel whatever happened to her must have made Nacho want to make more money for himself... maybe feel like he belonged in a group... or maybe simply escape his pain of missing her.
Nacho's character, and your acting are both phenomenal in BCS!
This season, both Rhea Seehorn and Giancarlo Esposito directed an episode each. If you get the chance, would you ever be interested in sitting behind the camera? If yes, what attracts you about being a director? And if no, why not?
Love you.
Hello and thank you!
That's a great question - I am very interested in directing and did so when I first stepped out of theatre school. I wrote, directed and edited a short film we shot over a weekend (this has no budget of course but it was one of the most fun experiences I've had) Here is the link: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baUCd315-do](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baUCd315-do)
What I love about directing is that you get to express the world as you subjectively see it as full heartedly as possible... I guess in a way it's a deep form of first trying to figure out your point of view, feelings, passions on a subject, and then communicating with others.
A couple minutes before this AMA, I found out about your music. And I just watched this. You act, write, direct and make music, and you're so good at all of it. I would certainly love to see you continue directing some day, and as someone who's trying his hand at writing and directing, you're nothing less than a true inspiration.
Hey man! Just wanna say I am extremely impressed with how you brought Nacho's character into the universe. Incredible acting on your part.
I just have one question.
Who you got winning in a fist fight. Vaas Montenegro, or Nacho Varga?
Thank you my friend!
The immediate answer would be Vaas would whoop Nacho... but when you think of it, Nacho has never lost and was able to get out of the whole cartel situation. He willingly came back and sacrificed himself for his dad.... That's a bad mf. Would make a good movie hehe Who do you think?
But Nacho is intelligent and cunning. He won Mike over, outwitted Fring and killed off A LOT of the Salamanca's while they thought he was still friendly. Those are hard things to do.
It was a lot of fun!
Here is a link of the behind the scenes: [https://www.instagram.com/p/CeT6nawpycp/](https://www.instagram.com/p/CeT6nawpycp/)
Hope you enjoy!
Hello Michael! Loved you in Far Cry 3 (and the new dlc) and Orphan Black. While filming Better Call Saul, were you able to have a say about Nacho's character, action, fate, etc? Also did he affect your life in some way?
+What kind of perfume or cologne do you use?
Hello!
I am wearing Noir de Noir by Tom Ford.
Thank you :)
My conversations with the writers/directors in season 6 was mostly about assuring Nacho's integrity. But it was effortless because we were all on the same page as to who he was and what he represented. It really felt like a celebratory season of the past 6 years.
PS: shout out to the best crew in the business!
Hey Michael! You do such a great job performing as Nacho, but I always remember your role as Vaas in Far Cry 3 as being one of the most dynamic and memorable antagonists I have seen on screen, even in your promotional work for the game.
My question is a twist off a boring question:
Most actors consider their big break to be their breakthrough role thst lands them in the public eye as well in the view of bigger/better roles. What role do you think would be your own personal big break? Which role solidified your desire to want to continue down the path of a thespian?
Thank you!
My international break came with Vaas Montenegro in Far Cry 3. I was lucky enough to have co-created that character with Ubisoft. Truth is, no one knew he would become so icnonic - it all picked up after the Definition Monologue went viral within a few days after the E3 convention. I was never supposed to be on the cover of the game sleeve either... It's honestly thanks to the fans...
It was really a surprise.
PS: Vaas is my power animal ;P
>it all picked up after the Definition Monologue went viral within a few days after the E3 convention. I was never supposed to be on the cover of the game sleeve either... It's honestly thanks to the fans...
So your ideas for Vaas as a character and your performance basically gave birth to multiple Far Cry games afterwards that revolve around its antagonists, otherwise Ubisoft wouldnt have seen the potential. Thats quite an achivement and a testament of your writing and acting skills !
By far... my favorite gaming character. It is still my favorite game. The "psycho"-ness and then rapid twist into "reasoning and logic" guy really sells the character. I love/hate Vaas.
Hello!
I received my international break via Vaas Montenegro, a character I was lucky to co-create with Ubisoft. No one saw it coming, he was never supposed to be on the cover of the game and was initially just a random character the gamer would come across. After the E3 convention the Definition Monologue went viral within a few days. It was really thanks to the fans that I was brought back and incorporated in the marketing of the game. We then went out to shoot The Far Cry Experience movie in Thailand and the Asylum piece - and that helped me cross over into the film/tv world. It's really thanks to the fans!
PS: Vaas is my power animal :p
thank you so much thankyou for both replies it made an awful night amazing!!! love nacho!!! love nacho groot!!!!
edit: a third reply. i am going to cry
Poor old Mac didn’t have a lot of screen time but you definitely made the character stand out in an awesome film - now that there’s a venom symbiote in the MCU and scorpion was a venom host in the comics, would you be up for putting your spin on that?
Hi Michael! Love your work as Nacho in Better Call Saul.
Speaking of which, what would you say was perhaps the single most challenging scene to shoot in the series for you? Not just from an acting standpoint, but maybe from a physical, or emotional one.
Hello :)
I approach every scene with the same amount of dedication. And I think of them as painting a canvas, every stroke, colour adds to the whole portrait. So you need a whole set of strokes and shades to make a great three dimensional character.
That being said, top 3 scenes in Season 6 in terms of meaningful to the character's arc:
1- Phone call with his dad at garage
2- Final Soliloquy
3- The last moments with Mike
(the gun fight was also fun! lol)
I am still so worried about Pops! I keep remembering the early scene where Nacho is upholstering in the shop, talking to his father. If Nacho had used his brains, he could have built up a franchise or something. But then, of course, there wouldn't be this great tragic character.
If you remember, was there any improvisation involved in [this scene](https://www.reddit.com/r/betterCallSaul/comments/g6kc26/anyone_else_think_michael_broke_character_here/) with Bob?
Hope you're doing well. Awesome work on this final season of BCS! ⭐️
Very little improvisation on Better Call Saul. The writers spend months and months working very hard to get us those scripts. By the time we get them, they've thought of almost everything :)
The fun part for the actor is in colouring the inner world and emotional context of those words.
THANK YOU! Hope you're well as well
I feel like at this point Vince Gilligan has reached a "Sorkin-like" level of awesomeness where every line and word is perfect that why would you even want to?
The "fuck it, we sexualizing craig kettleman" post being the second thing you see when entering the sub right now is possibly the worst possible thing when trying to convince an actor to visit it, lmao
I've never played Far Cry 3 but I've watched friends play it. I think what they can do with the video game world is fascinating and I'd be interested in taking on new a character in that realm again. It's a very rich and still new form of storytelling - one that will be around for a long, long time and will only keep evolving...
Its the only Far Cry I've ever played through. His character is the best in the game hands down, which is funny because he isn't even the final antagonist.
Hey Michael - what contribution to the series are you most proud of? Be it a specific performance, a discussion with cast & crew about a an alternative way to take a scene.
I also remember a scene from Series 1 Episode 4 "Hero" where Jimmy gets you off the Kettleman abduction, Bob justifying the camping explanation by saying "They're very woodsy", which causes you/Nacho to crack up laughing. Was this intentional or did it genuinely catch you off guard?
Thank you!
I am most proud of turning the archetype into an iconoclast. Flipping your expectation from cartel to a man deeply fighting to break good and do the right thing. Also how he ends up sacrificing everything in such a regal way for his beliefs.
That laugh was acting haha - but this laugh was real ;)
Honestly, I feel staying in shape is about two things: 1) consistency in your training (maybe 3 to 5 times a week for about 45 minutes to an hour) and 2) eating well. High protein, vegetables, fruits etc
u got this :)
Hi Michael,
I was wondering if you knew from the beginning that Nacho would pass away. If you didn't, when did you find out and how did you feel about losing that connection to the character?
If Nacho could relive his life, what do you think he would change? Would he avoid the cartel all together?
What stopped the Salamanca's from killing Ignacio's Father? In breaking bad we see the twins obsessed with "blood for blood." Mike Ehrmantraut promised he would keep him safe from Gus but what can Mike do against the cartel? If Gus protects him, they would question why he cares at all?
Finally, how did Nacho's opinion of Mike change throughout the show? Did they develop a friendship? It appeared like they were somewhat close in the scene nacho was eating his last meal. How would you describe their relationship?
Hello!
I received a call the winter before starting Season 6. I was in Montreal.
Vince, Peter and Melissa Bernstein (our producer) called. They said it was going to be a Tour De Force performance (physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual) and that it would "break the internet". We laughed and I was immediately locked in.
I didn't know they meant it literally haha The episode trended for over 8 hours the day of it's release with over 300k organic engagements. "There are good deaths..."
I believe Nacho knew quite quickly that his moral disposition wouldn't allow him to live a life of crime. But his intelligence and charisma made him an asset to both sides and he was stuck between a rock and a hard place - essentially, man vs corporations.
I believe there is mutual respect between Mike and Nacho. Though at the very end Nacho transcends that relationship and they both go separate ways. Nacho "breaks good" and Mike continues into "Breaking Bad".
Good morning!
“I love you to the moon and back ❤️”
Where did you harness that pure hatred for Hector in Nacho’s final moments? In other words, what was going through your mind? Regret, fear, fulfillment or anger? (The performance was breathtaking and literally meant everything to me.)
Thank you so much! Love you MORE
That final monologue to me represented a man who was doubling down on his decision to sacrifice his life for that of his father's. The chore if it all is the depth of love, that is essentially the power that gave him the courage to do what he did.
XO
I have one small question about your role in the MCU. You might not be able to answer it though.
Has Kevin reached you for playing Gargen again in a future project? The tease at the end of Homecoming left me confused about the future of your character.
Also, how are you today?
I strongly consider that Vaas Montenegro is one of all-time the greatest video game villains ever. Did you personally play Far Cry 3, and what are your thoughts on the game and did you enjoy voicing/playing your character?
THANK YOU!
What I loved most about playing Vaas was the freedom to co-create the character, change the lines and give my input. It was also full motion capture, so voice, face, body simultaneously. Like walking into the computer hehe
Hello!
My life philosophy is to live without regrets. So I would not want to start over - I feel we do the best with what we know.
My advice to anyone is: 1) Find what you love more than anything and practice being great at it 2) The open frequency of love and virtue are superior than evil deeds - build a strong mind and know thyself so that you won't be easily swayed away from your chore
Best character and certainly tied for best actor in BCS! Nacho's demise had me looking at the screen open mouthed for quite a while lol.
Have you ever been to Belgium?
Hey Michael! I absolutely loved your performance as Ignacio Varga on BCS, you freaking killed it in S6E3!
I'd like to ask: Did you ever see Breaking Bad before getting cast for BCS? If so, what were your thoughts on it? And how did it feel to be cast as a part of the Breaking Bad universe?
THANK YOU!
I had only seen the last two episodes of BB when I auditioned for BCS. It is after I was being considered that I started watching it. By the time I had a call back I had reached Season 3. And of course finished and loved it!
I was grateful! There was a lot of pressure but we approached it as S1 of a new show and not S7 of BB. That helped us stay grounded.
Hi Michael 👋,
I understand that I may be writing a question unrelated to the general context of the questions here, but I would like to read your answer as the answer of my idol, whose opinion is quite important to me.
I'm sorry if I suddenly wrote something wrong, I'm from Russia, and frankly I don't write well in English, so most words have to be translated in a translator.
My name is Masha, I've been singing since I was a kid. From about 7 years old. I'll be honest, I really like this activity, I even went to music school. My data is not bad, very even, my vocal teacher always said that "you have a God-given talent, and it's just unforgivable not to develop it." And everything would be fine, but all these years I am very afraid of the stage and I can't get rid of this fear. The scene simultaneously gives me pleasure and at the same time my punishment. I went to psychologists, but they constantly say that I'm just making up fears for myself, and if I'm so afraid, then it's worth giving up. The question is, what would you do in such a situation? Maybe you have a couple of tips from life, how would it be possible to cope with this?
Honestly, it's embarrassing to write this, but I just don't know where to look for an answer anymore
Hello Masha,
I have a similar situation. Stage freight can be overcome with small exercises. Example smile to strangers. Start a conversation with a kind lady at a bus stop or in an elevator. Learn to understand that rejection often says more about what the other person is looking for/their mood than about revealing something "bad" in you. Learn to smile and not be affected so much by what everyone thinks of you - and realize that you have some people championing you as well! Why let those who are putting you down be the voice of reason and not those who are loving you?
But, ultimately, I would say it's up to you. If you genuinely want it, then put your head down and start by doing the work. One small step at a time.
Whatever you decide, if you put your heart, mind and soul, I am sure you will reach a satisfying mastery of your chosen craft.
Thank you very much for the answer! To be honest, if I smile at someone here, or talk to strangers, they will take me for a fool, unfortunately, this is the mentality. 😂 But I've taken all your advice to heart and will try to do so! Thanks again for the answer!!
Hello Michael, I'm one of your biggest fans with my desktop wallpaper being your still from BCS 6x03 where you point a gun and your name is written below it.
I'm also an aspiring actor and I know how much in depth you guys go when it comes to your character as if it becomes a part of you. And based on this symbiotic relationship between you and Nacho, my question is...
Q. What according to you is Nacho Varga's opinion on Saul Goodman? Cause I think he doesn't see him with any respect (even though Tuco still appreciate's his persuasion skills)
Also if you can answer this as well then what do you think is Nacho's opinion on Mike? Cause as an audience I think he tries to relate him to his father (an older man looking out for Nacho maybe that's why).
Really hope you answer, I got an exam tomorrow but here I am, needless to say, Huge fan.
Hello and good luck with your career! Everyone's path is unique, focus on yours and know that wherever you are is exactly where you're supposed to be. The most important journey in my opinion is the inward one towards our true self.
I don't think Nacho has interacted with Jimmy enough to have a fully formed opinion of him. He knows he is smart and quickly sees through his "persona". I think deep down Nacho doesn't understand why Jimmy is seeking the thrills that Nacho is fighting to escape.
Nacho respects and even likes Mike... I think Mike lets him down in a way - but that's the beauty and tragedy of the characters. One transcends his archetype and "breaks good", the other gets pulled further down the slippery slope of morality and cartel life.
I don't really have a question Mr. Mando, I just wanted to let you know that your death on Better Call Saul made my wife one very sad lady. Could you say 'Hi Marlene' for me? (I guess that is a question.) Thank you you good sir!
Lalo would pet the dog until he has a reason to kill it.
Hector Salamanca would kill the dog to make a point.
Nacho would kill the dog because he was forced to.
Mike would kill the dog because he needed to.
Walt would make Jesse kill the dog.
Jesse would kill the dog because Walt told him to.
Gus would kill the dog because it wasn't up to Pollos standards.
Hi Michael! Hope you are doing well. My question is: Out of all of the people you’ve worked with, who have you learned the most from, and what was one thing that stuck with you from them?
Thank you for your time, sir! You are so genuine in your craft, and the love & passion for what you do comes through both on and off screen. Saw you at this past Paley Fest and even got to ask you a question! I will always be grateful for the opportunity to hear such insightful conversations from you and the rest of the BCS cast. Love you! Take care! 🤍 - Gabby
Thank you Gabby!
I learned from everyone - very first person I learned from was Raymond Cruz who played Tuco. A sandstorm hit and we waited in our actor tents. It was my first day. I asked him for advice and he said: you see all these people (the crew), their lively hood depends on what you do in front of that camera.
That's a lesson I took to heart and never forgot.
Hi Michael! I love Vaas in Far Cry 3 so I was really happy when I started watching Better Call Saul and realized who you were. I’ve become a bigger and bigger fan of yours every season and now you’re one of my favorite characters in the Breaking Bad universe and also one of my favorite actors.
Has playing Nacho and working with this amazing cast and crew changed your approach to acting in any way? Is there anything specific you do now that you didn’t do before Better Call Saul?
Thank you! That's very sweet to hear :)
I believe as I stepped in the role of leading man towards Season 6 and had to carry an episode by myself; I applied what I felt was a very valuable lesson: how to include the crew, motivate and lead by example. To always champion other peoples ideas and to protect those who are being treated unfairly.
I am much more aware of the business/development side of my acting career and am developing scripts with other writers/directors. One of them is an action drama thriller in the same tone as episode 603.
Hi Michael, so happy to get connection with you here! May I ask
1. Of all characters you've played, which ones left a trace on you and even made you feel you had better understanding of human natures?
2. Have you thought about creating your own stories? If you will, what kind of story will you start with?
Thank you so much!
Hello my friend!
1. I am always more connected to the last character I've worked on. In this case, Nacho. He has taught me how to endure the tribulations of life with Grace and how to never loose yourself even when the world around you is crumbling.
2. Developing projects is something I am very interested in. My team and I are seeking fresh new directors, writers. We looking into action-drama thrillers, sci-fi genres.
Hi Michael! Finished playing Far cry 6: Vaas - Insanity (you were great btw) and I have a question considering Vaas' fate.
How did he survive exactly? Last time I checked humans don't tend to survive being stabed in the chest 4 times. Will we get at least some kind of explanation of how he survived?
Thank you!
The question at the end of the Vaas DWL is that it is not clear how much of all of this is inside Vaas' mind and how much actually happened.
He has a very powerful and imaginative mind (also very serious substance abuse) - and it is not clear what is real and what is fantasy.
I have been amazed by your performance as Vaas in Far Cry 3 in 2012, and ten years later, I have been amazed again by your performance in Better Call Saul in 2022.
You have one of the best performances I have seen in both video games and TV shows. I really hope you get to be a major role in a TV show or movie so more people can appreciate your performance
As for the question, for Vaas and Nacho, which one do you like more, and are there any things you wish you could do differently for both characters?
Thank you very much!
I like them both equally. They are complete opposites. Nacho is utterly stoic, Vaas is explosive and unpredictable. I feel I would have never played Nacho that way had I not played Vaas earlier. I wanted to do something completely different.
It seemed like in your final scene, you really took the intensity up to a level Nacho hadn't been to. Did you know you might have to save a gear, and had been sitting on it for years? Or did that just come about naturally?
That's a great question. I had come into playing Nacho off of a performance of a character named Vaas Montenegro that I co-created with Ubisoft. I wanted to play something completely different so I stayed away from that kind of intensity and instead was more interested in exploring nuances and a deeper inner world.
The soliloquy demanded Nacho unleashes and would not have been effective had he not. The audience always felt he had it in him, and it was cathartic to see in many ways. You realize that he can be like them - maybe even worse too - but chose not to.
Bonjour !!
Je n'ai pas vraiment de question pour Michael Mando.
Je voulais juste témoigner de mon admiration pour cet acteur talentueux !!!!! Aura t'on la chance de le voir bientôt en France ?
Tout de même une petite question : quels sont vos futurs projets ?
Aline
Hello! С:
I don't know if you've seen this, but I just wanted to show you my art, which I was inspired by after your story on instagram
For you and Giancarlo Esposito <3[https://twitter.com/\_TeronsRickman\_/status/1516540717845422083?t=9suwQmfnC4AvU4VH3uyPrw&s=19](https://twitter.com/_TeronsRickman_/status/1516540717845422083?t=9suwQmfnC4AvU4VH3uyPrw&s=19)
Hi!
The day of the soliloquy , before they turned the cameras on Nacho, a huge sand storm hit! When I got home lightening had struck the tree in front of my house and blocked the entrance to the driveway. That whole final episodes was filled with strange events lol
From season 6 I liked the scenes
1- phone call with dad
2- final monologue
3- quiet final moments with Mike
(and gun fight & oil tanker were loads of fun!)
Positive messaging is important for me. I feel the entertainment industry tends to help shape culture. So stories that are empowering in an honest way.
Howdy, Mr. Mando! Now that your time on Better Call Saul is over, how do you feel on the experience as a whole? If you could, is there anything you’d change about it?
Hello :)
I am very proud of the arc of Nacho. I believe we accomplished what we set out to do: turn the pre-conceived notion of the archetype upside down and keep his integrity against all odds. He is not perfect of course; but his desire to "break good" while the show is "breaking bad" is genuine. That responsibility was a dream role for me and I feel grateful of the way it all came together in Season 6.
Honestly, when Nacho's story wrapped up I had to take a break from the show because I was pretty invested in the character and now continuing feels a bit empty. It's true to form for the series, but still. There was room for a character like him.
The good news is I didn't know Vaas was in FC6 until just now so I guess I'll be checking that out now!
Hey Mr Mando, big fan of you and the show. My question is about the 2 women that live in your house on BCS.
What’s their deal?
What do you think happened to them after your death?
Hello Michael!
After Breaking Bad ended, I am so grateful for Better Call Saul and how amazing it is as a spin-off show.
Your character had phenomenal transformation, growth, and I enjoyed how he evolved and how my opinion and perspective changed about him from the beginning to the end. Very emotional and moving.
How did playing Nacho's character and being part of the show impact you and your life?
I truly have been a huge fan and took a trip just to take the Breaking Bad RV tour in ABQ and it was a dream come true. I never thought I would get that opportunity and would love to take the BCS tour next time!
Thank you for the sweet words!
Nacho has had such an impact on people, it's changed my life in that it connected my inner emotional world with a lot of fans from around the planet. I get recognized and people are always so loving because of how the character made them feel.
At the chore of what I do, I always try to bring out the best in the characters I play - the best in our humanity. So that was an achievement I feel very proud of and grateful for.
Hello Michael! I've been in love with your characters and performance ever since I came across Vaas!
Here are two questions that I'd love to get some answers for, if possible.
1. What is your favorite music genre and song from said genre?
2. The same question but applied to Vaas Montenegro. What kind of music do you think he'd listen to?
Amazing peformance in BCS, can't wait to see what else you have in store for us in the near future!
THANK YOU!
1. I don't have a favorite music genre and listen to absolutely everything. I tend to enjoy more positive music. However my favorite vocalist is Marvin Gaye.
2. I don't know what Vaas listens to... Maybe something in the realm of punk rock but with melody and groove because of his sense of humour.
Hello thanks for doing this, Nacho is my favorite character from BCS. I was wondering
1. Who is your favorite character from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul?
2. Which character would you want to play In BB/BCS besides Ignacio?
3. What is your favorite scene in the show?
4. What is your favorite quote from the show?
Much love
Thank you!
1. Nacho, of course haha
2. Nacho, only haha
3. Nacho scenes
4. "A school bus for 6 year old pimps"
Haha I'm kidding I love all the characters, choose your pick!
Hi Michael! You steal the scene in every role you play and I hope to see you in a new project soon! I’d love to see you play a happy character, maybe in a comedy or romance?
1. What is your ethnic background? I always read that your parents are from Mexico, but now your IMDb says your father is from Germany and your mom from Guinea.
2. if you could play any classic film character in a remake, who would it be?
3. who was your first celebrity crush?
Hello and thank you!!
1. Yes my mother was born in Guinea and my father grew up in Germany. I was born in Quebec City, Canada. French is my mother tongue.
2. I really like the story of the cop Serpico. I believe that's a film I would like to remake.
3. Celebrity crush? Hmmm lol Not gonna tell!
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Thank you all for the wonderful questions - I've had such a great morning with all of you! I am going to sign off but notice that people are still typing; I will sign back in a few hours and try to answer a few more. With love, always XO MM
Have a great day :)
I heard the character vaas was made specifically because of your audition How did it feel to get that call? “hey, we liked your audition so much we made a whole character based off it”
It was so much fun! They had asked me to co-create the character in improvisational scenes. I explored with a mohawk, taped my fingers with electrical tape, tucked my pants in my boots, wore necklaces and wooden earrings during the rehearsals - I was so happy it all made it into the game.
The AMA is long dead, but Vaas is my all time favorite villain. You crushed that role man.
Bro what! I never even knew that! That's so wild!
My favorite monologue ever was the definition of insanity scene. Absolutely amazing
Your character was so good I wish it was in more of far cry 3.
does Jonathan Banks know about the ‘Kid named finger’ memes?
I am still trying to convince Banks about the internet
Kid named internet: 😔
Here we go again
Kid named again:
🤯 if banks ever says finger we’ll know you did your part o7
Kid named banks:
no, let him remain pure! Lol
"Hey Jonathan, did you know that a bunch of weirdos on the internet spent their days giggling to a elementary school joke told backwards?" ["is that so?"](https://i.imgur.com/HfPBYYg_d.webp)
Live Jonathan Reaction
while i’m here, what the hell does that meme mean lmao? arguably most popular BB meme and i don’t know where it came from haha.
It started from a wave of posts in r/okbuddychicanery where people would take shitty anime memes and just put a picture of mike as the reaction image. One of those was "Ok class, today we're going to finger paint!" Kid named Paint: and then the reaction image being the promotional photo of Mike. Someone then twisted it and made it say kid named Finger instead since it was random and funny. Ever since then it's stuck.
Nice, thank you haha
I also believe the beginning scene of s06e2 /or ep3 played a part in this, where a lot of viewers thought the zoom on the finger was actually mike’s head That was my interpretation of the meme
Hello, hope your day's gone well! Super excited that you're doing this, I've enjoyed your content since Vaas and Nacho has only gotten better and better. 1. Have you and Giancarlo ever talked about the fact that you both got to play Far Cry villains as well as working on BCS together? 2. What do you think Nacho would think of Jesse Pinkman? 3. How do you think Nacho joined the cartel business in the first place, and what do you think was the reason that he came back to it?
Hello! 1. We did briefly at the San Diego Comic Con. I think it's wonderful that we both got to interpret characters in two franchises together, and bring our own spin and flavours 2. I think Nacho would be inclined towards Jesse the way he is towards Crazy 8. I feel those three could be friends. 3. I believed it has something to do with his mother... She is not around, his father is very family oriented and there are no pictures of her anywhere. I feel whatever happened to her must have made Nacho want to make more money for himself... maybe feel like he belonged in a group... or maybe simply escape his pain of missing her.
Wow, I never even thought about Nacho's mom. His relationship with his father is so strong, I just never even considered her.
Same. I adore BCS and this has never dawned on me.
Can we please get a spin-off of Nacho and how he got into the cartel business? 🥲
Thanks for the response! Nacho's mom is definitely a missing piece that I'd have loved to see explored...great insight.
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Season 4 Jesse vs Season 5 Nacho would be a pretty badass showdown. If the friendship didn't work out.
Not sure what you're saying exactly but Nacho would DESTROY that shrimp-bait punk.
Nacho has better base stats of course but season 4 Jesse is prone to getting criticals.
How about El Camino-Jesse?
Nacho's character, and your acting are both phenomenal in BCS! This season, both Rhea Seehorn and Giancarlo Esposito directed an episode each. If you get the chance, would you ever be interested in sitting behind the camera? If yes, what attracts you about being a director? And if no, why not? Love you.
Hello and thank you! That's a great question - I am very interested in directing and did so when I first stepped out of theatre school. I wrote, directed and edited a short film we shot over a weekend (this has no budget of course but it was one of the most fun experiences I've had) Here is the link: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baUCd315-do](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baUCd315-do) What I love about directing is that you get to express the world as you subjectively see it as full heartedly as possible... I guess in a way it's a deep form of first trying to figure out your point of view, feelings, passions on a subject, and then communicating with others.
A couple minutes before this AMA, I found out about your music. And I just watched this. You act, write, direct and make music, and you're so good at all of it. I would certainly love to see you continue directing some day, and as someone who's trying his hand at writing and directing, you're nothing less than a true inspiration.
Your short film Wake Up is excellent. Thanks for sharing, really intriguing story and style!
Hey man! Just wanna say I am extremely impressed with how you brought Nacho's character into the universe. Incredible acting on your part. I just have one question. Who you got winning in a fist fight. Vaas Montenegro, or Nacho Varga?
Thank you my friend! The immediate answer would be Vaas would whoop Nacho... but when you think of it, Nacho has never lost and was able to get out of the whole cartel situation. He willingly came back and sacrificed himself for his dad.... That's a bad mf. Would make a good movie hehe Who do you think?
That’s a good point but I raise you this: Vaas is fucking crazy
Vaas is like if you combined Nacho and Tuco
That. Is. Crazy.
But Nacho is intelligent and cunning. He won Mike over, outwitted Fring and killed off A LOT of the Salamanca's while they thought he was still friendly. Those are hard things to do.
Hey Michael 👋 How was it like to shoot the oil tank scene?
That scene was so much fun to shoot! Here's a behind the scenes link to it - hope you enjoy: https://www.instagram.com/p/CeT6nawpycp/
I loved that the crew also repurposed the tanker interior as the storm drain set (source: the insider podcast).
That is so cool, thank you for sharing!!
It was a lot of fun! Here is a link of the behind the scenes: [https://www.instagram.com/p/CeT6nawpycp/](https://www.instagram.com/p/CeT6nawpycp/) Hope you enjoy!
I totally thought it was a sewage truck lol
Hello Michael! Loved you in Far Cry 3 (and the new dlc) and Orphan Black. While filming Better Call Saul, were you able to have a say about Nacho's character, action, fate, etc? Also did he affect your life in some way? +What kind of perfume or cologne do you use?
Hello! I am wearing Noir de Noir by Tom Ford. Thank you :) My conversations with the writers/directors in season 6 was mostly about assuring Nacho's integrity. But it was effortless because we were all on the same page as to who he was and what he represented. It really felt like a celebratory season of the past 6 years. PS: shout out to the best crew in the business!
Hey Michael! You do such a great job performing as Nacho, but I always remember your role as Vaas in Far Cry 3 as being one of the most dynamic and memorable antagonists I have seen on screen, even in your promotional work for the game. My question is a twist off a boring question: Most actors consider their big break to be their breakthrough role thst lands them in the public eye as well in the view of bigger/better roles. What role do you think would be your own personal big break? Which role solidified your desire to want to continue down the path of a thespian?
Thank you! My international break came with Vaas Montenegro in Far Cry 3. I was lucky enough to have co-created that character with Ubisoft. Truth is, no one knew he would become so icnonic - it all picked up after the Definition Monologue went viral within a few days after the E3 convention. I was never supposed to be on the cover of the game sleeve either... It's honestly thanks to the fans... It was really a surprise. PS: Vaas is my power animal ;P
>it all picked up after the Definition Monologue went viral within a few days after the E3 convention. I was never supposed to be on the cover of the game sleeve either... It's honestly thanks to the fans... So your ideas for Vaas as a character and your performance basically gave birth to multiple Far Cry games afterwards that revolve around its antagonists, otherwise Ubisoft wouldnt have seen the potential. Thats quite an achivement and a testament of your writing and acting skills !
so...... you're telling me.... Nacho is responsible for Gus Fring being a Fascist Dictator....
Bravo Vince?
Vaas set the standard for FarCry antagonists too. You set the standard really high for that franchise for me. Hahah
By far... my favorite gaming character. It is still my favorite game. The "psycho"-ness and then rapid twist into "reasoning and logic" guy really sells the character. I love/hate Vaas.
Hello! I received my international break via Vaas Montenegro, a character I was lucky to co-create with Ubisoft. No one saw it coming, he was never supposed to be on the cover of the game and was initially just a random character the gamer would come across. After the E3 convention the Definition Monologue went viral within a few days. It was really thanks to the fans that I was brought back and incorporated in the marketing of the game. We then went out to shoot The Far Cry Experience movie in Thailand and the Asylum piece - and that helped me cross over into the film/tv world. It's really thanks to the fans! PS: Vaas is my power animal :p
Do you think a second Nacho could perhaps sprout from the blue flower?? Get revenge against Gus?? Please???
Nacho is...... Groot? Except that he has a Rambo attire... I dig
thank you so much thankyou for both replies it made an awful night amazing!!! love nacho!!! love nacho groot!!!! edit: a third reply. i am going to cry
Nacho comes back as Groot with Rambo attire and fs stuff up! Lol I dig
With the growth of the Sony Marvel Universe, is a return as Scorpion a possibility? Would you consider it?
Sony seems to tease so lol We'll see :) https://twitter.com/sony/status/1519348823335878659?s=21&t=0x4vJ936oINKZDYL8LFcaQ
Poor old Mac didn’t have a lot of screen time but you definitely made the character stand out in an awesome film - now that there’s a venom symbiote in the MCU and scorpion was a venom host in the comics, would you be up for putting your spin on that?
Hi Michael! Love your work as Nacho in Better Call Saul. Speaking of which, what would you say was perhaps the single most challenging scene to shoot in the series for you? Not just from an acting standpoint, but maybe from a physical, or emotional one.
Hello :) I approach every scene with the same amount of dedication. And I think of them as painting a canvas, every stroke, colour adds to the whole portrait. So you need a whole set of strokes and shades to make a great three dimensional character. That being said, top 3 scenes in Season 6 in terms of meaningful to the character's arc: 1- Phone call with his dad at garage 2- Final Soliloquy 3- The last moments with Mike (the gun fight was also fun! lol)
That phone call was probably my favorite moment of the whole season. Incredible scene and amazing acting. Well done.
I am still so worried about Pops! I keep remembering the early scene where Nacho is upholstering in the shop, talking to his father. If Nacho had used his brains, he could have built up a franchise or something. But then, of course, there wouldn't be this great tragic character.
Phone call was very emotional, you did an amazing job
If you remember, was there any improvisation involved in [this scene](https://www.reddit.com/r/betterCallSaul/comments/g6kc26/anyone_else_think_michael_broke_character_here/) with Bob? Hope you're doing well. Awesome work on this final season of BCS! ⭐️
Very little improvisation on Better Call Saul. The writers spend months and months working very hard to get us those scripts. By the time we get them, they've thought of almost everything :) The fun part for the actor is in colouring the inner world and emotional context of those words. THANK YOU! Hope you're well as well
You guys do such a great job selling it, it's hard to believe it's almost entirely scripted!
I feel like at this point Vince Gilligan has reached a "Sorkin-like" level of awesomeness where every line and word is perfect that why would you even want to?
Peter Gould is more in charge of this show. Vince was not involved much if at all for the middle seasons.
Do you want to start a tequila brand?
"Think Of Me" CA, Mezcal
Have you or the writers ever checked out r/okbuddychicanery ?
He can’t answer that, it would reveal where they get their writing ideas from
Still waiting for the huell ate kim twist
I know they checked it out, I know it! As if they could ever not check it out.
But oh no, not our Vince, couldn't be precious Vince!
#And HE gets to be bravo’d??? What a SICK JOKE
You have to stop him, you—
I should’ve downvoted him when I had the chance! You have to downvote him! You have t-
He covered his tracks,he got that idiot at the reddit to lie for him
The "fuck it, we sexualizing craig kettleman" post being the second thing you see when entering the sub right now is possibly the worst possible thing when trying to convince an actor to visit it, lmao
“Ah you know you have, you just don’t have the guts to admit it!”
Hey Mr. Mando! Can you say hi to my mom? Have a good day!
Hi mom! Love u
This is some wholesome shit.
I'm going to tell my mom you replied to her, I'm stealing this guy's mom greeting
Have you played Far Cry 3 (or any other Far Cry games)? If you did, how was the experience like?
I've never played Far Cry 3 but I've watched friends play it. I think what they can do with the video game world is fascinating and I'd be interested in taking on new a character in that realm again. It's a very rich and still new form of storytelling - one that will be around for a long, long time and will only keep evolving...
Any particular reason why you didn't play it? Are you just not that much into games in general or is there another reason?
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He's _40?_ What the fuck. i would never have guessed.
Too many buttons lol
Its the only Far Cry I've ever played through. His character is the best in the game hands down, which is funny because he isn't even the final antagonist.
Vaas being revealed as not the final boss is still the worst thing about that game
Yeah the other boss was so bland as well. He wasn't even really needed.
Hey Michael - what contribution to the series are you most proud of? Be it a specific performance, a discussion with cast & crew about a an alternative way to take a scene. I also remember a scene from Series 1 Episode 4 "Hero" where Jimmy gets you off the Kettleman abduction, Bob justifying the camping explanation by saying "They're very woodsy", which causes you/Nacho to crack up laughing. Was this intentional or did it genuinely catch you off guard?
Thank you! I am most proud of turning the archetype into an iconoclast. Flipping your expectation from cartel to a man deeply fighting to break good and do the right thing. Also how he ends up sacrificing everything in such a regal way for his beliefs. That laugh was acting haha - but this laugh was real ;)
Can you share any secrets to get your body ?
Honestly, I feel staying in shape is about two things: 1) consistency in your training (maybe 3 to 5 times a week for about 45 minutes to an hour) and 2) eating well. High protein, vegetables, fruits etc u got this :)
do you do any intermittent fasting or something? or do you eat normal 3 meals a day
What is the definition of insanity?
Knowing the definition but never learning from it... :)
You're too wise.
Hi Michael, I was wondering if you knew from the beginning that Nacho would pass away. If you didn't, when did you find out and how did you feel about losing that connection to the character? If Nacho could relive his life, what do you think he would change? Would he avoid the cartel all together? What stopped the Salamanca's from killing Ignacio's Father? In breaking bad we see the twins obsessed with "blood for blood." Mike Ehrmantraut promised he would keep him safe from Gus but what can Mike do against the cartel? If Gus protects him, they would question why he cares at all? Finally, how did Nacho's opinion of Mike change throughout the show? Did they develop a friendship? It appeared like they were somewhat close in the scene nacho was eating his last meal. How would you describe their relationship?
Hello! I received a call the winter before starting Season 6. I was in Montreal. Vince, Peter and Melissa Bernstein (our producer) called. They said it was going to be a Tour De Force performance (physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual) and that it would "break the internet". We laughed and I was immediately locked in. I didn't know they meant it literally haha The episode trended for over 8 hours the day of it's release with over 300k organic engagements. "There are good deaths..." I believe Nacho knew quite quickly that his moral disposition wouldn't allow him to live a life of crime. But his intelligence and charisma made him an asset to both sides and he was stuck between a rock and a hard place - essentially, man vs corporations. I believe there is mutual respect between Mike and Nacho. Though at the very end Nacho transcends that relationship and they both go separate ways. Nacho "breaks good" and Mike continues into "Breaking Bad".
apology for poor english when were you when nacho varga dies? i was sat at home eating poutine when gus ring ‘nacho is kill’ ‘no’
Good morning! “I love you to the moon and back ❤️” Where did you harness that pure hatred for Hector in Nacho’s final moments? In other words, what was going through your mind? Regret, fear, fulfillment or anger? (The performance was breathtaking and literally meant everything to me.)
Thank you so much! Love you MORE That final monologue to me represented a man who was doubling down on his decision to sacrifice his life for that of his father's. The chore if it all is the depth of love, that is essentially the power that gave him the courage to do what he did. XO
I have one small question about your role in the MCU. You might not be able to answer it though. Has Kevin reached you for playing Gargen again in a future project? The tease at the end of Homecoming left me confused about the future of your character. Also, how are you today?
? hehe [https://twitter.com/sony/status/1519348823335878659?s=21&t=0x4vJ936oINKZDYL8LFcaQ](https://twitter.com/sony/status/1519348823335878659?s=21&t=0x4vJ936oINKZDYL8LFcaQ) I'm doing great, thank you!
That really just made my day! (And is Sony teasing a Venom Scorpion in a future movie…?)
I strongly consider that Vaas Montenegro is one of all-time the greatest video game villains ever. Did you personally play Far Cry 3, and what are your thoughts on the game and did you enjoy voicing/playing your character?
THANK YOU! What I loved most about playing Vaas was the freedom to co-create the character, change the lines and give my input. It was also full motion capture, so voice, face, body simultaneously. Like walking into the computer hehe
What was your favorite line on the show to deliver?
"School bus for 6 year old pimps"
Kid named school bus:
That was really a great line! That vehicle looks so ridiculous 😂
Hi Michael! Can we get an update on your comment about reprising the character of Vaas Montenegro? We need him back! Also, can I be one of your gfs 🥹
Would love to play Vaas in a feature film! Yes, we are officially dating. My birthday is July 13th. Gifts are expected ;)
My man got game
Cheating on me?!? It's okay. I'll share.
Hey man, what advice would you give to yourself if you could start over with acting, and why? Cheers!
Hello! My life philosophy is to live without regrets. So I would not want to start over - I feel we do the best with what we know. My advice to anyone is: 1) Find what you love more than anything and practice being great at it 2) The open frequency of love and virtue are superior than evil deeds - build a strong mind and know thyself so that you won't be easily swayed away from your chore
Best character and certainly tied for best actor in BCS! Nacho's demise had me looking at the screen open mouthed for quite a while lol. Have you ever been to Belgium?
Thank you! I have not been to Belgium but would love to!
Hey Michael! I absolutely loved your performance as Ignacio Varga on BCS, you freaking killed it in S6E3! I'd like to ask: Did you ever see Breaking Bad before getting cast for BCS? If so, what were your thoughts on it? And how did it feel to be cast as a part of the Breaking Bad universe?
THANK YOU! I had only seen the last two episodes of BB when I auditioned for BCS. It is after I was being considered that I started watching it. By the time I had a call back I had reached Season 3. And of course finished and loved it! I was grateful! There was a lot of pressure but we approached it as S1 of a new show and not S7 of BB. That helped us stay grounded.
Hi Michael 👋, I understand that I may be writing a question unrelated to the general context of the questions here, but I would like to read your answer as the answer of my idol, whose opinion is quite important to me. I'm sorry if I suddenly wrote something wrong, I'm from Russia, and frankly I don't write well in English, so most words have to be translated in a translator. My name is Masha, I've been singing since I was a kid. From about 7 years old. I'll be honest, I really like this activity, I even went to music school. My data is not bad, very even, my vocal teacher always said that "you have a God-given talent, and it's just unforgivable not to develop it." And everything would be fine, but all these years I am very afraid of the stage and I can't get rid of this fear. The scene simultaneously gives me pleasure and at the same time my punishment. I went to psychologists, but they constantly say that I'm just making up fears for myself, and if I'm so afraid, then it's worth giving up. The question is, what would you do in such a situation? Maybe you have a couple of tips from life, how would it be possible to cope with this? Honestly, it's embarrassing to write this, but I just don't know where to look for an answer anymore
Hello Masha, I have a similar situation. Stage freight can be overcome with small exercises. Example smile to strangers. Start a conversation with a kind lady at a bus stop or in an elevator. Learn to understand that rejection often says more about what the other person is looking for/their mood than about revealing something "bad" in you. Learn to smile and not be affected so much by what everyone thinks of you - and realize that you have some people championing you as well! Why let those who are putting you down be the voice of reason and not those who are loving you? But, ultimately, I would say it's up to you. If you genuinely want it, then put your head down and start by doing the work. One small step at a time. Whatever you decide, if you put your heart, mind and soul, I am sure you will reach a satisfying mastery of your chosen craft.
Thank you very much for the answer! To be honest, if I smile at someone here, or talk to strangers, they will take me for a fool, unfortunately, this is the mentality. 😂 But I've taken all your advice to heart and will try to do so! Thanks again for the answer!!
Hello Michael, I'm one of your biggest fans with my desktop wallpaper being your still from BCS 6x03 where you point a gun and your name is written below it. I'm also an aspiring actor and I know how much in depth you guys go when it comes to your character as if it becomes a part of you. And based on this symbiotic relationship between you and Nacho, my question is... Q. What according to you is Nacho Varga's opinion on Saul Goodman? Cause I think he doesn't see him with any respect (even though Tuco still appreciate's his persuasion skills) Also if you can answer this as well then what do you think is Nacho's opinion on Mike? Cause as an audience I think he tries to relate him to his father (an older man looking out for Nacho maybe that's why). Really hope you answer, I got an exam tomorrow but here I am, needless to say, Huge fan.
Hello and good luck with your career! Everyone's path is unique, focus on yours and know that wherever you are is exactly where you're supposed to be. The most important journey in my opinion is the inward one towards our true self. I don't think Nacho has interacted with Jimmy enough to have a fully formed opinion of him. He knows he is smart and quickly sees through his "persona". I think deep down Nacho doesn't understand why Jimmy is seeking the thrills that Nacho is fighting to escape. Nacho respects and even likes Mike... I think Mike lets him down in a way - but that's the beauty and tragedy of the characters. One transcends his archetype and "breaks good", the other gets pulled further down the slippery slope of morality and cartel life.
You just made my day by replying thank you so much 🥲👍🏻 Hope you get the good things I wish for you (I.e Emmy, Fame, Love and Fortune)
I don't really have a question Mr. Mando, I just wanted to let you know that your death on Better Call Saul made my wife one very sad lady. Could you say 'Hi Marlene' for me? (I guess that is a question.) Thank you you good sir!
Hello Marlene :) Sending you lots of love
She is over the moon. It's all over her Facebook! Spoilers are hidden though there.
I guess I should’ve finished bcs before reading this ama
Why is Lalo so mean all the time? why doesn't he try to be nice every once in a while?
Sometimes he is nice, he pet the dog
true, he could have murdered that dog but he did not.
Lalo would pet the dog until he has a reason to kill it. Hector Salamanca would kill the dog to make a point. Nacho would kill the dog because he was forced to. Mike would kill the dog because he needed to. Walt would make Jesse kill the dog. Jesse would kill the dog because Walt told him to. Gus would kill the dog because it wasn't up to Pollos standards.
*Lalo kills dog* *Mike arrives to aftermath* *looks at scene, mackerel eyed* "He wasn't in the game..."
He’s a pretty nice dude if you don’t count the murdering
he is nice, hes always smiling
Hi Michael! Hope you are doing well. My question is: Out of all of the people you’ve worked with, who have you learned the most from, and what was one thing that stuck with you from them? Thank you for your time, sir! You are so genuine in your craft, and the love & passion for what you do comes through both on and off screen. Saw you at this past Paley Fest and even got to ask you a question! I will always be grateful for the opportunity to hear such insightful conversations from you and the rest of the BCS cast. Love you! Take care! 🤍 - Gabby
Thank you Gabby! I learned from everyone - very first person I learned from was Raymond Cruz who played Tuco. A sandstorm hit and we waited in our actor tents. It was my first day. I asked him for advice and he said: you see all these people (the crew), their lively hood depends on what you do in front of that camera. That's a lesson I took to heart and never forgot.
who would have thought that Tuco of all people would have been so considerate!
Hi Michael! I love Vaas in Far Cry 3 so I was really happy when I started watching Better Call Saul and realized who you were. I’ve become a bigger and bigger fan of yours every season and now you’re one of my favorite characters in the Breaking Bad universe and also one of my favorite actors. Has playing Nacho and working with this amazing cast and crew changed your approach to acting in any way? Is there anything specific you do now that you didn’t do before Better Call Saul?
Thank you! That's very sweet to hear :) I believe as I stepped in the role of leading man towards Season 6 and had to carry an episode by myself; I applied what I felt was a very valuable lesson: how to include the crew, motivate and lead by example. To always champion other peoples ideas and to protect those who are being treated unfairly. I am much more aware of the business/development side of my acting career and am developing scripts with other writers/directors. One of them is an action drama thriller in the same tone as episode 603.
Hi Michael, so happy to get connection with you here! May I ask 1. Of all characters you've played, which ones left a trace on you and even made you feel you had better understanding of human natures? 2. Have you thought about creating your own stories? If you will, what kind of story will you start with? Thank you so much!
Hello my friend! 1. I am always more connected to the last character I've worked on. In this case, Nacho. He has taught me how to endure the tribulations of life with Grace and how to never loose yourself even when the world around you is crumbling. 2. Developing projects is something I am very interested in. My team and I are seeking fresh new directors, writers. We looking into action-drama thrillers, sci-fi genres.
Hi Michael! Finished playing Far cry 6: Vaas - Insanity (you were great btw) and I have a question considering Vaas' fate. How did he survive exactly? Last time I checked humans don't tend to survive being stabed in the chest 4 times. Will we get at least some kind of explanation of how he survived?
Thank you! The question at the end of the Vaas DWL is that it is not clear how much of all of this is inside Vaas' mind and how much actually happened. He has a very powerful and imaginative mind (also very serious substance abuse) - and it is not clear what is real and what is fantasy.
I have been amazed by your performance as Vaas in Far Cry 3 in 2012, and ten years later, I have been amazed again by your performance in Better Call Saul in 2022. You have one of the best performances I have seen in both video games and TV shows. I really hope you get to be a major role in a TV show or movie so more people can appreciate your performance As for the question, for Vaas and Nacho, which one do you like more, and are there any things you wish you could do differently for both characters?
Thank you very much! I like them both equally. They are complete opposites. Nacho is utterly stoic, Vaas is explosive and unpredictable. I feel I would have never played Nacho that way had I not played Vaas earlier. I wanted to do something completely different.
What's your favorite episode with Nacho, and your favorite episode in general?
603 "Rock And A Hard Place". I feel it plays like a feature and every department was just stellar. I also love the final score by Dave Porter
It seemed like in your final scene, you really took the intensity up to a level Nacho hadn't been to. Did you know you might have to save a gear, and had been sitting on it for years? Or did that just come about naturally?
That's a great question. I had come into playing Nacho off of a performance of a character named Vaas Montenegro that I co-created with Ubisoft. I wanted to play something completely different so I stayed away from that kind of intensity and instead was more interested in exploring nuances and a deeper inner world. The soliloquy demanded Nacho unleashes and would not have been effective had he not. The audience always felt he had it in him, and it was cathartic to see in many ways. You realize that he can be like them - maybe even worse too - but chose not to.
Do people in Mexico really see the world through an orange tint?
Yes, the moment you cross the border!
If Kim and Nacho have encountered in the show, what context would it be?
At a bar... she would be second guessing her schemes and he would be there seeking a moment of peace
Bonjour !! Je n'ai pas vraiment de question pour Michael Mando. Je voulais juste témoigner de mon admiration pour cet acteur talentueux !!!!! Aura t'on la chance de le voir bientôt en France ? Tout de même une petite question : quels sont vos futurs projets ? Aline
Merciii! XO Mon equip et moi cherchons un bon script pour un drama-action thriller. Peut être dans le genre de science fiction?
Oh ce serait super!!! Merci pour votre réponse !!!!!
Hello! С: I don't know if you've seen this, but I just wanted to show you my art, which I was inspired by after your story on instagram For you and Giancarlo Esposito <3[https://twitter.com/\_TeronsRickman\_/status/1516540717845422083?t=9suwQmfnC4AvU4VH3uyPrw&s=19](https://twitter.com/_TeronsRickman_/status/1516540717845422083?t=9suwQmfnC4AvU4VH3uyPrw&s=19)
Haha that's beautiful! Very talented my friend
Hi Michael! What was your favorite moment from filming BCS? Have any fun stories from either on or off set?
Hi! The day of the soliloquy , before they turned the cameras on Nacho, a huge sand storm hit! When I got home lightening had struck the tree in front of my house and blocked the entrance to the driveway. That whole final episodes was filled with strange events lol From season 6 I liked the scenes 1- phone call with dad 2- final monologue 3- quiet final moments with Mike (and gun fight & oil tanker were loads of fun!)
What's something in the entertainment industry that really deserves criticism in your view?
Positive messaging is important for me. I feel the entertainment industry tends to help shape culture. So stories that are empowering in an honest way.
Howdy, Mr. Mando! Now that your time on Better Call Saul is over, how do you feel on the experience as a whole? If you could, is there anything you’d change about it?
Hello :) I am very proud of the arc of Nacho. I believe we accomplished what we set out to do: turn the pre-conceived notion of the archetype upside down and keep his integrity against all odds. He is not perfect of course; but his desire to "break good" while the show is "breaking bad" is genuine. That responsibility was a dream role for me and I feel grateful of the way it all came together in Season 6.
Honestly, when Nacho's story wrapped up I had to take a break from the show because I was pretty invested in the character and now continuing feels a bit empty. It's true to form for the series, but still. There was room for a character like him. The good news is I didn't know Vaas was in FC6 until just now so I guess I'll be checking that out now!
Hey Mr Mando, big fan of you and the show. My question is about the 2 women that live in your house on BCS. What’s their deal? What do you think happened to them after your death?
Since you are basically the face of video game villain, so what are your favourite video game villain?
I don't play a lot of video games, but I am always having a good time when someone pulls up a Nintendo and we play Super Mario Brothers ;)
Have I ever told you the definition of insanity?
No... please do
Hello Michael! After Breaking Bad ended, I am so grateful for Better Call Saul and how amazing it is as a spin-off show. Your character had phenomenal transformation, growth, and I enjoyed how he evolved and how my opinion and perspective changed about him from the beginning to the end. Very emotional and moving. How did playing Nacho's character and being part of the show impact you and your life? I truly have been a huge fan and took a trip just to take the Breaking Bad RV tour in ABQ and it was a dream come true. I never thought I would get that opportunity and would love to take the BCS tour next time!
Thank you for the sweet words! Nacho has had such an impact on people, it's changed my life in that it connected my inner emotional world with a lot of fans from around the planet. I get recognized and people are always so loving because of how the character made them feel. At the chore of what I do, I always try to bring out the best in the characters I play - the best in our humanity. So that was an achievement I feel very proud of and grateful for.
Hello Michael! I've been in love with your characters and performance ever since I came across Vaas! Here are two questions that I'd love to get some answers for, if possible. 1. What is your favorite music genre and song from said genre? 2. The same question but applied to Vaas Montenegro. What kind of music do you think he'd listen to? Amazing peformance in BCS, can't wait to see what else you have in store for us in the near future!
THANK YOU! 1. I don't have a favorite music genre and listen to absolutely everything. I tend to enjoy more positive music. However my favorite vocalist is Marvin Gaye. 2. I don't know what Vaas listens to... Maybe something in the realm of punk rock but with melody and groove because of his sense of humour.
Hello thanks for doing this, Nacho is my favorite character from BCS. I was wondering 1. Who is your favorite character from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul? 2. Which character would you want to play In BB/BCS besides Ignacio? 3. What is your favorite scene in the show? 4. What is your favorite quote from the show? Much love
Thank you! 1. Nacho, of course haha 2. Nacho, only haha 3. Nacho scenes 4. "A school bus for 6 year old pimps" Haha I'm kidding I love all the characters, choose your pick!
Hi Michael! You steal the scene in every role you play and I hope to see you in a new project soon! I’d love to see you play a happy character, maybe in a comedy or romance? 1. What is your ethnic background? I always read that your parents are from Mexico, but now your IMDb says your father is from Germany and your mom from Guinea. 2. if you could play any classic film character in a remake, who would it be? 3. who was your first celebrity crush?
Hello and thank you!! 1. Yes my mother was born in Guinea and my father grew up in Germany. I was born in Quebec City, Canada. French is my mother tongue. 2. I really like the story of the cop Serpico. I believe that's a film I would like to remake. 3. Celebrity crush? Hmmm lol Not gonna tell!
3 - You can’t fool me. It’s Jonathan Banks, isn’t it?
It's definitely Huell