*“Second Act” stars Jennifer Lopez as Maya Vargas, an assistant manager at the local “Value Shop” who has put in 15 years’ worth of service and only wants one thing for her 43rd birthday — a promotion.
Her competition for the job has a college degree, but Maya knows what her customers want, and has the track record to back up what her resume lacks.
When she loses the job to a college-educated candidate who doesn’t have the results, Maya sets out to prove to Madison Avenue that street smarts are as valuable as book smarts – and it’s never too late for … a second act.
The film also stars Lopez’s real-life BFF, Leah Remini as Joan, Maya’s close friend, co-worker and supporter. EURweb’s Jill Munroe sat down with the two friends to discuss what it was like working with each other for the first time, and what real life elements from their friendship they brought to the screen.
“Maya and Joan’s relationship is almost exactly like our relationship,” Lopez explained, “the reason why I wanted Leah to do the role so badly is because the relationship that was on the page, I said, I have a friend like this. It’s Leah and if we can just capture how we really are in real life, and bring some truth to it, it’s going to be something special. I just knew it.”
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Remini added, “she really allowed me to be me and react as Jennifer. It was great because you never know when the cameras start rolling if you’re going to get something else”
Lopez helped develop the script alongside her producing partners and screenwriters Justin Zackham and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas.
“Second Act” also stars Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us,) Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical) and Treat Williams. It opens in theaters on December 21.
