Diego Luna Explains Why Some Films Should Never Have Sequels

Sequels, prequels, and spin-offs are often met with a fair bit of scepticism, sometimes seen as evidence of a lack of fresh ideas in the film industry. Yet, there are occasions when returning to familiar territory can genuinely enrich the original work. A recent example is the Disney+ series Andor, which serves as a prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. This series allowed Diego Luna to revisit the character of Cassian Andor, offering a deeper look at his journey before the events of Rogue One. The original film, despite its commercial success, underwent significant reshoots and edits, resulting in a version where Luna’s character was somewhat overshadowed by Jyn Erso, portrayed by Felicity Jones. Cassian’s fate in Rogue One meant he would never appear in a direct sequel, but Andor provided a rare opportunity to expand on his backstory, adding new layers to the narrative.

For those who have watched both seasons of the acclaimed series, Cassian’s role in Rogue One now carries greater weight. However, Luna himself is cautious about the idea of continuing stories that were already complete in their own right. In a recent interview, he expressed a firm reluctance to revisit Y tu mamá también, the coming-of-age drama directed by Alfonso Cuarón. The film, which starred Luna alongside Gael García Bernal, follows two young men on a transformative road trip with an older woman. Its poignant conclusion, revealing that the main characters never cross paths again, is one of its most memorable aspects. Luna remarked,

‘I don’t think it’s worth it. It was special and unique, but it was part of its time. Films like that are like marks on the ground; they’re a reminder of something that happened and is gone. We cannot just say: “Let’s do it again”.’

Risks of Revisiting the Past

Attempting to craft a sequel to a much-loved classic is always fraught with risk. For every well-received continuation such as Blade Runner 2049 or Top Gun: Maverick, there are missteps like Independence Day: Resurgence or Zoolander 2. In the case of Y tu mamá también, the age and circumstances of the characters are so integral to the story that any attempt to revisit them would likely struggle to recapture the original’s spirit. The prospect of seeing Luna and Bernal reunite on screen is certainly appealing, but the magic of their earlier collaboration would be difficult to replicate if the focus shifted to older versions of their characters.

The only scenario in which a sequel might stand a chance, Luna suggests, would be if Alfonso Cuarón himself returned to direct. However, Cuarón has not made a feature film in nearly a decade, having most recently worked on the Apple TV+ miniseries Disclaimer, which failed to make much of an impression. While the idea of Luna persuading Cuarón to return to filmmaking is an intriguing one, he is clear that it need not involve revisiting Y tu mamá también.

Preserving What Makes a Classic

Luna’s perspective highlights the delicate balance between honouring a film’s legacy and the temptation to revisit past successes. Some stories, he argues, are best left as they are—distinctive, unrepeatable, and firmly rooted in their own moment. The desire to recapture what made a film special can sometimes undermine the very qualities that made it memorable in the first place. For Luna, the legacy of Y tu mamá también is best preserved by allowing it to remain untouched, a singular achievement that stands on its own.