Ismael Cruz Córdova: Made of Many Worlds
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Behind every character is a world of its own, and Ismael Cruz Córdova has built a career exploring them. Best known for playing Arondir in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, the Puerto Rican actor continues to embrace roles that challenge him creatively. In the recently released film Verity, he shares the screen with Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett, under the direction of Michael Showalter. In this interview, Córdova reflects on the experiences and collaborations that have shaped his craft, the people who inspire him, and the stories he hopes to explore next.
You’ve come a long way in your journey as an actor. Looking back at where you started and where you are today, how would you describe this chapter of your journey?
It’s a return to my initial flame, that spark of artistry. I feel like I’ve come back to being an artist. Sometimes, when you specialize in one discipline, like acting, you might feel like that’s all you are. And it’s not a small thing to be, but I’ve always been a very creative person. I’ve always done absolutely everything when it comes to art. When I was little, I was always drawing, sketching, and writing poetry. Then I found myself with a disposable camera and started getting into photography. Later on, I began sculpting, which I still do, working with ceramics, as well as exploring performance, choreography, and dance. I feel like this journey has brought me back to that insatiable desire to create art and the question of where to take it. That desire has led me to begin writing and producing. I’m producing my first film now, which comes out next year. I think it’s been a return to that creative spark, to the confidence to create, the hunger to make art, and the acceptance that comes with it. There’s an acceptance you need to have as an artist in order to be at peace with everything that comes with it, because it’s as beautiful as it is all-encompassing. I’m just extremely excited to have arrived here again.
You’ve taken on such a broad range of characters and roles throughout your acting career. What is it about a role that catches your attention and makes you want to take it on?
I’ve been told that it has something to do with being an Aries, but I like going against what I’m told can be done. I try to consistently challenge types, stereotypes, and archetypes. I’m also truly fascinated and perplexed by the human condition. What are we doing here? How did we come to be the beings we are today? We’ve gone through a long process of evolution, but we’re not the oldest species. So what is it about us? What makes us tick? I’m also drawn to the brokenness of many characters. I love characters and people who, at first glance, are misunderstood and need several chances for their goodness to be discovered. This is something I value in my personal life as well. I think all these inquietudes reflect my desire to understand myself and others. They’ve led me to explore the full breadth of characters I’ve portrayed. And, in the simplest terms, it’s just so much fun to experience these things in their purest form. It’s incredibly rewarding to have the opportunities I do, and I’m here for that.
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What was it about the story and Corey that stood out to you and made you want to be part of Verity?
When I was first approached by Michael Showalter, I was between projects. I received an email and immediately looked at who was involved. I saw Michael Showalter, followed by Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett, and I almost stopped reading right there. I thought, “Yeah, sure, let’s go!” Then Michael called me and offered me the role, and, of course, I said yes immediately. It was only afterward that I discovered the wonderful world of Verity and Colleen Hoover, thanks to my sister, who called me frantically and said, “What are you doing? This is one of my favorite books!” She even started a book club specifically for Verity, and all her friends know me because of it. What I loved about Corey was that same duality. There’s the Corey from the books, and then there’s the version I got to portray on screen, which is a little more condensed. I love how much he cares about Lowen and how protective he is, even though he’s still such a playboy. He’s a great literary agent, but he’s also a softie. And, like many macho playboy types, he has his insecurities. I wanted to explore that duality. The movie can be quite serious and heavy, and I think Corey provides these wonderful little bursts of lightness. He’s also a connection to the outside world. As the movie becomes increasingly intense and the characters get caught up in their own little world of distress, Corey comes in with this energy of, “Hey, what’s up?” As an actor, I also enjoyed playing a lighter character. I’ve really loved being part of this world and having conversations with all the fans, especially the book-loving girlies. I’ve genuinely enjoyed this project. And I’ll say it again: Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett, and Michael Showalter. It’s brilliant. Amazing.
You share the screen with Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway, and Josh Hartnett in Verity. What was the experience of working with them like, and is there anything you took away from working alongside them?
It was wonderful. It really was. As you said, I’ve come a long way, and throughout that journey, I’ve had the opportunity to work with an incredible range of actors, from those who are relatively unknown to major household names like Nicole Kidman, Priyanka Chopra, and other A-list stars. You get to see so much, and I’ve been fortunate to have a wonderful streak of leading women. Working with them was yet again a sublime experience. They are true artists and incredibly giving, generous scene partners. It can be difficult to join a movie halfway through because the rhythm has already been established, the community has formed, and the bonds and comfort are already there. Then you come in and have to find your place, especially when playing a character like Corey, who has such an intimate story with Lowen. They made it incredibly easy for me to step in and gave me the space I needed to perform. Michael gave me free rein and encouraged me to ad-lib and bring my own colors to the role. Everything about working with Dakota was incredible. She’s very soft-spoken, which draws you in and allows you to ground your character. It encourages you to bring things inward, and that creates the dynamic in the scene we share in the room. It’s pretty cute, actually. It’s a little dangerous, a little sexy, and a little funny. That style of acting allows for all of it. Although I didn’t get to share any screen time with Anne, she came up to me in the hair and makeup room and said, “It’s so nice to have you here. Thank you so much for being part of this.” I saw her at work, and everyone loves her. The crew adores her, and she treats everyone incredibly well. The same goes for Dakota and Josh, who are true gentlemen and just great people. What I’ve learned from this experience—and I know that was a long answer—is that there’s a way to make movies and a way to be on set that doesn’t have to be difficult, rough, or stressful. They showed me that, and I came away with examples of how to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome. I really loved that experience.
For fans who know Colleen Hoover’s novel, what do you hope audiences will experience when they see the story brought to life on screen?
I hope fans feel validated because, when you’re a fan, you’re looking for that validation. I also hope they’re pleasantly surprised by the changes, twists, and tone, and experience the satisfaction of seeing something brought to life even better than they expected, while still honoring the depth and care of the original story. I think they achieved that. From the production design to the costume design, every detail has been so thoughtfully considered. I hope fans recognize and appreciate that. I’ve been in communication with the fans themselves, and I know they feel very validated and are happy to finally have their live-action adaptation.
After spending multiple seasons in Middle-earth, what have you discovered about Arondir that you didn’t know when you first took on the role?
Just about everything. When you take on a role, you try to approach it with honesty, love, and care. Personally, I always approach my characters with compassion, regardless of my moral opinions about their actions. I think you have to be empathetic, compassionate, and accepting of them. I’ve learned so much about where to place your love. There are many parallels between my life and the role of Arondir. When you face obstacles, sometimes you harden yourself to the point where you stifle and suppress your brightness, softness, and whimsy, as well as the ways you love yourself and others. The shell you build to survive can eventually suffocate you. I’ve experienced that at different moments in my life. Through that journey, I’ve learned how to build the walls we sometimes need to navigate the world, but also how to bring them down and let people in. I’ve learned how to smile, allow myself to love and be loved, and find softness within that ferocity. You can still be a warrior while allowing yourself to embrace vulnerability and tenderness. I’ve learned so much about life through Arondir, and I’m grateful for this guy.
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Verity and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power take place in two very different worlds and have distinct atmospheres. As an actor, how do you approach stepping into such different projects and characters?
The most important thing is the character you’re playing. Each character exists within their own circumstances, in a small world that they inhabit. It doesn’t matter how large the project or the world itself may be; what matters is the size of that character’s world. What are Corey’s concerns, hopes, beliefs, pain, and trauma? What about Arondir? At the end of the day, their worlds are actually quite small. When you try to play the grandeur of a project, you risk hitting notes that aren’t yours to hit and diluting the uniqueness and specificity of the role. I approach both characters the same way during that initial process. Arondir is a warrior with a particular set of skills and a distinct way of speaking. The training I’ve done for that role has been extensive, and I feel extremely proud of that journey. Not many actors get the opportunity, or choose, to do all their own stunts, voice work, archery, and so much more. That was a choice I made, and I’ve honored that commitment. With Corey, it’s the same process. I start a conversation with each character and explore what they like, what they dislike, what hurts them, what doesn’t, and what makes them laugh. Then, at the end of the day, you get on set, let go of all that preparation, and see what happens.
What has been the most memorable moment for you while filming The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power so far?
I was always absolutely enamored with being an elf. Before filming, during our final costume test, I wore my entire costume for the first time, including my ears, which the makeup artist had fully finished. It was such an important, magical moment. I cried, but I wasn’t weeping. The thickest tears just started falling, one after another. It was a moment of pure joy. I felt so proud, and it was incredible. Another one of my favorite creatures in Middle-earth is the Ents, and I got to introduce them in the show. I had the most amazing time. I had such a blast, and it was such a beautiful, emotional scene. Those are two of so many memorable moments. There’s a lot from this season that I can’t tell you about yet, but we can chat about that some other time.
You’ve had the opportunity to work on some major productions throughout your career, from The Undoing to The Mandalorian. Looking back, what have those experiences taught you about the kind of actor you want to continue becoming?
Two things stand out to me. First, the characters themselves and what I’ve learned from playing them. I continue to discover new thresholds of what I think I’m capable of, only to surpass them. These characters also humble you and ask you to go deep within yourself. I’ve learned that I have to be vulnerable, open, and sincere. I cannot care, in any way, shape, or form, about the concept of cringe. You have to run toward it. If you fail, you fail big, and that’s something you have to be willing to do as an artist. You can’t be concerned with popular opinion or personal judgment. I’ve learned so much about what I’m capable of and how temporary and conquerable my limits can be. There’s so much excitement in discovering that. I’ve also learned a lot about collaboration through working on projects like The Mandalorian with Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, as well as with Nicole Kidman and Blossom Films. These are major figures in our industry and in the history of film and television. They’ve taught me that collaboration is truly everything. It’s about allowing people to bring their own experiences and perspectives to a project, empowering them to contribute, and making them feel safe. I felt incredible working with Nicole. She wasn’t just a lead actress; she was also a producer, and she handled both roles masterfully. The empowerment I received from her, both as an actress and as a producer, allowed me to deliver one of the performances I’m best known for and one I’m most proud of. Jon Favreau was the same. He made me feel completely trusted, even on a project of that scale. For him, it seemed like a no-brainer. When I was doubting myself, he would say, “Yeah, you’ve got this.” Did I have it? I don’t think so. But that kind of encouragement, that reassurance that I was the right person for the job and that I had the expertise he was looking for, allowed me to fly. I experienced the same thing working with Ang Lee and Guillermo del Toro. These great artists all share something in common: they bring out the best in you, trust you, and make you feel valued and cared for. I’m currently working with René Pérez Joglar, also known as Residente, on a movie called Puerto Rico, alongside Benito, also known as Bad Bunny. René has that same quality. He’s a true artist who brings out the best in you, trusts you, and makes you feel useful and cared for. Those are some of the most important lessons I’ve learned
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You studied at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts before building your career in New York. How did your time at Tisch influence the way you approach acting today?
I had such a wonderful experience, although there were also difficult, heartbreaking, and harrowing moments. I went through so much during that time. I was working three jobs, experiencing sleepless nights, and dealing with major loss and grief in my life. It was intense in every way, extremely difficult, and incredibly challenging. When I look back, I think, “Ignorance is bliss.” If you’re in your twenties, live it up, because that’s when you have this incredible amount of energy to take on new experiences and face obstacles. Not that I don’t have energy now, but it’s different. Being there allowed me to work through everything using the beautiful resource I have: being an artist. I choreographed, sang, wrote, directed, acted, and so on. I learned to see life through art, to live through art, and to empathize through art. As artists, we have an incredibly special opportunity and gift. Life can be confusing, and very few things truly help us understand it. Art is one of those things that allows us to connect with other people. I learned how to lean into that, embrace the creative playground it offers, and develop the confidence to believe that I can actually do this.
How did working on an independent film like He Bled Neon compare with some of the larger productions you’ve been part of, both on set and in your approach to the work?
With bigger productions, there are often more layers to the source material and a much larger scale overall. There are more producers, the studio is involved, and changes to the dialogue or script can have greater implications. That’s simply how those productions are structured. It’s not good or bad; it’s just the nature of the process. When you’re working on an independent film, like one with Neon, you’re often working directly with the writer-director. You can have more direct conversations and sometimes have greater ownership of the project. There’s also more room to take risks, which brings out a different side of you as an actor and an artist. That said, I don’t like to pit the two against each other because they’re simply different experiences, and I enjoy doing both. Independent films are known for allowing actors to get much grittier and more deeply immersed in their roles. They can offer opportunities to take risks and reveal parts of yourself that larger productions might not always have the freedom to explore. I love all of it.
What has it been like working with Residente on his first feature film as a director?
I’m still here for another two weeks, and I can tell you that this has been one of the greatest joys of my life and one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I know it will always be up there among the best. I’m sure there will be many more wonderful experiences to come, but this one will always hold a special place in my heart for so many reasons. This is a historic, monumental moment. We’ve never had this kind of opportunity for Latino, Caribbean, and Puerto Rican actors to be at the helm of a project, not just in directing but across every department. René is an incredible artist. He’s experimental, he’s a genius, and I mean that without any embellishment, irony, or hyperbole. He is an absolute genius, and his commitment to this film is evident in every part of it. You might think that level of commitment would make someone rigid in the creative process, but it’s actually the opposite. There’s such a natural flow of creativity, and he gives you so much space to create. He’s an incredible filmmaker. This is his first feature film, but he directs as though he’s been doing it for a hundred years. His comfort on set is remarkable, and he has the trust of everyone around him. The whole experience feels like music. He’s conducting this group of brilliant actors and has an incredible ability to bring together some of the best minds. I’m on cloud nine, as they say. I’m still in absolute disbelief, incredibly grateful, and completely inspired to keep going and pursue directing myself.
As you look ahead, what kinds of stories or characters are you hoping to explore next?
First and foremost, I want to do a rom-com. I’m dying to do a rom-com! I know that might not be the most obvious choice when people think about the kinds of roles they want to explore, but I love a good romantic comedy, and I think a lot of people do, too. I’d love to make one that feels a little more real, with characters who are a bit raw and imperfect. I want to explore falling in love, romance, and what love looks like in a city. I would especially love to do a classic New York City rom-com. I also want to continue taking on roles that challenge stereotypes, archetypes, and all the little boxes that exist. I want to bring characters to life in a way that challenges what people are used to seeing, whether that’s a different face or a different body. I love characters who are broken in some way, and I love characters whom people might see as losers. I want to explore different sides of those characters so audiences can empathize with them and think, “I never thought I would like someone like that. I never thought I would understand someone like that.” So, those are some of the things I’m hoping to explore. I’ve had such a wonderful career, and it’s been built brick by brick, but it’s also been built on the belief of so many people and the mystical currents of the acting, film, and television gods. There are things I want to do, but I also know the universe will surprise me with opportunities even better than I could imagine. I’m incredibly excited about what’s next, extremely proud of what I’ve done, and really looking forward to continuing this little adventure.
CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Ismael Cruz Córdova
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz
Fashion Stylist: Aric Johnson
Groomer: Aidan Rodriguez
Photo Assistant: Dani Sax
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Ali Rosoff, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
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