Francisco Marquez is quickly becoming a standout name in independent film, and for good reason. With a screen presence that’s as intense as it is captivating, Francisco has managed to carve out a unique space for himself in the world of cinema. His journey from the theater stages of Boston to starring in films that are making waves in festivals is a story of talent, hard work, and a deep love for the craft. It’s no surprise that he’s been named our Artist of the Month for October, especially after his recent wins for Best Actor in an Indie Film at Top Shorts and LAFA for his role in Bounty Hunters.
Starting out in Boston’s vibrant theater scene, Francisco wasn’t just another actor—he was an “actor mercenary for hire.” He often stepped in for lead roles at the last minute or juggled multiple characters in a single production. This versatility wasn’t just a skill; it was a necessity, and it became a defining trait in his career. Performances in plays like Of Mice and Men, Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, and Johnny Ramirez Really Wants to Kiss Me not only honed his abilities but also left a lasting impression on audiences and peers alike.
In 2019, Francisco’s journey took an unexpected turn when a production company casting for Honda commercials discovered his voice. This led to a prolific career in voice acting, with Francisco lending his voice to commercials for major brands like Amazon, Microsoft, and Playstation. His ability to convey a wide range of emotions through voice alone made him a sought-after talent, but even with all this success in voice work, his passion for film and acting never took a back seat.
His film breakthrough came in 2021 with Free Guy, where he shared the screen with Ryan Reynolds and Lil Rel Howery. Directed by Shawn Levy, this major Hollywood production was a significant milestone for Francisco. His role as a bank robber might have been small, but it was a big step into the world of feature films and proved that he could hold his own alongside some of the biggest names in the industry.
That same year, Francisco took on a much more immersive project with Luminous, an award-winning film directed by Joseph Marcello. Filmed in the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains, this wasn’t just another movie. It was an experience. With a small cast and crew living and working closely together, Francisco dove deep into his character, Jed, bringing a raw intensity that resonated with viewers. The film’s success on the festival circuit, picking up eight awards and fourteen selections, solidified Francisco’s reputation as a rising star in indie film.
In 2022, Francisco took on a new challenge with Inka Park, playing Sayri, the hero of a massive new theme park and resort project set to open in Peru. This role allowed Francisco to connect with his Peruvian roots, bringing a personal and authentic touch to the character. The story of Sayri is not just an adventure; it’s a cultural journey, and Francisco’s involvement is a testament to his growing versatility as an actor.
By 2024, Francisco had added “Executive Producer” to his list of accomplishments, producing and starring in both Parallel Partners and Bounty Hunters. These films are more than just projects—they’re passion pieces that reflect Francisco’s commitment to storytelling. Parallel Partners, with its intriguing exploration of parallel universes, and Bounty Hunters, a gritty action-thriller set in a dystopian future, have both been met with critical acclaim. Together, they’ve racked up 19 awards and 3 nominations, further proving that Francisco is a force to be reckoned with in the world of independent film.
Francisco Marquez’s journey is a story of passion, perseverance, and an unrelenting drive to create. Whether he’s on stage, behind a microphone, or in front of the camera, Francisco brings a depth and authenticity that sets him apart. As he continues to push the boundaries of his craft, he’s not just making films—he’s making his mark on the industry. And it’s clear that this is just the beginning.
We sat down with Francisco Marquez to delve deeper into his journey, his creative process, and what drives him as an artist.
Your journey began in theater. What initially drew you to acting, and how did those early experiences shape your career?
To be honest, I’m not sure if I was drawn to acting or if acting found me. Early on, I was sort of pushed into theater as a kid to keep me busy and out of trouble. My first role was as a nutcracker soldier in a children's production of The Nutcracker. I found myself getting lost in every part I played. Performing gave me a voice and made me feel powerful—especially since I wasn’t the best at sports (my brother and dad would agree). Nothing else came as naturally to me except for acting and art.
Acting grew on me over time. The seed was planted early, and my passion blossomed. It taught me resilience, versatility, and the importance of adaptability and collaboration—lessons I didn’t find in other activities. I didn’t excel at baseball, that’s for sure!
You’ve referred to yourself as an “actor mercenary for hire” during your theater days. Can you share some memorable moments from that period?
Absolutely! One of my fondest theater memories was being double cast as both the lead “George” and the antagonist “Curley” in a production of Of Mice and Men. A fellow actor friend brought me in to audition for a smaller part because they were short-staffed. Little did I know, I ended up auditioning for the lead and got both roles!
We had two actors playing the lead and two for the antagonist, but I was the only one playing both. We would switch roles for night shows and matinees. I consider it my “bootcamp” of acting—my initiation by fire.
Our director, Marshall, was a wise and talented teacher who pushed us hard. He reminded me of J.K. Simmons in Whiplash; he wanted to bring out the best in everyone. He broke me down and rebuilt me into a much better actor. Everything I thought I knew before him made me realize I had a lot to learn. It was like a free masterclass, and my payment was to deliver a great performance.
Despite my doubts about pulling it off, I devoted myself to the process. By the end, I received a standing ovation from the audience and my peers. I’ll never forget when Marshall acknowledged me with, “You got the chops, kid.”
Transitioning from theater to voice acting for major brands like Honda and Amazon must have been a significant shift. What challenges did you face, and how did you adapt?
It was a big shift! You have to take all the emotional and physical energy you would display on stage or in front of a camera and infuse that into a microphone. And you have to be careful not to move too much because the mic picks that up!
There are many vocal techniques and technical aspects to master. I was fortunate to have early success, which made it more challenging because I had to learn as I went along—on actual jobs! Within two months, I was already booking weekly commercials for big brands.
Honestly, I wasn’t fully prepared! I didn’t have a vocal booth and was recording commercials from my closet with a $50 mic at first. It’s funny to admit that now. You know what they say: fake it till you make it, right? But it shows that you never know what will work until you put yourself out there and try.
In 2021, you made your feature film debut in Free Guy alongside Ryan Reynolds. What was it like working on a major Hollywood production?
It was surreal. I remember just two days before I was on set with Ryan Reynolds, Lil Rel, and director Shawn Levy (whose work I really admire) that I had watched Pokémon Detective Pikachu.
Working on a fast-paced blockbuster like that was exhilarating. I felt lucky to have a front-row seat to watch some of the biggest pros in filmmaking up close. Shawn was a joy to work for, and observing Ryan in his element was an unforgettable experience.
The story of Luminous is intense, involving themes of survival and conflict. What drew you to the role of “Jed,” and how did you prepare for it?
Every once in a while, a role grabs you immediately, and you just know, “I can play this.” Jed was one of those roles. I initially read for a smaller part, but after auditioning, Joseph Marcello (the director) had me read for the more extensive role, which became Jed, the antagonist.
To prepare, I isolated myself and even spent time getting lost in the woods alone. There was one time I fell off a small cliff and tumbled down some rocks. It hurt, but I was miraculously uninjured (stay safe out there).
Since Jed has a background from the deep South, accent work was crucial. Thankfully, I had played a lot of “Red Dead Redemption” in the past, emulating the characters for fun. It’s not something I usually admit as acting prep, but if it works, it works!
I also watched about 80% of all western films to prepare. I felt my character grew up watching these films and idolized their “badass-ness.” Physically, I stopped shaving and let my hair grow longer, purposely avoiding conditioner to give it a rough look. I wanted Jed to reflect his life in the woods.
Interestingly, I had a real cigarette burn on my face from another set. It added depth to Jed’s character, giving him another layer of story. So, in the end, that accident worked out!
Joseph Marcello wrote such a complex, unpredictable, and savage character that it made it easy for me to dive in. He did the homework for me; I just had to show up and perform.
You’ve now stepped into the role of executive producer with Parallel Partners and Bounty Hunters. How has producing changed your perspective on filmmaking?
Stepping into the role of executive producer gave me a fresh perspective on the filmmaking process. I had to focus on budgeting, scheduling, and all the collaborative dynamics involved. I was juggling two films at once, which deepened my respect for every role on set.
As an actor, you often focus solely on your performance. But as a producer, you see the bigger picture, understanding how stories come together and the behind-the-scenes challenges. This experience has influenced how I approach my acting roles going forward. I have a deeper appreciation for storytelling and the creative vision needed to bring a film to life.
I now think about how I can contribute not just as an actor but as an asset to the entire project. This broader perspective enhances my acting, and I find that experience invaluable.
Parallel Partners explores the intriguing concept of parallel universes and the consequences of crossing them. What challenges did you face bringing this sci-fi narrative to life?
Bringing a sci-fi narrative like Parallel Partners to life certainly comes with challenges! Crafting a believable portrayal of parallel universes requires a balance between imaginative concepts and relatable human emotions. The story begins with discovering a barrier between worlds. It’s simple enough for VFX but mustn’t distract from the performances.
One early challenge was deciding how we would handle the VFX and how prominent they would be. Chris Sheffield (the director) and I agreed to prioritize delivering strong performances over heavy VFX, which led us to change some elements of the script. For instance, we had planned for “mountains crumbling in the distance,” which would have been visually impressive but would have increased the budget and detracted from the performances.
I give kudos to Chris, Melissa, Bryan, and the rest of the cast and crew for their amazing work!
Inka Park is a massive project set to open in Peru, where you play the main protagonist, Sayri. What can you tell us about this role and the experience of working on such a unique project?
It was surreal and one of the most fun projects I've been part of to date. When I was first contacted for the role, I thought it was for a kid’s e-learning game. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the project's magnitude!
To bring a massive theme park, resort, golf course, and water park to South America as the first of its kind is something special! I fell in love with the story and characters, particularly Sayri’s heroic journey to save his village in the Andes from tyranny.
It's a relatable story of self-discovery, risk-taking, confronting dangers, and finding love. The aim is to inspire and bring hope, all embedded within Inca culture.
I can't share too much due to an NDA, but the project is currently in the investment phase, set to open in a few years. I’ve been told to be ready for various animated films and voice-over work in the future, but it's still deep in preproduction, so nothing is certain.
I was excited to learn that our scriptwriter is a renowned writer for Disney, and I look forward to exploring the world of Inka Park and bringing Sayri to life. Sharing Inca culture and heritage with audiences worldwide in such an interactive way would be incredible!
Finally, what’s the best piece of advice you would give to younger filmmakers just starting out? Is there something you’ve learned along the way that you wish you had known earlier?
I like to think of myself as a student, or as Marshall used to say, “An empty vessel.” I try to soak up whatever knowledge I can, so I approach everything with openness. It only makes you better.
Embrace collaboration. Film is a collective art form, and building strong relationships with cast and crew can elevate your project. Ultimately, people like to work with people they enjoy!
Don’t be afraid to take risks and experiment. Some of the most compelling ideas come from new concepts. I’m a big fan of Hideo Kojima, the video game director. His stories are always intriguing, inventive, and experimental. Each project is a risk for him, but he embraces it, and I find that inspiring.
As for something I wish I knew earlier? The industry can be tough, full of setbacks and rejections. Learning to persevere and view challenges as opportunities for growth is essential. You need tenacity and resilience.
If this industry were an RPG video game and I could attribute skill points to my character, I’d probably allocate 70% to resilience and 30% to everything else.
(Yes, I realize that was a geeky analogy, but I’m okay with it!)
Thank you for the interview, Filmmakers Connect! This has been fun!
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