Raini Rodriguez Talks About “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2,” Available Now on DVD

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By: Cindy G. Castillo

Disney star Raini Rodriguez’ spunk, personality and drive are undeniable.

Now, the 22-year-old is taking the world by storm and her career has already surpassed ten years.

In her most recent project, the actress is back on the big screen next to Kevin James for the film, “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.”  She is returning as James’ character Paul Blart’s daughter, Maya. The film takes place six years after the original, so now Maya is all grown up as a 20-year-old and getting ready to go to college. But first, the father-daughter duo take a much-needed vacation to beautiful Las Vegas.

Kevin and Raini’s chemistry on screen is one-of-a-kind, and it shows. Released in theaters everywhere April 17^th, the film went on to become a box office success grossing $31.8 million in its opening weekend and finished with a gross of more than $146 million in North America.

AZLatinos recently sat down to chat with Raini Rodriguez on her experience in filming the second part of “Mall Cop,” and whether or not she would be back for a third installment if given the opportunity.

AZLatinos: What’s your relationship like with Kevin James and how is it working with him now for the second time?

Raini Rodriguez: “He is such a lovely, lovely man, he’s very funny on and off screen, he is very much like a second dad to me… we kept in touch over the years, and he gives you a lot as an actor and as a writer of the film he was obviously really close to the characters and what’s so awesome is that he also trusted me to improv a little bit.”

AZL: What’s your favorite part about being back for this project?

RD: “You know, just getting to come back and getting to show a little bit of my experience [after] having six years of experience on my back, but getting to play the same character again with Kevin is awesome. I’m such a daddy’s girl myself so it’s great to be able to portray that on screen on such a positive light.”

AZL: What do you love most about your character, Maya?

RD: “She’s always getting herself in [funny] situations, she’s always so headstrong, she’s not fearful of anything, and she’s so like her dad. He’s obviously taught her so much from the first film to the second film on how to be brave and how to stick to your guns and that kind of stuff. I love to be able to play that.”

AZL: If there was a third movie, would you be back?

RD: “Absolutely, I would love to! I love working with everybody in this film, and I would for sure come back if I could, keep spreading the word on that ‘cause I would love to!”

AZL: Why should people go out and buy this film?

RD: “It’s a movie full of heart, family and comedy; it’s all one big, crazy movie into one. We put a lot of heart and soul into this movie, and I had so much fun making it. It’s a movie for all ages, any person can come in and watch this and they’ll laugh or they’ll chuckle or they’ll cringe at the right moments. It’s the same loving characters that you loved from the first movie just six years later and in a new situation.”

AZL: What’s next for Raini Rodriguez?

RD: “I’m so blessed to be working after ten years in this business, so I would just want to do more – maybe on Broadway in a musical, a stage play, or a scary movie – something the opposite of everything I’ve ever done.”

“Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2” will be available on DVD starting July 14th

After six years of keeping our malls safe, Paul Blart has earned a well-deserved vacation. He heads to Las Vegas with his teenage daughter before she heads off to college. But safety never takes a holiday and when duty calls, Blart answers.

Directed by Andy Fickman from a screenplay by Kevin James and Nick Bakay, PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 was produced by Todd Garner, Kevin James, Adam Sandler and Jack Giarraputo; with Marty P. Ewing, Ben Waisbren and Jeff Sussman serving as executive producers. 

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir39M4BjbHk

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