The beloved Spanish TV series "Aída" is making a comeback, but this time it's transitioning to the big screen. Paco León is taking the helm as both director and writer, while the original cast is set to reprise their roles in this new cinematic venture. León confirmed the exciting news on Instagram, announcing the film's title as "Aída y Vuelta" and revealing that filming is scheduled to kick off early next year, with production by Telecinco and The Mediapro Studio.
This movie adaptation is not only a nod to the twelfth anniversary of the show's debut in 2005 but also marks a decade since the series concluded in 2014, leaving fans yearning for its return. The ensemble cast, including Carmen Machi (Aída), Paco León (Luisma), David Castillo (Jonathan), Melani Olivares (Paz Bermejo), Ana Polvorosa (Lorena), Miren Ibargueren (Soraya), Eduardo Casanova (Fidel), Canco Rodríguez (Barajas), Pepa Rus (Macu), and Secun de la Rosa (Toni), among others, are set to delight audiences once again in a release that fans are already eagerly celebrating.
A Journey Back to Esperanza Sur
"The audience, as well as we, were eager for a reunion. When I was asked to direct the project, I had my reservations. Then an idea came to me, and now we are working on it with great enthusiasm. It's going to be a powerful journey for all of us to return to Esperanza Sur," León shared in statements collected by Efe.
Meanwhile, Ghislain Barrois, CEO of Telecinco Cinema, expressed that "the Aída family, both on-screen and off, wanted to come together again to pay tribute in the form of a film, rather than just another episode of the series." Yet, the movie will still capture the essence and quirks of each character, ensuring their stories remain at the forefront.
A Global Phenomenon
León, who humorously portrayed Luisma, has often expressed his amazement at the affection he receives from Cubans, including those residing in Miami. In an interview, the Spanish actor revealed his surprise when strolling through Miami as many people, "especially Cubans," stop him for a chat or a photo.
"With 'Aída,' we dominated Sunday prime time ratings for a decade. People still watch 'Aída'; they have the episodes saved... In Latin America, in Cuba, 'Aída' is like a religion. Everyone feels a friend-like connection with Luisma," he remarked.
On the occasion of the show's 18th anniversary in 2023, some of its stars reunited in a viral gathering that brought out the nostalgic side of fans, who cherished witnessing the enduring camaraderie and affection among them long after the series ended.