It’s almost impossible to keep things that happen on a movie set under wraps, especially when it comes to celebrity cameos. But that’s exactly what Lionsgate did with its new comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar when they kept secret a surprise appearance by Oscar-nominated actor Andy Garcia (The Godfather Part III).
Spoilers Ahead:
In the film, Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo star as the title characters, Barb and Star, two middle-aged best friends who decide to live a little and travel from their small Midwestern town to Vista Del Mar, Florida, for vacation. There, they are caught up in a wacky adventure where they cross paths with a hopelessly romantic villain, a lounge singer crooning about “boobies” and a talking crab, among other odd characters.
Garcia shows up in a scene playing the rugged human embodiment of Tommy Bahama, as if the retail store of the same name—known for its island–influenced sportswear and swimwear–was actually owned by someone named Tommy Bahama. Garcia, who worked with Wiig on the 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters, says he was approached by the former Saturday Night Live star to take on the cameo role.
“It was a very easy and quick decision for me to play once again,” Garcia says in an exclusive statement to Remezcla. “[Wiig and Mumolo] are extremely talented and original actors and writers and I would do anything with them, especially in this genre. They have such a strong sense of absurdity and organic truth in their work. That is a very appealing space to work and explore as an actor. It was a joy.”
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar director Josh Greenbaum said when it was time to cast Bahama, Garcia seemed like a natural fit.
“When you think of a handsome, traditional swamp man named Tommy Bahama, I feel like Andy Garcia pops to the top of that list,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “When you bring on a guy like Andy…it fosters such creativity and such comedy that hopefully comes through on the screen.”
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is currently streaming on VOD platforms.