A Hollywood Star Takes the Plunge

Laura Marano, known for her Disney sitcom ‘Austin and Ally’ and Netflix rom-coms, has made a thrilling transition to action hero in the new film ‘Above and Below.’

Marano plays Tatiana, a woman vacationing with friends who find themselves in a deadly predicament when a shark diving excursion turns into a nightmare. The movie, released digitally on demand, gives Marano the chance to showcase her physical prowess in a way she’s never done before.

In a recent interview with UPI, Marano, 30, revealed that she was initially apprehensive about taking on an action role, but her director, Jesse V. Johnson, wanted her to embody a regular person who steps up in a crisis. Johnson, 54, aimed to create a transition for Marano’s character that would make her transformation believable.

For Marano, this new action heroine role came with a new look – blonde hair, a departure from her usual brunette locks. She recalled a conversation with Johnson via FaceTime, where he asked her to keep her blonde hair for the film. Marano was thrilled with the decision, feeling that it looked great on her.

The film was shot on location in the African Sea around the Canary Islands, with additional scenes filmed in water tanks. Marano and her co-stars earned scuba certification before filming, allowing them to dive safely into the underwater world.

However, filming underwater presented its own set of challenges. Marano had to act with prerecorded vocals playing in her ear, and when she needed to communicate with the director, she would write on a whiteboard for the crew to read. Johnson joked about the benefits of filming underwater – being able to yell at actors without them being able to respond.

Safety divers were present on set at all times, and actual sharks made cameos in the open sea. A hammerhead shark even circled the boat on several days, with Marano and co-star Louis Mandylor going in the water with the shark present. Fortunately, there were no accidents involving people, but some props weren’t so lucky – a shark cage sank to the bottom of the ocean and was unrecoverable.

Marano had to recreate the physical exertion of scuba diving in post-production, doing jumping jacks and hyperventilating in a vocal booth to capture the energy of the scenes. She also confirmed that she handled real stinky chum in one scene, which left a lasting impression on her senses.

Music remains Marano’s first love, and she has released new music in recent months. She hasn’t ruled out revisiting ‘Austin & Ally’ in the future, should the plot and story be right for her.

A Star’s Journey into Action

With ‘Above and Below,’ Laura Marano has taken a significant step into the world of action films, showcasing her versatility as an actress. The movie’s blend of thriller and adventure elements has made it a compelling watch, and Marano’s performance has garnered attention from fans and critics alike.

As Marano continues to grow as an actress, it will be interesting to see how she navigates future projects. With her passion for music and her experience in action films, the possibilities are endless for this talented star.