Former Nickelodeon stars Isabela Merced and Cree are closer than ever before after starring in the Max movie Turtles All the Way Down together. Merced, who starred in 100 Things to Do Before High School, became friends with Game Shakers star Cree back when they were child actors.
“We met each other a while ago. We were actually friends during our Nickelodeon days, and we somehow always kept in touch because of mutual friends. [It was] pure coincidence that we both got cast, mind you. This movie was our opportunity to grow closer and have a more personal connection,” explained Merced to ComingSoon.
Already knowing each other made their jobs on the set easier, too, as Isabela Merced and Cree play a pair of teenage best friends in the coming-of-age movie.
“[Cree] helped me up physically and emotionally in many ways. Having her there during some of the tougher scenes was just a blessing. I mean, if you get to know Cree, you’ll realize that she’s one of the most unique people you’ll ever meet. What a smart individual who doesn’t hold herself or try to hold herself like a smart person. She just is. She’s so quick and witty. She’s a perfect casting for Daisy, in my opinion. She looks great with pink hair.”
What is Turtles All the Way Down about?
“The film follows the story of 17-year-old protagonist, Aza Holmes (Isabela Merced). It’s not easy being Aza, but she’s trying … trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, and a good student, all while navigating an endless barrage of invasive, obsessive thoughts that she cannot control. When she reconnects with Davis (Felix Mallard), her childhood crush, Aza is confronted with fundamental questions about her potential for love, happiness, friendship, and hope,” reads the synopsis.
The Turtles All the Way Down is directed by Hannah Marks from a screenplay co-written by Love, Simon scribes Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker. The film also stars Cree, Felix Mallard, Maliq Johnson, Poorna Jagannathan, Judy Reyes, J. Smith-Cameron and more. It is executive produced by Green, Richard Brener, Bart Lipton, Laura Quicksilver, and Rosianna Halse Rojas.