Mamonas Assassinas marked a generation and built a legion of fans who perpetuate their legacy. Actor, comedian and presenter, Ton Prado was part of this generation and is now preparing to bring to life the story of one of the most beloved bands in the country: he will play Rico, Rick Bonadio from the feature film “ Mamonas Assassinas – O Impossível Não Existe ”. Later, it will go to Record’s small screens as “ Mamonas Assassinas – A Série ”, a series with never-before-seen scenes. In addition, Ton will also be in “A Brilliant Lawyer”, alongside Leandro Hassum, Nany People and more, showing his versatility in the Netflix comedy. Rick Bonadio was responsible for discovering the Mamonas Assassinas. One of the greatest entrepreneurs in the music industry who remains in evidence to this day.
What was the experience like playing Rick Bonadio, such an iconic figure in the history of Mamonas Assassinas?
The character Enrico is inspired by Rick Bonadio, a very important figure in the history of the Mamonas, the character brings special elements to the stories between these young people. As a fan of the band, of course I already knew the whole story of Rick Bonadio, so the happiness in knowing that I would bring him to life was enormous. A character full of presence, strength and expertise in commanding and stitching together the story of an iconic musical group.
You mentioned that your entire youth was marked by the Mamonas Assassinas. What was it like revisiting that time and bringing this story to life on film?
Have you ever thought, a super fan of the band after 28 years of being present in a super production telling the story of your idols? That’s what I think all the time… How incredible and pleasurable to be in this project. Reliving and revisiting an era also healed a void felt by a child fan who was left without his idols overnight. And giving life again to this explosive joy that was the Mamonas, was special, even more so these days, where we increasingly need this humor, this lightness and the certainty that when we live more in this frequency, several souls can be healed.
To portray Rick Bonadio, you had to learn boxing in a short time. What was this process of preparing for the character like?
I was intensely immersed throughout the month of casting preparation with this character, and one of the challenges was learning boxing in just 2 days, as there was no time to stop and dedicate myself to classes due to lack of time. The thing was to pay close attention and listen to the teacher’s commands for punches and posture of a boxing athlete, repeating movements and practicing ” sparring ” without stopping. In the end I discovered that boxing is a great exercise even for me.
In addition to the film “Mamonas Assassinas – O Impossível Não Existe”, you will also be in the series about the band. Can you tell us a little about what to expect from this television production?
If fans already loved it and were excited to revisit the 90s with the film. Get ready, because the series will bring many more moments and stories from this band loved by Brazilians. We recorded the film and the series simultaneously, which I can say are new scenes, other moments in the story and a different way of telling the story in 5 episodes for television.
In “A Brilliant Lawyer”, you act alongside big names in Brazilian humor. What was it like working with this cast and what can we expect from the film?
The invitation came from director Ale McHaddo, and I work alongside incredible comedy artists. In my participation Paulinho Serra, Bruno Garcia, Leandro Hassum and Renata Bras share a very fun scene with me. A smart, prepared cast and sagas with the script, jokes and intentions, the result couldn’t be any different, very entertaining. For audiences who love comedy, Leandro Hassum this time has a female character. In other words, there is no way to lose.
You’ve acted in and produced independent films like ” Wanderlust ” and ” Rage Pill “. Can you share a little about these projects and what the public can expect?
I am an actor who also produces my own work. The films ” Wanderlust ” and “Rage Pill ” were a partnership with filmmaker friends, where they had the idea and embraced the project as an actor and producer. The 2 films were shot outside Brazil, one in Ireland and the other in Bolivia. For those who like films known as cult, Tarantino/Kubrick style, you will love it and identify with it. We escaped the popular cinema languages that we know in Brazil. They will soon be released on streaming platforms.
In addition to your film career, you are also involved in streaming projects, such as the podcast “No Tom”. What is it like for you to explore different entertainment platforms?
Each entertainment platform can immerse me in a huge world and at the same time, the “No Tom” podcast has the uncompromising ability to be something serious even when talking about serious subjects, or even following standards. On the contrary, there we talk about whatever we want, a variety of topics, but always with humor, as if we were at a bar table. The more I experience these diversities, the more I expand with my creativity. But, it is not easy to carry out all these projects alone, I am looking for partners in this project.
In your career, you have had experiences in theater, television and now cinema. Are there any of these mediums that you prefer or that pose a particular challenge for you as an actor?
I love the theater, the adrenaline that the stage causes, the silence in the wings, the 3 signals before it starts, the buzz and warmth of the audience. Just as I am increasingly passionate about cinema every day, which makes me challenged in every comma of the text, intentions in the eyes and everything that surrounds this art. I think that all possibilities, whether TV, cinema or theater, bring different challenges to the artist, and that provokes me. (I love hot teasing).
What’s it like balancing humor and seriousness in your roles, especially in “A Brilliant Lawyer,” where you mention that your character plays with humor by being serious?
It’s an incredible challenge, being serious while causing laughter. Of course, the script and the character’s lines help a lot in this place, and putting together this hint of seriousness with debauchery in the words, it makes the audience feel this unusual and uncomfortable place where laughter is provoked. I love humor, I have this place in my daily life, and new ways of doing this art of laughing delight me. I love watching humor monsters, they teach me.
What are your future plans and projects in your artistic career? Are there any dream roles you still hope to play?
My plans are to be blessed even more in art, in my career being presented with new and diverse works. I love to work! This leads me to plan future projects. As for the role of dreams, I don’t have anything fixed in mind, but I love being provoked to experience new thoughts, new places that aren’t mine, it puts me in incredible dreams. And who knows how to play some more biographical personalities, just like in Mamonas.
Recently, producer Rick Bonadio went viral with a video about his opinion on the film, including criticizing the production for not following the truth about the story. What is your opinion regarding his criticism?
In this video, he only pointed out to his fans that it is not the true story of his career. Before the premiere, I had already commented to the press that our film is a fiction freely based on real stories, that is, it would not be a biographical film about my character’s story. But Enrico also has a firm, dedicated and friendly position as a producer.
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