In 1955, five young Mexican-American boys defied all odds to come out as Texas golf champions. This true underdog story comes to life on screen through the historical film adaptation The Long Game, out in theaters on April 12. Ahead of the film’s release, we chatted with Julian Works who plays Joe Trevino, Paulina Chávez who plays Daniela Torres, José Julián who plays Lupe, and Miguel Angel Garcia who plays Felipe, to learn more about the real people they portrayed and the importance of telling this story.

The Long Game was adapted from the 2010 book Mustang Miracle by Humberto G. Garcia. The film follows the story of the San Felipe Mustangs, composed of five young caddies, who founded and created their own golf course in the middle of the South Texas desert, and despite the odds and prejudice against them from members of the white country club in town, went on to win the 1957 Texas State High School Golf Championship. In addition to the actors we chatted with, the film also has a star studded cast including Jay Hernandez as JB Peña, Dennis Quaid as Frank Mitchell, Cheech Martin as Pollo, and more. 

You may have already recognized these actors, as Julian is known for his roles in Beautiful Boy and 9-1-1: Lone Star, Paulina for the Netflix hit show Fate: The Winx Saga, Miguuel for his role as Moco in the Netflix drama Blue Miracle, and José for his role as Gordie in The Society. 

In The Long Game, many scenes were shot on the golf course, and the actors revealed they were the ones actually playing golf. Miguel and José said there were instructors in Columbia, where the film was shot, that taught them the game. Julian said he had been a big golf player before and it made him that much more motivated and passionate about being in this film. 

Miguel: “Putting on a costume and then stepping into character is always like a kind of transcendental experience. It’s really amazing. But I think just learning about that time period, you know, I felt like I was in a group of actors that definitely really cared about the story.”

Portraying real life people experiencing hardship, Miguel said it was important for the cast to learn about these people and how the game of golf was different. Fast forward to today, all of the actors agreed that the people they portrayed broke barriers and would be happy to know there are many Latino golfers on the PGA tour today. 

Paulina: “I think knowing that women were still so strong and they continued to be and they were not silenced.” 

José: “I’m pretty sure Lupe would have been very, very happy to hear that Latinos have made it onto the PGA tour, or just taking up the sport of golf to a much more extensive degree than people did at that time.”

Julian said the overall theme of the movie is about chasing your dreams, with both Miguel and José agreeing that the boys they played had a work ethic like no other. Paulina ended by saying The Long Game is about making the impossible possible. 

Julian: “The overall theme for me was chasing your dreams, staying dedicated and the underdog of achieving something that is bigger than you. If you want something, you got to work for it, go get it.”

Thank you to Julian, Paulina, José, and Miguel for chatting with Young Entertainment. Follow them on their Instagram’s at @paulinafchavez, @julesworks, @migangelgarcia. Watch the video below where we ask them more about working together on and off set, the importance of representation in film, and funny behind the scenes moments. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel for the latest news in young entertainment. 

Consider this: 

• Follow your dreams, whatever they may be. The work ethic and determination that you have will pay off in the long run. 
• If you are playing a character with a certain gift or passion, try to get into that character by teaching yourself or learning about that talent.