Eva Longoria Is Already Reading ‘Many Scripts’ to Find Her Next Directing Effort After ‘Flamin’ Hot’ Success

Eva Longoria jokes that shes taking an extended vacation to get some rest after her whirlwind promotion of Flamin Hot, her feature film directorial debut. I am going to sleep for about three months, Longoria told me Thursday morning. When I come up for air, I hopefully will know what Im doing next.

Joking aside, she said, I will tell you its been very difficult. Ive been sent many scripts already. Ive been reading so much, but theres nothing so far that has sparked in me the intense passion that I had for telling this particular story.

I was asking my agent, Do I have to feel this way about every story I want to direct? Because I havent felt it yet,' Longoria continued. He said that should be the bar.

Flamin Hot tells the story of Richard Montaez, a Frito-Lay executive often credited with the creation of Flamin Hot Cheetos. Since the films premiere launch on June 9 on Hulu and Disney+, it has become Searchlight Pictures most-watched streaming movie of all time, according to the studio. While Searchlight hasnt released numbers, Longoria says shes been following them closely. I will say that its just so impressive how this movie is resonating across cultures, she said. Its not just a Latino movie. Its an underdog story, a perseverance story, a rags-to-riches story and American dream story. So when you see the territories and the reach, its really blown me away.

When I caught up with Longoria over the phone, she was on the South Lawn of the White House, where shell join President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for a screening of the movie Thursday night. Also in attendance will be the films stars Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Bobby Soto and Brice Gonzalez, as well as producer DeVon Franklin, screenwriter Linda Yvette Chvez and songwriter Diane Warren.

In a press release touting the movies success, Searchlight presidents David Greenbaum and Matthew said in a joint statement Wednesday, Just like we witnessed with the festival screenings, the audience response to the film on Hulu and Disney+ with this historic first dual platform release has been tremendous. And what better way to celebrate the extraordinary work of Eva, DeVon and the entire team than a screening at the White House for President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. A momentous occasion indeed!

Flamin Hot premiered in March at SXSW in Austin. Since then, Longoria has headlined a massive publicity tour that has included screenings with the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, NextGen America, National Association of Latino Independent Producers, National Hispanic Media Coalition, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Poderistas and Latinx House.

The community understands the impact that a film like this can have on their lives, Longoria said. They know that the media dictates our image in society. So when they see a film like this with a positive portrayal, with a great message, with amazing talent in front of and behind the camera, everybodys eager to lift it up, because we dont get a lot of bites at the apple.

She also acknowledged the pressure she felt throughout the process. We female filmmakers, Latina filmmakers dont have the luxury of failing, Longoria said. I couldnt afford to fail, and we carried that with us every day on set. Everybody was in the room with me directing that movie. I did not do it alone. That really lifted me up to show up as my best self to deliver the best movie.