“Annie,” opening on Friday, December 19, is expected to be the family blockbuster of the holiday season. The film stars Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis, Cameron Díaz, Rose Byrne, David Zayas and Bobby Cannavale. As a Broadway classic the musical has delighted audiences for generations. Now with Director/Producer/Screenwriter Will Gluck and a production team that includes Shawn ‘Jay Z’ Carter, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, the story takes a more contemporary approach.
We spoke with David Zayas, the prominent actor who starred in “Dexter” for eight seasons before finding success yet again in the current television hit “Gotham.” Zayas portrays ‘Lou,’ the venerable bodega owner who befriends Annie and her buddies

Academy Award nominee Quvenzhané Wallis stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who’s also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they’d be back for her someday, it’s been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). But everything’s about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) – advised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) – makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he’s her guardian angel, but Annie’s self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it’s the other way around.

David Zayas was born in Ponce and grew up in the Bronx. After joining the Air Force and a stint as a police officer, he found his true calling on the stage as a member of the LAByrinth Theater Company. He went to appear in several film and television projects before landing the role of Angel Batista on Showtime’s hit series “Dexter.” Currently, Zayas portrays Italian Mob boss Don Salvatore Maroni in the Batman prequel “Gotham,” now receiving high praise and solid ratings on FOX. His gentle role in “Annie” is a rare departure from the tough roles he usually plays. In an HOMBRE exclusive he discusses ‘Lou,’ his career and the future of Latinos in Hollywood.

HOMBRE: What can you tell us about your role in ‘Annie’?
David Zayas: The part I play is ‘Lou,’ a character who owns a ‘bodega’ across the street where Annie and the foster children live with Miss Hannigan. I interact with them on a daily basis and when certain circumstances take place in the film, I get involved and try to help Annie

H: Were you familiar with the story?
DZ: I never saw the play, but I saw the movie. Everyone is familiar with the story. This is an interesting take on it. They made it a story that could happen at anytime, to anybody, of any ethnicity. It’s a story that will always be pertinent.

H: Has your character appeared in the story in past versions?
DZ: It’s a new character, but has the traits of a few other characters that were in the play.

H: What are your expectations for the film?
DZ: It’s a wonderful family film. I’m hoping it will be well received, especially by young people. I don’t usually do a film that my grandkids can see, but this one they can.

H: How did you research the role?
DZ: I am from those neighborhoods. We filmed all around New York and my character is someone I’ve seen several times, in my neighborhood and in neighborhoods in New York. I was able to take from the average New Yorker or ‘bodega’ owner who cares about their community and I was able to incorporate that in the film.

H: Most people remember you from  the role in “Dexter,” how was that ride?
DZ: I had a marvelous time with “Dexter.” It was a wonderful character. It’s something people still stop me and recognize me from, and just have great things to say about it. It had one of the best casts, best writing and best producers. We’re constantly getting a new audience.

H: How are you enjoying your role in “Gotham”?
DZ: It’s fantastic. Good writing, just a great show that’s a lot of fun to do.

H: What advice can you offer those getting into the business?
DZ: There is no formula. I went into this not thinking of what I was going to get out of it. I just love doing it. I say, have a passion for it and go into it with a positive attitude and try to learn as much as you can

H: How do you select your roles?
DZ: I like things that spark my interest. I’m also conscious of what I represent and that is important. But ultimately it becomes how well written the project is, the people I will be working with, how I feel about that character, and how the entire story presents itself.

H: Being a successful Latin actor, how do you see the situation for Latin talent in Hollywood?
DZ: You want art in general, whether it’s television, film, painting, music; you want art to represent the society and the world you’re living in today. I don’t dwell on what’s not happening. I see what is happening and try to build from there. Is there room for improvement? Of course there is. I’ve had a great a career and always represented myself as latino, as a New Yorker. The situation is always fluctuating. There are times when things are good and times that they’re not so good. I think part of it is you want people to create and write stories that you are familiar with, that you can relate to. That’s not only in the aspect of acting, that is also in producing and writing. Now I see it in an upward momentum.

H: And finally, getting back to “Annie,” why should audiences see the film?
DZ: It’s a wonderful family film that could happen at anytime. It’s a positive message. It’s a great indication that anyone’s life is valuable and this movie shows that.