Filipino-Italian actor, director and producer Ruben Maria Soriquez is marking 2025 as a major turning point in his career, as he begins to solidify his presence in Hollywood with several international projects.
“This year, I’m especially grateful for the roles and co-stars I’ve worked with,” Soriquez said in an interview. “I landed a significant role in Donald Petrie’s ‘The Last Resort,’ and all my scenes are with ‘Star Wars’ actress Daisy Ridley. For me, this is a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to be in a major Hollywood production — and finally, it happened.”
While Soriquez has previously appeared in Hollywood projects, such as a supporting role in “General Commander” alongside Steven Seagal, he emphasized that “The Last Resort” is his most substantial international project to date. “Back then, I played a villain in ‘General Commander,’ which was distributed by Lionsgate. But this time, the project is bigger. ‘The Last Resort’ features a stellar cast that includes Sam Neill, the star of Spielberg’s ‘Jurassic Park.’ I still can’t believe I’m part of this ensemble.”
Soriquez also revealed that in 2019, he had been approached by Oscar-winning producer Mark Gordon to play the antagonist opposite Chris Pratt in “Cowboy Viking Ninja,” but the project was eventually shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Too bad it didn’t push through — but I’m confident more opportunities like that will come,” he said.
“The Last Resort,” an upcoming romantic comedy directed by Donald Petrie and written by Karen McCullah, stars Daisy Ridley, Alden Ehrenreich, Tia Carrere and Sam Neill. Soriquez plays the role of Signor Rossi, though details about his character remain under wraps due to a non-disclosure agreement.
Beyond acting, Soriquez is expanding his footprint in the US entertainment industry. “I’m now working as a development producer and co-writer on a US sci-fi television series created by Virginia Travers. We’re currently in the funding stage, and breaking into platforms like Netflix, Hulu or Amazon is incredibly competitive.”
Soriquez is also celebrating another milestone with “The Mariana’s Web,” a horror/sci-fi film in which he plays the lead. The film recently secured international distribution through American company Cardinal XD. “I play a lonely Italian farmer who meets the woman of his dreams online. It’s directed by Marco Calvise and shot in both Italy and the Philippines. The film has that ‘Black Mirror’ vibe. My co-star is Alexa Ocampo, and while the rest of the cast is mostly Italian, Alexa is the female lead,” he shared.
“The Mariana’s Web” is expected to be released theatrically in several countries, with negotiations underway for streaming rights in the US.
Soriquez also addressed his two-year hiatus from film work, revealing that he had shifted his focus to music. “After ‘Pandemiocracy’ in 2021, I stepped back from acting to work on my debut album in 2022 and 2023. I’ve just finished ‘The Mariana’s Web’ and ‘The Immortal Hunters’ — the latter is already streaming in the US – and now I’m also busy with my second album.”
Despite his renewed focus on acting, Soriquez expressed interest in returning to directing. “Lately, I’ve been more focused on acting, but I feel the urge to direct again. I have a few documentary projects in mind, and I also want to direct and star in an action film. I already have a solid script — I’m just waiting to see how things unfold.”
Following his role in “The Last Resort,” Soriquez signed with a new European agent, which he believes will open more doors in international cinema. Looking back on his journey, Soriquez remains content with his achievements and is now focused on nurturing his children’s talents.
“Throughout my career, I’ve seen many of my dreams come true. I’ve reached the goals I set for myself. At this point, I live by ‘come what may.’ I’m not chasing anything anymore,” he said. “I have four talented kids, and I want to invest time in helping them develop their gifts. My youngest, who’s three, already shows a love for singing and acting — she looks like a young Liza Soberano! I’ll continue to take on projects, but my children are now my priority.”
