The Book Of Life Cast: Where Are They Now In 2025? (The Voice Actors’ Biggest New Projects)

The Book of Life, the visually stunning 2014 animated feature from director Jorge R. Gutierrez and producer Guillermo del Toro, remains a beloved film celebrated for its unique style and heartfelt story inspired by the Mexican holiday, Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). A decade after its release, fans are still captivated by the iconic love triangle between Manolo, Maria, and Joaquin, and the fate of the long-rumored sequel, The Book of Life 2.

As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the star-studded voice cast—a blend of Hollywood heavyweights and prominent Latino actors—have taken on some of the biggest projects in film and television. This deep dive reveals the complete cast and character list, their latest career moves, and the most current, albeit discouraging, update on the much-anticipated sequel.

The Complete Book of Life Cast: 30+ Entities and Voice Actor Biographies

The film’s success is intrinsically linked to its incredible ensemble cast, which lent powerful, recognizable voices to the vibrant characters. This list provides the essential entities for topical authority, including the main voice actors, their characters, and a brief biographical snapshot of their careers.

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• Diego Luna (Manolo Sánchez): A celebrated Mexican actor, director, and producer. Known globally for his roles in *Y tu mamá también*, *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story*, and the Disney+ series *Andor*. He voiced the romantic bullfighter and musician, Manolo.
• Zoë Saldaña (María Posada): An American actress known for major sci-fi franchises, including Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (*Guardians of the Galaxy*) and Neytiri in the *Avatar* series. She voiced the independent and strong-willed María.
• Channing Tatum (Joaquín Mondragón): An American actor and producer, famous for roles in *Magic Mike*, *21 Jump Street*, and *Foxcatcher*. He voiced the heroic, medal-adorned soldier, Joaquín.
• Kate del Castillo (La Muerte): A prominent Mexican-American actress known for the TV series *La Reina del Sur* and films like *Bad Boys for Life*. She voiced La Muerte, the beautiful and benevolent ruler of the Land of the Remembered.
• Ron Perlman (Xibalba): A veteran American actor known for *Hellboy* and *Sons of Anarchy*. He voiced Xibalba, the cynical ruler of the Land of the Forgotten.
• Ice Cube (The Candle Maker): A legendary American rapper, actor, and filmmaker. He voiced The Candle Maker, a whimsical deity who oversees the Book of Life itself.
• Christina Applegate (Mary Beth): An American actress known for *Married... with Children* and *Dead to Me*. She voiced Mary Beth, the museum guide who narrates the story.
• Danny Trejo (Skeleton Luis Sánchez): A prolific American actor known for his tough-guy roles in films like *Machete*. He voiced Manolo’s grandfather, Luis Sánchez.
• Héctor Elizondo (Carlos Sánchez): An American actor known for *Pretty Woman* and *Last Man Standing*. He voiced Manolo’s father, Carlos Sánchez.
• Ana de la Reguera (General Emilia Posada): A Mexican actress known for *Narcos* and *Goliath*. She voiced María’s mother, General Emilia Posada.
• Gabriel Iglesias (Pepe Rodríguez/Pancho Rodríguez): An American stand-up comedian and actor, often known as "Fluffy." He voiced the two-headed bandit, Pepe and Pancho.
• Cheech Marin (Pancho Rodríguez): An American comedian and actor, half of the duo Cheech & Chong. He also voiced a bandit.
• Plácido Domingo (Jorge Sánchez): The legendary Spanish opera singer voiced Manolo’s great-grandfather, Jorge Sánchez.
• Eugenio Derbez (Chuy): A highly successful Mexican actor and filmmaker. He voiced María’s pet pig, Chuy.
• Grey Griffin (Grandma Sánchez): A renowned American voice actress. She voiced Manolo’s grandmother.
• Elias Garza (Young Manolo): Voice of the younger Manolo Sánchez.
• Genesis Rodriguez (Young Maria): Voice of the younger María Posada.
• Carlos Alazraqui (Chakal/Dalmatian): A prolific voice actor.
• Miguel Sandoval (Land of the Remembered Captain): An American actor.
• Dan Navarro (Land of the Forgotten Captain): An American singer and voice actor.
• Jorge R. Gutierrez (Director/Voice Actor for Carmelo Sánchez): The film's director, who also voiced Manolo's great-great-grandfather.
• Guillermo del Toro (Producer): The legendary Mexican filmmaker and producer.

The Cast’s Biggest and Freshest Projects in 2025

The core trio of voice actors from *The Book of Life* have continued to dominate major film and television projects, ensuring their relevance remains high as of December 2025. Their latest work highlights their versatile careers since the animated film’s release.

Zoë Saldaña: The Queen of Sci-Fi Continues Her Reign

Zoë Saldaña, who brought the fiercely independent Maria Posada to life, is set to have a massive year in 2025, largely due to her commitments to some of the biggest cinematic franchises in history.

Her most anticipated project is the continuation of James Cameron's epic saga, with the expected release of *Avatar: Fire and Ash* (also known as *Avatar 3*). Saldaña will reprise her iconic role as the Na'vi warrior Neytiri, a character that cemented her status as a global superstar.

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Additionally, she is slated to voice a character named Olga in the Pixar animated film *Elio*, further demonstrating her continued success in the voice acting world, much like her work on *The Book of Life*. Saldaña's upcoming slate also includes the thriller *The Bluff*, showcasing her range beyond blockbuster sci-fi.

Channing Tatum: From Magic Mike to True Crime

Channing Tatum, the voice of the heroic and often comical Joaquin Mondragón, is transitioning into more dramatic roles while still maintaining his blockbuster status.

His most significant upcoming project for 2025 is the crime film *Roofman*. Based on a crazy true story, Tatum stars as Jeffrey Manchester, a former Army Ranger who became a spree robber and lived secretly inside a toy store. This project, which also stars Kirsten Dunst, promises a compelling and darker turn for the actor, moving away from his musical and comedic roots.

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Diego Luna: Championing Independent and Star Wars Projects

Diego Luna, the voice of the soulful protagonist Manolo Sánchez, has cemented his legacy in both Hollywood and the Mexican film industry, with 2025 shaping up to be a key year for his production work.

While his major Disney+ series, *Andor* (where he plays Cassian Andor), has been a critical success, Luna’s focus is also heavily on new, compelling projects. He is set to star in and produce the new series *La Máquina*, which reunites him with his long-time collaborator, Gael García Bernal.

Furthermore, Luna continues his work as a producer, notably presenting Santiago Maza's documentary *State of Silence*, a powerful portrait of the violence faced by journalists in Mexico. His dedication to both major franchises and meaningful independent cinema highlights his continued influence in the industry.

The Uncertain Future of The Book of Life 2 and Behind-the-Scenes Facts

The question of a sequel, *The Book of Life 2*, has been a constant source of speculation since the film’s release. The initial excitement was high, with director Jorge R. Gutierrez confirming that a sequel was officially in the works with Reel FX Animation Studios.

However, recent updates have been less encouraging. While the project has a confirmed existence, director Gutierrez has given a "discouraging update," indicating that the development status remains uncertain and sporadic. The director has expressed that the sequel would likely focus on the relationship between Manolo and Maria, exploring their lives and the next chapter of their story.

Unique Voice Acting Facts and Topical Authority

One of the elements that gives *The Book of Life* its unique charm is the musical element, particularly Manolo Sánchez’s singing. The character's voice was split between two actors: Diego Luna provided the speaking voice, while Joe Matthews provided the powerful and emotional singing voice for Manolo’s musical performances.

The film’s unique visual style, which features characters designed to look like wooden puppets, was a key element championed by producer Guillermo del Toro. The director, Jorge R. Gutierrez, also contributed his voice to the film, playing the role of Carmelo Sánchez, adding a personal touch to the cast ensemble.

The casting was praised for its commitment to featuring a predominantly Latino voice cast, including stars like Kate del Castillo, Héctor Elizondo, Ana de la Reguera, and Eugenio Derbez, which provided authentic cultural resonance to the Día de Muertos themes.

Despite the discouraging news about *The Book of Life 2*, the lasting success of the original film and the continued high-profile careers of its cast—Diego Luna, Zoë Saldaña, Channing Tatum, Ron Perlman, and Ice Cube—ensure that the world of Manolo and Maria remains a prominent topic in animated film discussion. Fans continue to hold out hope for a future announcement from Reel FX or Jorge R. Gutierrez that will bring the beloved characters back to the screen.