Eden Estrella Dishes on Working with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on ‘The Fate of the Furious’

With critics all around the world praising The Fate of the Furious, we can’t wait for the latest installment of the Fast and the Furious franchise to release in theaters this week.

The Fate of the Furious picks up two years after the last movie. Now that Dom (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) are on their honeymoon, Brian and Mia have retired from the game, and the rest of the crew has been exonerated, the globetrotting team has found a semblance of a normal life. But when a mysterious woman (Charlize Theron) seduces Dom back into a world of crime that he can’t seem to escape, the crew will face trials that will test them as never before.

Celeb Secrets had the opportunity to sit down with Eden Estrella recently, who plays Samantha, daughter of Luke Hobbs (Johnson) in the film. Samantha is an adventurous spirit well-versed in her father’s lore, while having a close relationship and maintaining high respect for her father.

In our Q&A, the 14-year-old actress talks about working with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and playing his daughter, why she feels that people love the Fast and the Furious franchise so much, her best and worst moments from set, and a behind-the-scenes secret that you won’t see on-screen.

Read the full Q&A below and keep up with Eden by following her on Twitter at @EdenEstrella.

The Fate of the Furious opens in theaters Friday, April 14th.

Celeb Secrets: You’re returning for “The Fate of the Furious,” this April — what can fans expect from this anticipated movie and your character?

Eden Estrella: “Fans can expect even more action, more drama and a new angle as masterminded by F. Gary Gray. As to my character, it shows a little more of a mature side, however, she is still tough on her dad (Dwayne Johnson’s character) and the a little more insight into their father-daughter relationship.”

Celeb Secrets: You get to play opposite of Dwayne Johnson. How is working with him? Did he give you any advice or pointers off screen?

Eden Estrella: “Dwayne is a real professional on the set, and very funny too.  He always has tips and suggestions for what we should do or how we should interact in our scenes. And whenever he ad libs or does something spontaneous (which is often) I just go along with it!”

Celeb Secrets: You express how proud you are working on this film through social media. Why do you think people love the “Fast and the Furious” movies so much?

Eden Estrella: “I am proud be part of this family and it really is a family who care about each other. And each time, I have always felt at home on the set. I think fans love the “Fast and the Furious” movies because of the perfect balance between action and those heartfelt moments, between the real and the imagined, like seriously, can cars fly?”

Celeb Secrets: What’s been your favorite moment working on this franchise? And the toughest?

Eden Estrella: “My favorite moment was when we were taught the Haka. To know the meaning behind this dance, and to express the spirituality and its roots and history was pretty incredible and powerful.

The toughest moment was in filming the soccer scenes, in the hot, searing heat and July humidity of Atlanta, GA.”

Celeb Secrets: Are you working on any other projects?

Eden Estrella: “Yes, currently and without giving too much away, I am filming this month for “Lifeline”, a new series from Dwayne Johnson’s Seven Bucks Production and YouTube Red collaboration.”

Celeb Secrets: Since we are Celeb Secrets, can you share with us a behind-the-scenes secret from set that fans don’t get to see on screen?

Eden Estrella: “They had told me that they would use a stunt double to play soccer for me, since they hired a group of soccer kids from Atlanta. But I said, “I think can do it.” And so the coach took the time to teach me how to play soccer with the local team of girls he coached.”