Remember blasting "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl" on your DVD player? That wild, superpowered adventure felt like a sugar rush straight to the brain. Seriously, who didn't want elemental powers after seeing this flick? But let's be real, it's been ages. The main thing folks search for now? The cast of LavaGirl and SharkBoy. Who played them? What happened to those actors? Did Max really dream them up? I get it. You're probably rewatching it with your kids, or maybe feeling nostalgic yourself, and suddenly you NEED to know where Taylor Lautner went after Jacob Black. You're in the right spot. This isn’t just a list – it’s the deep dive into every face that made that crazy dream world tick. We're talking the main trio, the voices you heard, the faces you barely saw, and what every single one of them is doing *right now*. Yeah, I went down the rabbit hole so you don't have to. Buckle up.
Honestly, finding clear info on the full cast of LavaGirl and SharkBoy can be frustrating. Bits and pieces scattered everywhere, outdated bios, nothing truly complete. That ends today. We’re covering everyone, and I mean everyone.
The Core Trio: Breaking Down the Heroes
These three carried the whole wild ride. Let's get specific.
Taylor Lautner as Sharkboy
Man, talk about a breakout role before the *real* breakout role. Taylor Lautner was pure energy as Sharkboy. He was only 13 during filming! That parkour-inspired agility? Totally him. He trained intensely to pull off those flips and tumbles. You gotta admire the dedication. People often forget he wasn't just a face; he brought a physicality that defined the character.
Where is he now? Well, obviously, Twilight happened. Big time. Jacob Black became a global phenomenon. But after that franchise wrapped? Lautner stepped back a bit from massive blockbusters. He did some indie films ("Run the Tide"), popped up in TV shows ("Scream Queens"), and honestly? Seems happier doing comedy lately. He hosted "Saturday Night Live" and nailed it, honestly funnier than I expected. He runs a podcast now with his wife too. Still looks like he could summon a sharknado though.
Taylor Dooley as Lavagirl
Taylor Dooley *was* Lavagirl. That fiery red hair? Iconic. That controlled burn? She made it believable. I remember thinking her power visuals were the coolest part of the movie back then. Dooley was 11 when filming started. Eleven!
Post-Lavagirl, she kinda vanished from the big screen spotlight for a while. Focused more on smaller projects and honestly, just living life. She did some web series work ("The Middle of the Night Show"), modeled a bit, and reappeared in some TV movies. Recently? Big news – she reprised Lavagirl for Netflix’s "We Can Be Heroes" (2020), Rodriguez’s spiritual sequel. Talk about a comeback! Fans went wild seeing her back in the role. She's also active on social media, connecting with fans who grew up with her.
Okay, confession: Her wig in the original movie? Sometimes looked a little... plasticky in close-ups. Especially near the lava streams. But hey, early 2000s CGI, what can ya do?
Cayden Boyd as Max
The kid whose dream started it all. Cayden Boyd played Max, the lonely dreamer bullied by Linus. He was the relatable anchor amidst all the elemental chaos. Boyd was about 10 years old here.
After Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Boyd kept acting steadily. You might have seen him as a young Denzel Washington in "Man on Fire" (super intense role for a kid!), or in "Milk" with Sean Penn. He transitioned more into teen and young adult roles in TV movies and series ("The Fugitive", "See Dad Run"). Seems like he stepped back from acting around the mid-2010s? Info gets thin. Last major credit was a TV movie in 2016. Hope he's doing well wherever he is.
| Actor | Character | Age During Filming | Key Post-Movie Highlights | Active Now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor Lautner | Sharkboy | 13 | Twilight Saga, Scream Queens (TV), Hosting SNL, Podcast ("The Squeeze") | Yes (Podcasting, Occasional Acting) |
| Taylor Dooley | Lavagirl | 11 | Web series, Modeling, We Can Be Heroes (Netflix Sequel) | Yes (Acting, Social Media) |
| Cayden Boyd | Max | 10 | Man on Fire, Milk, Various TV Movies & Shows | Seemingly Not (Last Credit 2016) |
Beyond the Heroes: The Supporting Cast of LavaGirl and SharkBoy
It wasn't just the power trio. These folks filled out Planet Drool and the real world.
The Villains & Adults Who Didn't Get It
- George Lopez as Mr. Electricidad / Tobor / Ice Guardian / Electric Guards / Minions: Lopez was everywhere! Voiced like half the bad guys and robots. Classic Lopez energy, bringing that chaotic humor. He was huge on sitcoms ("George Lopez") at the time. Still massively active – stand-up specials, voice work ("Rio"), hosting shows.
- David Arquette as Max's Dad: Played the distracted inventor dad trying to understand Max. Arquette was deep in his "Scream" franchise fame then. Kept busy with tons of indie films, TV ("Cougar Town"), wrestling stuff, and documentaries lately. Always seems like he's having fun.
- Kristin Davis as Max's Mom: Yes, Charlotte from "Sex and the City"! Short but sweet role as the supportive mom. Kept rocking "SATC" and its movies, plus shows like "Happily Divorced." Still acts occasionally.
- Jacob Davich as Linus / Minus: The main bully, Linus. Davich bounced around a few other kid roles ("Malcolm in the Middle," "ER") but acting trailed off after 2007. Seems to be out of the industry.
- Sasha Pieterse as Marissa / Ice Princess: Before "Pretty Little Liars," Pieterse was the snotty Ice Princess freezing Planet Drool! Small role, chillingly effective (pun intended). Obviously blew up huge later.
Man, finding reliable info on some of the smaller kid roles? Tough sledding. Film credits get messy.
The Voices Behind Planet Drool
Planet Drool was LOUD. So many creatures needed voices!
| Voice Actor | Voiced Characters | Other Notable Roles You Know |
|---|---|---|
| Rico Torres (as Rico Rodriguez) | Sharkboy's Shark (Various Barks & Growls) | Primarily Stunt Performer (Spy Kids, Machete) |
| Marc Musso | Various Drool Creatures | Spy Kids 2 & 3 (Curtis), Walker Texas Ranger |
| Devon Werkheiser | Various Drool Creatures | Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide (Ned) |
| Courtney Jines | Various Drool Creatures | Spy Kids 2 & 3 (16+ Models), Lizzie McGuire |
See what I mean? Rodriguez reused his Spy Kids family a lot for voices. Smart move, they knew his style. Rico Torres (credited as Rodriguez) doing shark sounds? That cracks me up.
Where Are They Now? Tracking the Full Cast of LavaGirl and SharkBoy
Okay, let's get serious about the updates. You clicked because you want to know "where are they now?" Let's break it down clearly.
Major Players: Lautner, Dooley, Lopez
- Taylor Lautner: Post-Twilight, took selective roles. Focus shifted towards comedy ("Cuckoo" UK series), podcasting ("The Squeeze" with wife Taylor Dome), and business ventures. Married in 2022. Seems content away from the mega-franchise grind. Still incredibly fit.
- Taylor Dooley: Had a quieter acting path after the original film. Did pursue studies. The BIG return was "We Can Be Heroes" (2020) on Netflix, reprising Lavagirl for a new generation. Major fan service win. Very active engaging with fans online about the experience. Still looks perfectly cast as Lavagirl.
- George Lopez: Never slowed down. Stand-up tours consistently pack houses. Numerous TV shows (sitcoms, reality competitions like "Lopez vs Lopez"), frequent voice actor ("Rio," "Elena of Avalor"), and even launched his own podcast lately. A comedy institution still going strong.
Seeing Dooley back in the suit for "We Can Be Heroes"? That hit different. Pure nostalgia blast. Rodriguez knew exactly what he was doing.
Supporting Cast Updates
- Cayden Boyd: Disappeared from the industry radar after 2016. Last known acting role was the TV movie "Pure Genius." No verified public social media presence linked to professional acting. Hope he's living life peacefully.
- David Arquette: Continues a diverse career – wrestling documentaries ("You Cannot Kill David Arquette"), indie horror ("Scream 5"), quirky comedies, recurring TV roles ("CSI: Cyber," "The Goldbergs"). Always hustling, always unique.
- Kristin Davis: Reprised Charlotte York in "Sex and the City" and its sequel series "And Just Like That..." Also known for philanthropy, especially elephant conservation. Less frequent acting, focused on family and causes.
- Sasha Pieterse: Rose to fame as Alison DiLaurentis on "Pretty Little Liars" for years. Starred in the spin-off "Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists." Also pursued music and social media influencing. Recently became a mother and continues acting.
- Jacob Davich (Linus): No confirmed acting credits after 2007. Presumed to have left the entertainment industry entirely. Very little public information available.
It's wild how different paths can be. Some stick with it, some move on completely. No judgment either way. Hollywood's weird.
Revisiting Planet Drool: We Can Be Heroes & The Lavagirl Return
Fast forward to 2020. Robert Rodriguez drops "We Can Be Heroes" on Netflix. Not a direct sequel, but set in the same universe. Kids of superheroes get kidnapped? New team forms. And guess who shows up?
Taylor Dooley IS BACK AS LAVAGIRL! Honestly, this was the headline for original fans. She wasn't just a cameo; she had a significant supporting role as an adult Lavagirl, now a mom herself. Her daughter is part of the new hero gang. Seeing her control lava again? Goosebumps. The design was updated but instantly recognizable. She looked fantastic and clearly enjoyed being back. This was the biggest update for the original cast of LavaGirl and SharkBoy by far.
Did Sharkboy appear? Nope. Taylor Lautner wasn't involved. The movie focused on the kids and new adult heroes. But knowing Lavagirl was out there protecting the universe felt right. Rodriguez confirmed they exist in the same world. Opens the door, right?
Will we see Dooley again? Maybe! "We Can Be Heroes" did well enough to get a sequel greenlit. Filming is supposedly underway. Odds are good Lavagirl returns. Fingers crossed for a Sharkboy surprise? Never say never.
The Legacy & Why We Still Care About This Cast
Look, "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl" wasn't winning Oscars. Critics were... harsh. The CGI was ambitious but rough even for 2005. The plot was bonkers. But you know what? It had heart. It captured that pure, unrestrained kid imagination in a way few movies do. It was colorful, fast-paced, and knew its audience – kids dreaming big.
The cast of LavaGirl and SharkBoy was perfectly suited for that energy. Young, enthusiastic, selling those wild powers with conviction. Lautner was a ball of kinetic energy. Dooley brought that fiery grace. Boyd was the relatable anchor. Lopez chewed every bit of scenery as the villains.
That's why it stuck. It found its audience and became a cult classic through endless replays on cable and DVD. Seeing Dooley return in "We Can Be Heroes" proved the lasting affection. It reminded us of that specific early 2000s Rodriguez vibe – practical effects mixed with green screens, family-centric stories with a weird edge.
Plus, the soundtrack slapped. That theme song? Still catchy.
Finding info on the cast of LavaGirl and SharkBoy matters because it connects us back to that specific childhood feeling. It’s nostalgia, pure and simple. Knowing what happened to them satisfies that curiosity sparked during a rewatch or when your own kids discover it.
Your Burning Questions Answered: Cast of LavaGirl and SharkBoy FAQs
Is Taylor Dooley the same Lavagirl in "We Can Be Heroes"?
Absolutely Yes! Robert Rodriguez brought her back specifically. She plays an adult Lavagirl, now a mother. Her casting was a major selling point for fans of the original.
Why wasn't Taylor Lautner in "We Can Be Heroes"?
No official reason given. Could be scheduling, different interests, or the story just focused on Lavagirl and the new generation. Rodriguez confirmed Sharkboy exists in that universe, though. Maybe someday?
How old were the main actors in Sharkboy and Lavagirl?
- Taylor Lautner (Sharkboy): Around 13 years old.
- Taylor Dooley (Lavagirl): Around 11 years old.
- Cayden Boyd (Max): Around 10 years old.
Did any other original cast members appear in "We Can Be Heroes"?
Just Taylor Dooley/Lavagirl from the main trio. George Lopez voiced characters in both films, but different characters. In "We Can Be Heroes," he voiced Tech-No.
What happened to the kid who played Max?
Cayden Boyd continued acting regularly until around 2016, appearing in films like "Man on Fire" and "Milk," plus numerous TV roles. He hasn't acted since then and seems to have stepped away from the industry publicly.
Was George Lopez actually Tobor and Mr. Electric?
Yes! Lopez provided the voices for Mr. Electricidad, Tobor (the robot king), the Ice Guardian, and the army of Electric Guards/Minions. He was the main vocal force of the villains.
Is there a real Sharkboy and Lavagirl 2 movie?
Not a direct sequel. Robert Rodriguez's 2020 Netflix film "We Can Be Heroes" is set in the same universe and features Taylor Dooley reprising her role as an adult Lavagirl. A sequel to *that* film is in development.
Where can I watch "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl" now?
It streams fairly often on various platforms. Check Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or VOD services like iTunes/Google Play. Availability rotates. DVD/Blu-ray copies are also still widely available.
Okay, I think that covers the absolute essentials and then some. From the main trio's journey to the voice actors you maybe never knew, this guide aimed to be the complete resource on the cast of LavaGirl and SharkBoy. It's fascinating looking back, seeing where paths diverged, and celebrating that Taylor Dooley got to reignite the lava almost two decades later. Makes you wonder what other dreamers are out there, right? Maybe Planet Drool isn't so far away after all. Keep dreaming.
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