Edward James Olmos says playing Jennifer Lopez's father 30 years after 'Selena' is an 'honour'

The veteran actor stars alongside Lopez in the upcoming romantic comedy 'Office Romance' and will play her father

Edward James Olmos has opened up about reuniting with Jennifer Lopez nearly three decades after they famously played father and daughter in the 1997 biopic Selena, calling the experience an “honour”.

The veteran actor stars alongside Lopez in Netflix’s upcoming romantic comedy Office Romance, where he once again portrays her on-screen father. The reunion comes almost 30 years after Lopez played Tejano music icon Selena Quintanilla and Olmos portrayed her father, Abraham Quintanilla, in the film widely credited with launching Lopez’s Hollywood career.

Speaking to People, Olmos said he immediately agreed to join the project because of his long-standing connection with Lopez. The actor revealed he accepted the role without even reading the script first, explaining that his decision was based on his admiration and affection for her.

“It’s an honour,” Olmos said of working with Lopez again, reflecting on the bond they have maintained since Selena. He described their relationship as something built over decades and said seeing Lopez’s growth throughout her career has been deeply meaningful.

Their professional history actually stretches back even further than Selena. Before portraying father and daughter in the beloved biopic, both actors appeared in the 1995 film Mi Familia, where Lopez played a younger version of the woman who eventually became the mother of Olmos’ character.

The reunion has become one of the most talked-about aspects of Office Romance, which stars Lopez as powerful CEO Jackie Cruz. Her character develops feelings for a company lawyer played by Brett Goldstein, who also co-wrote the film alongside Joe Kelly.

Goldstein previously revealed that he specifically wrote the role of Jackie with Lopez in mind, describing her as the ultimate romantic comedy star. Lopez has also spoken warmly about her co-star, recently calling him her favourite rom-com leading man.

Earlier this week, Lopez and Olmos shared an emotional reunion at the Los Angeles premiere of Office Romance. The pair posed together on the red carpet and reminisced about their time making Selena, with Lopez describing the experience as a “full circle” moment.

Olmos later told reporters that reuniting with Lopez felt “very emotional”, adding that the two share a unique understanding after watching each other grow both personally and professionally over the years. He also praised Lopez’s performance in Selena, saying he wished more people had fully appreciated the impact of her work in the film at the time.

Directed by Ol Parker, Office Romance also stars Betty Gilpin, Amy Sedaris, Tony Hale and Bradley Whitford. The Netflix romantic comedy is scheduled to premiere on 5 June.