2018’sInstant Family, which features Mark Wahlberg as its lead, features the popular actor teaming up with Isabela Merced, who was actually inTransformers: The Last Knightwith him.Instantly Familyfollows a married couple (Wahlberg and Rose Byrne)who adopt a teenager named Lizzy (Merced) and her two younger siblings. The earnest family comedy did well upon release and has found renewed life as a hit on Netflix.
The timing ofInstant Familytrending on Netflixis perfect sinceMerced is currently shining as a standout inThe Last of Usseason 2. However, even fans of the comedy film, the hit HBO show, and theTransformersfranchise likely didn’t realize that Merced and Wahlberg had shared the screen before because her appearance in the blockbuster franchise is actually kind of hidden.
Instant Family’s Mark Wahlberg & Isabela Merced Previously Appeared Together In Transformers: The Last Knight
It’s Understandable If You Missed It
The aptly named Izabella is a character inTransformers: The Last Knightwho is played by Isabela Merced, years before her true breakout in Hollywood. Of course, the lead of that film is Mark Wahlberg, who played protagonist Cade Yeager in the fourth and fifth installments of Michael Bay’sTransformersfranchise. The reason this connection between Merced and Wahlberg has gone unnoticed by so many is that she doesn’t go by Isabela Merced in the films.
She ultimately chose to change her stage name to Merced to honor her grandmother and pay homage to her Peruvian roots.
Merced is actually credited as Isabela Monerfor this 2017 film. She is also credited that way for her appearances inSicario: Day of the SoldadoandDora and the Lost City of Gold,as well asInstant Family. A lot of people have likely stumbled uponInstant Familyon Netflix and recognized Merced from her recent projects only for the names to be different. She ultimately chose to change her stage name to Merced to honor her grandmother and pay homage to her Peruvian roots (viaBillboard).
Isabela Merced’s Career Has Grown Massively Since Her Transformers Appearance
Merced Is Now Part Of Some Iconic Franchises
Following the success ofInstant Familyand her leading role inDora and the Lost City of Gold, Isabela Merced started to truly blossom as an actor. She landed a part alongside Jason Momoa in Netflix’sSweet Girl,appeared in 2022’sFather of the Brideremake, and had a role in the unfortunately malignedMadame Webfilm. However, Merced is getting another shot at playing a superhero,appearing as Hawkgirl in the upcomingSupermanmovie andPeacemakerseason 2.
The past few years have been huge for Merced, first with her landing a key role inAlien: Romulus, joining an iconic film franchise. The upcomingSupermanis obviously going to be huge for her butmost people likely recognize Merced as Dina in season 2 ofThe Last of Us,where her performance is consistently being hailed as one of the best aspects of the well-received HBO series. She also had another reunion there, teaming back up withKaitlyn Dever after they worked together inRosalinein 2022.
Mark Wahlberg has been one of the biggest names in Hollywood for a long time and now Isabela Merced is climbing the ladder to huge success as well after appearing in two movies with him. She’s a rising star, making it all the more interesting to go back and watch projects likeInstant FamilyandTransformers: The Last Knight.
Instant Family
Cast
Instant Family is a comedy-drama directed by Sean Anders. The film stars Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne as a couple who decide to adopt three siblings from the foster care system, leading to unexpected challenges and joys.
Transformers: The Last Knight
Transformers: The Last Knight chronicles the war between humans and Transformers, with Optimus Prime missing. An unlikely alliance of Cade Yeager, Bumblebee, an English Lord, and an Oxford Professor must uncover hidden secrets of Earth’s Transformer history to save the future.
