…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
The family adventure comedy Spy Kids was a hugely successful franchise that followed siblings Carmen and Juni Cortez, who become involved in a shady espionage plot after their parents disappear.
With one of the first-ever 3D experiments and some truly cringe-worthy CGI, the franchise spiralled into three original films and two remakes.
The Daily Star has examined how the cast members have transformed since their Spy Kids debut.
Alexa PenaVega – Carmen Cortez
Alexa PenaVega is best known for playing older sister Carmen Cortez in Spy Kids.
Since then, she has starred in various Hallmark movies and even in a slew of Christian flicks.
PenaVega is a devout Christian who has come under fire for her pro-life views.
She also talked a teenage mom out of having an abortion.
Despite divorcing her first husband in 2010, Alexa went on to marry Big Time Rush star Carlos Pena Jr. The couple has three children.
Daryl Sabara – Juni Cortez
Daryl Sabara played wart-ridden Juni in the Spy Kids franchise.
He has gone on to act in numerous shows such as House, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Halloween.
He is now in a relationship with pop princess Meghan Trainor.
The couple married two years after they started dating, on Meghan’s 25th birthday.
In 2021, they welcomed their first child together, a son called Riley.
He was also charged with a count of vandalism and one count of tampering with a vehicle in 2019.
Carla Gugino – Ingrid Cortez
Carla Gugino played the kids’ mom Ingrid Cortez in Spy Kids.
She has had various major roles since then, appearing in Watchmen, Sucker Punch, and horror flick Gerald’s Game.
She has been romantically involved with her Jett colleague Sebastian Gutierrez since the 90s.
Antonio Banderas – Gregorio Cortez
Antonio Banderas played Gregorio Cortez, the father of Carmen and Juni in Spy Kids.
He is probably best known for his voice role in Puss In Boots from the Shrek franchise.
Despite his split from Melanie Griffith in 2015, he gained one very famous step-daughter – Fifty Shades of Grey star Dakota Johnson.
In 2017, he suffered a heart attack, which he credits his partner Nicole Kimpel with saving his life after she gave him an aspirin.