If you grew up in the mid-2000s, you probably spent a significant amount of time wondering how to get your hair that specific shade of neon pink without your parents losing their minds. For most of us, who plays as Lavagirl isn't just a trivia question; it’s a nostalgic deep-dive into the CGI-heavy, fever-dream world of Planet Drool.
The actress behind the iconic suit is Taylor Dooley.
She first stepped into those glowing boots in 2005 for The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D. At the time, she was just 12 years old. It’s wild to think about, but she actually landed the role after Taylor Lautner (Sharkboy) and Cayden Boyd (Max) were already cast. Fun fact: she almost didn't get the part. Rumor has it that a young Miley Cyrus actually auditioned for the role too, but had to back out because she’d just started production on some little show called Hannah Montana.
The Girl Who Became an Icon (Then Disappeared)
After the 2005 film became a cult classic—mostly thanks to its questionable 3-D effects and that "Dream, Dream, Dream" song—people expected Taylor Dooley to become the next big thing.
She didn't.
Honestly, she kinda vanished from the spotlight for a while. It wasn't because she hated acting, though. In later interviews, she mentioned that a massive growth spurt made her "difficult" to cast for her age group. Her parents also wanted her to have a somewhat "normal" childhood, so she pivoted. She went to college, studied psychology at California State University Northridge, got married, and had kids.
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She lived a regular life while an entire generation of kids continued to watch her fight Mr. Electric on DVD and streaming services.
Why the 2020 Comeback Was Such a Big Deal
Fast forward fifteen years. Netflix announces We Can Be Heroes, a spiritual successor set in the same universe. The internet basically imploded when the trailer dropped.
Taylor Dooley was back.
Seeing her as an adult Lavagirl was a massive "full circle" moment for fans. She was 27 when she filmed it, playing a "super-mom" to a daughter named Guppy. Robert Rodriguez, the director, reached out to her personally, and she has described the experience as a "beautiful whirlwind."
"Meeting Lavagirl again after 15 years was a dream come true," Dooley told Sweety High in a 2020 interview. "It felt like a blessing."
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Wait, What Happened to Sharkboy?
This is where things get a bit messy. While Taylor Dooley returned to play Lavagirl, her original co-star, Taylor Lautner, did not come back as Sharkboy.
Instead, Sharkboy was played by JJ Dashnaw.
If you're a fan of Robert Rodriguez movies, you've seen Dashnaw before. He’s a legendary stunt coordinator who has worked on everything from Spy Kids to Sin City. Because Sharkboy was a non-speaking role in We Can Be Heroes (he spent the whole time behind a mask), the production opted for a stunt professional rather than the Twilight star.
Fans were pretty salty about it. Social media was flooded with "Where is the real Sharkboy?" posts. But for who plays as Lavagirl, there was zero controversy because Dooley was the real deal. She even worked with the original costume designer to update the suit for her adult self.
How Taylor Dooley Prepared for the Return
Stepping back into a role you played at 12 when you're nearly 30 is weird.
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Dooley has talked about how she actually used her real-life experience as a mother to inform the older version of the character. In the original movie, Lavagirl was impulsive and struggling with her identity. In the sequel, she’s the grounding force.
- The Pink Hair: It’s still there, obviously.
- The Suit: Upgraded from "green box with handles" to high-tech Netflix budget materials.
- The Vibe: Definitely more "mom friend" than "fiery pre-teen."
It's actually pretty cool that Rodriguez kept the "family environment" on set. Many of the crew members who worked on the 2005 original were back for the sequel. Dooley mentioned that seeing the new kids on set reliving her memories—getting excited about stunts and green screens—was one of the most nostalgic parts of the whole process.
Where is Taylor Dooley Now?
Since her return in We Can Be Heroes, Taylor Dooley has expressed a serious interest in staying in the industry. She took those years off for school and family, but she's basically told everyone she's "here to stay" now.
If you're looking to follow her journey or keep up with potential sequels (there have been persistent rumors about We Can Be Heroes 2), here’s what you should do:
1. Check out her social media. She is fairly active on Instagram and often shares behind-the-scenes stories about her time as Lavagirl.
2. Rewatch the original. Seriously, go back and watch the 2005 version. It’s a masterclass in mid-2000s "everything-is-possible" filmmaking.
3. Look for her in indie projects. Now that she’s back in the acting world, she’s been popping up in smaller roles as she rebuilds her portfolio.
Understanding who plays as Lavagirl is about more than just a name. It’s about an actress who grew up with her audience, took a break when she needed to, and came back exactly when the world needed a bit of nostalgia.
If you want to dive deeper into the Sharkboy and Lavagirl lore, start by looking into Robert Rodriguez's "Troublemaker Studios"—the place where all this green-screen magic actually happens. It gives you a lot of context for why the movies look the way they do.