'Lone Survivor' Cast on Pressure of Playing Heroes
Stars Mark Wahlberg, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster, Alexander Ludwig, Eric Bana and Taylor Kitsch are the stars portraying the members of SEAL Team 10 in the upcoming war drama Lone Survivor. The men walked the film's New York City premiere red carpet Tuesday night, and discussed the importance of the movie and the pressure of playing characters based on real people.
The movie, based on a non-fiction book of the same name, tells the tragic story of the ill-fated Operation Red Wings, a covert mission to capture a notorious Taliban leader, carried about by Navy SEALs. The mission turned tragic when their position was compromised and they were attacked by over a hundred Taliban warriors.
Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, played by Mark Wahlberg, was the only one to make it out alive. He was saved by Afghan villagers and harbored until he could be rescued.
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Portraying real soldiers who died for their country, and whose family members will probably see the film, was a daunting obligation and responsibility for many of the actors. But Wahlberg, who also produced SEAL Team 10, said that the movie always had the support of the people whose lives were affected by the events.
"We had such a great team," the 42-year-old actor told ET at the premiere. "We had the support of the US military, we had the support of the SEAL community, and we had a commitment to one another to doing something really special. And it was something that you're very fortunate to be a part of. And we have never been a part of something that was bigger than us or more important than us, so it was a very unique experience."
Alexander Ludwig, who played Navy SEAL Shane Patton, said, "There's a big weight on your shoulders when you're telling a true story. You really want to do it justice, especially one where some of the people didn't come out. And as long as Shane Patton's family is pleased with what I did, and with the movie, than I will have felt that I did my part."
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Emile Hirsch, who plays Navy SEAL Danny Dietz, agreed about the pressure of doing justice to the life of an American war hero.
"It is absolutely intimidating. Especially when you are representing a
real-life Navy SEAL who was killed in action. All of his friends and
family, all of the other SEALS, they are all going to be watching what
you're doing and judging you to that standard. So I was immensely
intimidated by it, but at the same time, all the more motivated to do my
best."
Check out the video for more from the cast of Lone Survivor, including Wahlberg expanding on his comments made earlier this month where he condemned any actor that compares his or her job with the job of a soldier.
Directed by Peter Berg, Lone Survivor hits theaters in limited release on December 27, and opens wide on January 10, 2014.