Kevin Zegers on FIFTY DEAD MEN WALKING (w/special movie castaway!)

OWF's Mike Edwards caught up with Kevin Zegers last week to talk about his new movie Fifty Dead Men Walking, his influences and even a special, brief Movie Castaway! Q. How much did you know about the situation is Northern Ireland before you got involved with this project, and did you do much research into the IRA?

I grew up in Canada and therefore learned a lot about world history growing up. I knew the basic about the "troubles" yet tried to go to Belfast with a very open mind. Once I arrived in Belfast, I threw myself into the culture and did a lot of research with Jim, about Northern Ireland and the IRA. I was determined to blend in with the locals and try to master the accent.

Q. How do you go about preparing for the role?

I spent most of my time in Belfast with Jim in the pubs. Talking to the locals, taking it all in, listening. That was the key, just listening to the stories and trying to develop a character based on that.

Q. This is a very different role to your previous films, how big a challenge was making Fifty Dead Men Walking?

It was a huge challenge but also very exciting. I relish the idea of being given the opportunity to play a character so different from anything I've done. I was more focused on doing this character justice than anything else I've ever done.

Q. Have you changed at all as a result of the role?

Absolutely. Spending a few months in Belfast and experiencing the things I did will stay with me for the rest of my life. Never again will I prejudge or have an opinion about something before I am totally informed. It was also a time in my life where I was changing personally and Belfast provided me a venue to make some changes in my life and begin the transformation into the man I hope to become.

Q. What was the most moving scene to shoot during filming?

I would have to say the scene near the end when my character confronts Jim€™s character for the last time. Playing that scene without being overly sentimental was very important to both of us. It was also near the end of filming and was the conclusion of the entire experience for me which hopefully came through in the performance.

Q. What did you think of Ireland?

I adore Ireland and the people of Belfast. Unless you've been it's hard to describe but the pulse of Belfast is something that is palpable. The people are honest and raw and very similar to the kind of people I grew up with in Canada. It became like a home for all of us while filming and the experience honestly couldn't have been better or more life changing.

Q. Has the film made you yearn for more action-packed roles?

Sure. I'm interested in exploring all aspects of my job. As long as smart, interested people are making the film, I'm in. I yearn mostly for an experience that will give the audience a true emotional reaction. Which I think this film did.

Q. If you could be in any film, (past, present or future) what would it be?

Cool Hand Luke. My favorite film and also one of the greatest performances I've ever seen. My goal is to one day be able to commit and execute a performance as perfectly as Paul Newman did in that film.

Q. Who would be your dream director to work with?

Other than Kari Skogland, ummmmmm, Darren Aronofsky.

Q. If you were stuck on a desert island and could only choose 5 DVDs to watch, what films would they be?

Cool Hand Luke, Barfly, Forrest Gump, Streetcar Named Desire, Se7en.