We got a chance to chat with actor Callan McAuliffe to talk about his new film, ‘The Duel,’ a dark comedy starring alongside Dylan Sprouse.
The Plot:
When Woody finds out his best friend has been sleeping with his girlfriend, he challenges him to a duel, taking their friend group across the border to a mysterious and stunning estate.
What inspired you to be an actor? Can you tell us your background and how you developed a passion for acting?
I’d done some minor roles on Australian television to make early pocket money, but had long intended to join the sciences. Fortunately for my middling brain, I took part in an oyster shucking competition during a 2008 family vacation to Nantucket. My manager was in the audience, and – seeing me shuck with such charm – had me audition for Rob Reiner’s Flipped. I’ve since developed an unshakable passion for the industry, but it took some building.
Congratulations on The Duel! It was such a fun, fresh, and unique film. Why did you want to be involved in this project?
At my level, you don’t really get to choose projects; you audition and cross your fingers. As a result, it’s rare that one’s true passions or personality line up with the jobs they book. However, in this case, the script was written by two dear friends of mine. At the time, they were just looking for tonal feedback from a close member of their target demographic, but I loved it so much I could scarcely imagine a future where I wasn’t at least a small part of the end product. Happily they made me one of the leads. I still had to audition, but I doubt mine was the best (though they’ll tell you it was).
Can you walk us through the process of preparing for your role? What were the challenges and breakthroughs you’ve encountered along the way, and how did you overcome it?
The character of Woody is not an especially difficult one, as in many way’s he’s quite like me. The only real challenge I foresaw was working with old friends for the first time. Not all friendships can weather the unique strains of any workplace, let alone a set, but in this case everybody navigated things remarkably well.
Can you tell us more about your character Woody? What do you love about him? How did you bring the character to life? Were there particular circumstances or personal experiences that shaped the character?
Woody is bit of a romantic, and he’s a touch pretentious. I share these traits with him, so internalizing his perspective was easy enough. When his best friend and girlfriend do the unthinkable, it shatters his world, and he falls back on his ideals. I haven’t experienced exactly what Woody has, but we all have our own heartbreaks to draw from, and for me, it was equal parts heart and principle that saw me through.
What did you like about the story? How do you think this story will change and make a positive impact in today’s society?
Woody knows that sometimes “it is what it is” simply doesn’t cut it, and yet – when petty vengeance won’t satisfy – he must invoke history’s most dignified iteration of “toxic masculinity.” We live in an era when so much of what it means to be a man is being called into valid question, and this film is at once a celebration and condemnation of how we conduct ourselves in friendship, and in romance. We probably shouldn’t bring back dueling, but as we reckon with masculinity’s lesser constituents, we must be sure we’re not throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
What was the dynamic like between you, your castmates, and film crew? How did they make you feel? Were there particular moments on set that were memorable?
This cast was such a blast, and we’re now all good friends. No doubt being locked up together in a COVID-bubble was much to blame. We all attended the Sprouse wedding in Hungary, and if another of us should be married anytime soon, the rest will no doubt conspire to ruin that one as well.
As for the crew, I don’t think we could’ve asked for better. The film looks like thrice its budget. I most remember everybody’s patience, professionalism and positivity during a very unusual time for our industry. We were dealing with the height of the pandemic, and nerves were very high. If we’d hired any loose cannons, or anybody less-than-committed, it could’ve jeopardized the whole project.
What kind of films do you like watching? Which films and filmmakers have been the most inspiring or influential to you and why?
It’s the most annoying answer, but I like any film that’s well made. More specifically, my favorite film is The Bounty (1984), though I’ll occasionally say Meet Joe Black under my breath. I’m also very fond of the McDonagh brothers, especially John Michael’s The Guard and Martin’s In Bruges. Luke and Justin will tell you the latter was of sizable influence in the writing of The Duel.
As far as influencing me goes, The Lord of the Rings has had the greatest impact on my life; I hold the books and films in near-biblical regard.
What were the monumental life lessons, mistakes, and things you’ve learned in your career so far that you would like to share to young aspiring or emerging actors, storytellers, and creatives in general?
Lucky break’s aside, this industry is about playing the numbers game. If you’re hell-bent on being an actor, you’ve got to become immune to rejection, and keep rolling the dice until they come up sixes with the full awareness they may never do so. Whenever somebody asks me about pursuing a career in acting, I tell them to always have a backup plan about which they’re equally passionate. Half the time I tell them to avoid it altogether. I don’t think the risk/reward ratio makes sense because the rungs on that ladder are non-transferable; if an aspiring astronaut doesn’t get to space, they’re likely still a pilot or engineer, but if an actor doesn’t book the job, they’re often back at square one. So be wise about it. Oh, and if you’re a drinker, stay off twitter.
How do you stay inspired and motivated during long and demanding projects? How do you keep up with industry trends and continue to learn and grow as an actor?
The long and demanding projects are motivating by nature; the challenge itself is inspiring. As for keeping up with industry trends, I’m not sure I am; I attempted TikTok a few times but it’s quite beyond me. Still, it’s not all bad. The increasing breadth of content and audience preference has timed out perfectly with my inevitable shift from “heartthrob” to “character actor”, so I have that going for me.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the film industry, and where do you see it heading in the next decade? What kind of stories do you think will emerge and capture the attention of producers and executives?
I’ve long been dismayed by Hollywood’s obsession with safe-bets, and the last decade has been rife with them. Recent years have seen some improvement, but flanked by superheroes and lazy remakes, we came danger-close to unlearning what a good film was supposed to be, and teaching an entire generation to expect less. I’m still worried the 2010’s template-tentpoles will prove the training-wheels for lesser A.I. generated content.
True enough, the big conversations at the moment are around artificial intelligence, and the potential for artist obsolescence. If generated content continues to improve, we’ll almost certainly enter a wild-west of visual storytelling, and that could be profoundly beautiful or deeply destructive. Maybe both. I doubt creativity will go out the window or that robots will steal our souls, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the waning primacy of Hollywood evaporate entirely. Home-grown films may prove an even greater shakeup than streaming was, and the fancies of producers and executives – if not eclipsed altogether – will have to transform to capture the attention of audiences who already have it all.
For now though, expect to see a lot more films about the future. I swear, every second script I read is about somebody falling in love with their AI secretary.
What kind of roles do you want to take on in the future?
For goodness sake won’t somebody cast me in a movie set during the age of sail? Filmed on a real ship? Peter Weir I’m looking at you – is that Master and Commander prequel still happening?
What has been the most rewarding moment of your career so far? What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind as a filmmaker?
Working on The Duel was immensely satisfying because I got to see my good friends exercise their passion and creativity. However, I did a movie called Hacker some years back, and because it was directed by the legendary Akan Satayev, we premiered at the Almaty international film festival in Kazakhstan. My time in that country – and especially with its people – will be a cherished memory the rest of my life.
As for legacy, I don’t need much; I just want to make things for the people I like. If I can leave behind a couple of films that my crowd thinks are real bangers – be that through acting, writing or directing – then that’s perfect, but if one of those happens to change the world and get my statue in the town square of a Martian colony, all the better.
Do you have other upcoming projects you want to share with us?
None that I can legally mention yet, however, before The Duel I filmed a remarkable independent movie called About Him and Her, by Ice Mrozek. It follows two disillusioned young adults who fall in love over the phone and eventually decide to meet in person, with one very unusual condition. The way we filmed it was unprecedented (and absurd), and the end result is an extremely special film that nobody knows about. I’m desperate for people to give it a try.
You can find out more about The Duel starring Dylan Sprouse and Callan McAuliffe over on its official website.
