JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL
How Warfare Filming Pushed Joseph Quinn and Charles Melton to Their Limits: ‘It Was Like Living the Story’
Joseph Quinn and Charles Melton reflect on the intense emotional and physical toll of Warfare and how honoring real Navy SEALs made it a unique experience.
For Warfare stars Joseph Quinn and Charles Melton, bringing the true story of a 2006 Navy SEAL evacuation mission to life wasn’t just another acting job—it was total immersion. Co-directed by Ray Mendoza, a retired SEAL, and filmmaker Alex Garland, Warfare tasked its cast with recreating a life-or-death rescue operation in Ramadi, Iraq, blending authentic memories with intense physicality. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Quinn and Melton reflect on the transformative filming experience, their bond with the real veterans, and the emotional weight of the story they helped tell.
The journey of Warfare began when Mendoza, after advising on Garland’s Civil War, shared the harrowing story of his fellow SEAL, Elliott Miller, and their platoon’s 2006 mission. Garland was so moved he decided to make it the focus of his next film, with Mendoza stepping in as co-director.
Onscreen, Joseph Quinn plays Sam, a character based on a real SEAL, while Cosmo Jarvis portrays Elliott Miller. The production's commitment to realism was intense: a three-week boot camp for the cast, daily training, and living conditions that mirrored military life. “We lived together, we trained together, we ate together, we slept near each other,” Quinn shared, emphasizing how this closeness was crucial for portraying brotherhood onscreen.
Melton, whose father served in the Army for over two decades, found personal resonance in the story. "My family now understands my father a little bit more because of what they got to see in Warfare," he said, underscoring how art can bridge the emotional gaps between soldiers and their loved ones.
The emotional toll was real. Quinn and Jarvis spent days howling in agony, reliving scenes of battle trauma with unflinching intensity. "They did it not just when the camera was on them. They did it during every single take for days and days," Melton noted, calling it "something indescribable."
Adding to the authenticity, several SEALs, including Miller, visited the London set, providing firsthand accounts and emotional guidance. Mendoza referred to the Ramadi mission as "the death of his youth," and the veterans’ presence helped the actors internalize the gravity of the story they were telling.
As co-directors, Mendoza and Garland shared a mutual commitment to authenticity, ensuring every frame honored the memories of those who lived it. “It was a beautiful dance,” Melton recalled of their partnership on set.
For Quinn and Melton, Warfare was more than just a film; it was a transformative experience that brought them closer to understanding the sacrifices of servicemen and women. With its April 11 theatrical release.
ALSO READ: BLACKPINK's Jennie returns from death to haunt Charles Melton in 'Love Hangover' music video
Latest Articles
