TMP: Before we get into talking about the movie I wanted to ask you a question for the actors in our audience. Can you pinpoint a role that you feel nailed it for you and made you decide that you would be an actor for the rest of your life?
Corey: I would say it was ER. I had a reoccurring role on ER that hit close to home because in it my mother was severely ill in the hospital, they had shot up my house leaving my little sister in critical condition, and my brother was dead. I had to promise my mom at her bedside that I would not get revenge but I had to get revenge for my family. It was the most powerful episode I feel I've ever done and I was like, wow I will be doing this for the rest of my life. It really hits close to home because I lost my mom in high school to Leukemia and my brother was killed three years ago. So when I get stuff that’s close to home I just bring out the truth and the true essence of what has really happened in my life, and portray that on the screen.
TMP: It's always great to see someone who has suffered those tragedies use it as a driving force for their dreams and goals. We know you’ve done several television shows and movies so what are some of the differences in how you prepare for a role in television versus film?
Corey: My prep is about the same but when you are doing TV you only have so much room to work because of the time slot they have, it’s a tight schedule and you have to stick to the script and I do that pretty well. Film is what I gravitate to mostly because you have room to play with your character, you can add to it or take away, you can just bring certain nuances and a depth to it. I feel like I was made to do movies. I heard a saying once that said “movie Stars do movies” and my ultimate goal is to be one of the biggest movie stars in the world. My idol is Will smith and I feel anything is possible and attainable. You have to just block out negativity and live your vision and my vision is to do films on a large scale. In fact I just really want to thank Sony Pictures, Neal Moritz and Original films for hiring me and giving me the chance of a lifetime.
TMP: So on to the movie, can you tell me a little bit about your role in Battle: Los Angeles?
Corey: I play Cpl. Jason Lockett who is a marine of the 2-5 battalion lead by Aaron Eckhart’s character. I'm a marine who is very passionate, intense, and emotional. He is in it for the big fight. He is in it to save the world. He would give an arm for somebody. You are only as good as your last marine and he is the guy that you would want on your side going in to a fight. He is the guy you can count on, he has your back. That’s what I tried to do with this film, with the whole task at hand of saving the world. The mission is LA but there’s a worldwide invasion going on. I can say that this is one of the best films made in the last 20 years. It’s epic and groundbreaking with an amazing story and great Special Effects and CGI. If you are a fan of War of the Worlds, Independence Day, The Hurt Locker, District 9, or Saving Private Ryan you are going to love Battle Los Angeles.
TMP: So how did you prepare yourself for this role?
Corey: I watched a lot of videos, read books on Marines and war vets, and went to boot camp in the middle of the woods in Louisiana. We had real Marine Drill Sergeants training us non-stop and vigorously for three weeks. We slept outside in zip up tents, got up each morning and ran 8 miles, did 400 pushups, and 400 sit ups we did it all, even weaponry training, they trained us like we were going to war. When we started filming we felt like we were going to war. The director Jonathan Liebesman got us prepared, he wanted real marines not actors and I think he made a masterpiece. If it wasn't for him I wouldn’t be talking to you right now.
TMP: There’s a lot of CG work in this film, as actors how do you feel about the challenges this introduces to your performance?
Corey: Well there was CGI but you couldn’t tell the actors that. Everything was real, the roads, the rubble, the tanks, the targets we fired on, and it was all shot on location. It was as real as it gets so you couldn’t tell us there was any CGI, it was shot like a war film first and the rest of the stuff was added in. Hopefully people see that and enjoy it so we can do it again.
TMP: What do you think about the story the movie is based on?
Corey: Well it's interesting. I believe the government knows a lot more about it but it’s interesting that they say the fired thousands of rounds at an air balloon that just flew off. What happened that day is still to be determined but I can tell you that come March 11 you’re in for a great movie full of mystique and mystery.
TMP: You seem genuinely excited about the movie. I think that’s a great sign when an actor is this enthusiastic about a film.
Corey: Oh I am and I hope everyone else is too. I hope they respond to it and go out in droves. It’s everything you hope it’s gonna be. We all put our blood sweat and tears in it. The acting was phenomenal from Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, Adetokumboh M’Cormack, Jim Parrack, Bridgette Moynahan, Will Rothhaar, Neil Brown Jr., Michael Pena, Ramon Rodriguez, Taylor Handley, Joey King, Jadin Gould, Gino Pesci, Bryce Cass - I just don’t want to forget anybody I love them all. Everyone gave their all and did an amazing job. We are still all very close to this day and hopefully you can tell on screen.
TMP: Can you tell us about your next movie The Day? It’s also a war movie right?
Corey: It’s an apocalyptic end of the world film like Book of Eli meets The Road. It’s a masterpiece itself and has a great cast but I can’t get too much into it yet. Just be on the lookout for it as well.
Battle: Los Angeles opens Friday March 11 and as promised, here is the trailer to hold you over until then.
