Interview with Walking Dead actor Callan McAuliffe for his new movie The Duel

Callan McAuliffe is well known for his role as Alden in The Walking Dead series. He has also starred in many other great titles, including Him and Her, The Great Gatsby, and more. Next up, McAuliffe will star alongside Dylan Sprouse in The Duel, a comedy feature that shows both the price of betrayal and the power of friendship. McAuliffe recently took time away from his busy schedule to sit with Undead Walking and chat about the new film.

The Duel is the directorial debut of Justin Matthews (The Morning Show) and Luke Spencer Roberts (Upgraded), who also wrote the film and are friends of McAuliffe's. When they shared the screenplay with him, he knew he had to be a part of this movie.

The story follows Woody (McAuliffe), who, after discovering that his best friend Colin (Sprouse) has been sleeping with his girlfriend, challenges him to "that sacred game of atonement," a gentleman's duel to the death.

Undead Walking: How did you come about the role of Woody in The Duel?

Callan McAuliffe:

"Initially, they just sent it to me. Because I was a close friend of Luke and Justin for many years prior, I suppose I was something like the target demographic. They wanted to see what I would think of it. I fell in love with it immediately, and I was near enough, at least as near as dignity would allow, to beg to be a part of the movie. They gave me an audition, and happily, they thought it was solid enough to warrant making me one of their co-leads. So, you know, it was a dream come true. I was delighted to be working with friends. You know, it's not often that your prior pals will be able to bring to bear a movie of this quality and a feature no less, and to be able to do that with people that I love dearly is a joy. Then, obviously, I made so many friends on the project itself. So it's it's been a boon all around."

UW: What can you tell us about Woody?

McAuliffe:

"The title of the movie is not an inaccurate one. It is the thematic center of the film. It's a film about these two long-term best friends and their group, which is shattered by, you know, something that my best buddy does to me. Obviously, he sleeps with my girlfriend. I'm none too pleased about that. I burn his dead dad’s surfboard and he's none too pleased about that. And then, as the tagline says, modern problems sometimes require historic solutions, when therapy doesn't answer. My character is a little pretentious and a bit of a history history buff. And you know when shit hits the fan he falls back on his ideals. I can imagine myself doing something similar and in the heat of it. Yeah, that's the gist of it. Woody and I are fairly similar in some ways so this wasn't, a particularly challenging role for me. Like I said, because I love the the writer/directors already and the material was right up my alley it's a great role. I guess it's a bit of a celebration of and condemnation of masculinity in all of its shades, toxic and otherwise. I feel like that's a pretty timely exploration."

UW: Did you get to explore the historical aspects of dueling to prepare for the role?

McAuliffe:

" There's a great many references in the script itself and then some direct references in the movie as well. The the most significant of those being the presence of these two flintlock pistols and obviously won't tell you what happens with them, but you can see them in the trailer and they were gorgeous. I'd always wanted to hold one and use one and we got to practice firing them, and obviously we were using blanks and fake powder. But it was, it's still good to see the smoke come out of the end of it and to be able to stand there in the dueling position. It's a long, long time fantasy of mine. With history, I mean, both director writers are very historically knowledgeable, and I've I've learned so much from them throughout our friendship. And I feel like that's manifested in the in the picture itself."

UW: The period costumes featured in the trailer are amazing and look so fun.

McAuliffe:

"Oh yeah, the dueling attire isn't it gorgeous? I was doing pirouettes all day when I was wearing that. "

UW: Did you know Dylan Sprouse before this movie?

McAuliffe:

I'd meet him once or twice as he and Luke (the director) had worked together on a charming movie called Banana Split some years ago, which is worth the watch. So, I had met him once or twice. This movie was really the first time getting to know him. We were locked in a house together for the COVID bubble situation and we became pretty fast friends. Yeah, that was a real joy. And he and I have since become very good friends. I went to his and Bab's (Barbara Palvin) wedding, like a lot of the cast members did. So, when one of us happens to get married I am sure he will come to ours and ruin that like we did his.

UW: I was excited to see Patrick Warburton was cast for this film, I have loved him since Seinfeld. Is His character an eccentric antique owner or something?

McAuliffe:

Yeah, you can call him eccentric, another history nerd taken to the extreme. Patrick was such a joy to have on set. I feel he really helped influence and set the tone in moments of uncertainty for a lot of us. Having someone like him, who is such a powerhouse, as a fulcrum which to swing, in the way we carried oursevles, professionally and on the set, as well as tonally in the performance. It was wonderful to have an anchor like him, and he is obviously just a delight to work with. His character effectively facilitates the whole thing [the duel]; he's got the guns and knows people. He's kind of what we find to pull the whole absurdity.

UW: On July 31, The Duel will be featured in a one-night-only wide theatrical release. What's the idea behind this type of release?

McAuliffe:

You know, cleverer heads than mine that are involved with the planning of that. I know that it's doing quite a remarkably wide release for that one night for a film of its size; pretty much anyone can go see it if they're free that night. And then I believe we will be aiming to have a more limited release thereafter and then theatrically still. There'll be very likely some online availability. I really recommend people go set it on the 31st, if they can spare the time. It obviously helps us out, but you're supporting independent filmmaking, generally showing the industry it can work.

In parting McAuliffe shared these thoughts about The Duel:

"I will say it's probably my favorite project that I've ever done and again should be no surprise given how close I am to the people who conceived it. I really think it is the beginning of a remarkable journey, especially for Luke and Justin, as it was the first time directing for the both of them. You would never know as the film looks twice its budget. I really just want everyone to go see it as it's pretty rare that personalities and passions line up with the project. It's a real gem and it's made by, you know, fresh legs. "

The Duel cast:

• Dylan Sprouse (Beautiful Disaster)
• Callan McAuliffe (The Walking Dead)
• Patrick Warburton (A Series of Unfortunate Events)
• Denny Love (Looking for Alaska)
• Hart Denton (Riverdale)
• Rachel Matthews (Upgraded)
• Maria Gabriela de Faria ( upcoming Superman)
• Christian McGaffney (Simon)
• Ronald Guttman (Broadway's Patriots)

When asked about other projects he would love for his fans to know about, McAuliffe told us about the movie Him and Her. Available on Prime Video, it also stars Cristina Spruell in a story about two strangers who meet when phone lines are crossed, an event that took place during the 80s and 90s with landline phones, and they connect via phone conversations.

We will discuss this more in part 2 of our interview with Callan McAuliffe.

I want to thank Callan and his team for arranging this interview, it is always nice to chat with the actors and get personal insight to their new projects.