DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
TNA Fan World
HTML https://tnafans.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: IMPACT WRESTLING
*****************************************************
#Post#: 33235--------------------------------------------------
Chat with former TNA Star Gunner: Talks Movie, WWE & More
By: ChrissiCalvert Date: October 5, 2015, 4:51 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
With a pro wrestling name like Gunner, it’s not hard to picture
Chad Lail in a movie titled Navy SEALs vs. Zombies.
The former TNA Impact Wrestling star plays Carl in the action
horror thriller, out Tuesday, Oct. 6 on Blu-ray, DVD and On
Demand. In Navy SEALs vs. Zombies, the SEALs go in for a rescue
mission to save the vice president after the U.S. government
loses contact with him. When they arrive, they find out their
enemy is of the flesh eating, undead variety.
“When I got the audition call as soon as I read the lines, I
understood who this Carl was,” Lail said. “He is really me in a
way. Carl is a bad ass, but he has this soft side. I think I
bring that out in the movie. Carl is a serious type, but there
is a joking side. He has some character and actually cares about
his guys. You find out Carl isn’t this jerk Navy SEAL. Carl is
not just hard all the time. There is more to him.”
Playing military wasn’t much of a stretch for Lail, either,
considering he served in the Marine Corps including deployments
around the world, including the Middle East and throughout
Europe. as part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit. The North
Carolinian refers to enlisting as the best life decision he ever
made.
“Marine Corps boot camp wasn’t easy, but I graduated with honors
and reached sergeant within four years,” he said. “It’s really
something I take pride in, serving my country and being a
marine. Joining the military isn’t easy, no matter what branch
you decide to go into. This is just another chapter in my life
that I conquered. It taught me about drive and going out there
to achieve my goals.”
Lail’s aspirations to become a professional wrestler were
eventually realized. He received his big break five years ago
when he joined TNA. The company was supportive when the
performer landed the part in the movie and needed three to four
weeks off to shoot.
Even though he is no longer with TNA, Gunner appreciated the
fact the league encouraged their guys and girls pursuing outside
projects. When Lail decided he also wanted to pursue acting, he
began working with Judd Lormand, who has helped him hone the
craft (Lormand also has a part in the zombie film). Similar to
how he started in TNA, the budding actor auditioned for bit
parts like a security guard. Navy SEALs vs. Zombies is his
feature debut.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity for me,’ Lail said. “In pro
wrestling, you kind of go from wrestling in front of a hundred
people in an armory to 8,000 people on TV and being thrown into
the fire where it was sink or swim. Everyone on set was super
awesome. Wrestling is a little different than acting because in
wrestling you are in front of a bigger audience … Everyone was
really cool. It was an awesome set to be on. Everyone was
helpful. I think I did pretty decent for my first role. So we’ll
see how it looks.”
The cast also includes Rick Fox (former NBA player, Dope, One
Tree Hill, Sharknado 3), Michael Dudikoff (American Ninja
series, Olympus Has Fallen), Molly Hagan (iZombie, Election,
Some Kind of Wonderful, Instant Mom), Ed Quinn (Revenge,
Mistresses, True Blood), Olympian LoLo Jones and real Navy
SEALs. Stanton Barrett (NASCAR driver and Hollywood stuntman) in
his directorial debut. Lail says he felt a bond among the cast
and crew.
“As soon as we got together, we went out,” Lail said. “It was
just like five brothers. That was a really cool part — for me to
be able to connect with these guys. Not only with the military,
but all of them liked wrestling, too.”
“But the military background definitely made things easier as
far as carrying a weapon,” Lail continued. “You see movies
sometimes where military actors are carrying weapons [in a way]
that doesn’t look right. There is a certain way Navy SEALS and
Marines carry whatever weapon you’re carrying. You want to make
it believable. Really what made it easier with military
experience is the day we got on set on Baton Rouge, we had a day
of wardrobe. Then we had a day where we all got together and
talked. As soon as the five or so of us — the main actors — got
together you’d think we knew each other for 15 years. We all got
along. I think that made it so much better. I’ve heard it before
that sometimes actors on movie sets may not get along. Then it’s
a long drawn out process.”
Even though Lail had such a positive experience and is lining up
other projects, that doesn’t mean the 33-year-old is retiring
from the squared circle just yet. After almost 15 years in the
industry the drive to compete remains.
“Wrestling is my number one love since I was a kid,” he said.
“It’s what I always wanted to do. Ever since I was five I
dreamed for that WrestleMania moment or wrestling some of the
top guys on Monday nights. I definitely want to pursue WWE.
There are some talks going on. I hope it comes to pass, so we’ll
see. When it comes to the independent scene, it’s been awesome.
That is where I came from.
“I started in 2001 and wrestled even while in the Marine Corps
when I wasn’t deployed. The scene is so huge now with good
independent products out there. There are so many good ones in
the Carolinas, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas and even the
United Kingdom. It’s kind of like territories now. Years ago
when I started there were small shows here and there, but it’s
now a booming business. When you watch the NXT product they are
bringing in so many guys to do matches and shows. It shows there
is a lot of good talent out there. I love it. I have a great
time. It’s a chance to work out there and tell a story in the
ring.”
Given the track record of successful horror and action
franchises, is there a potential for a Navy SEALS vs. Zombies
sequel?
“I hope so,” Lail said. “I think there could be two. They always
leave the door open. The main actors, we are foaming at the
mouth to do another film together. We had too much fun. It was
like a fraternity for us.”
*****************************************************