Date of publishing: 11th
January 2011
Rising star Cory Hardrict can next be seen in a lead
role in the highly anticipated big budget sci-fi,
action thriller, Battle Los Angeles for Sony pictures.
The film also stars Michelle Rodriguez, NeYo, and
Aaron Eckhart. The movie is about a Marine platoon
that faces off against an alien invasion in Los Angeles.
In the film, Cory plays “Corporal Lockett”
a Marine soldier who is very intense and passionate
about the Core and will defend it and Los Angeles
with his life! The film is directed by Jonathan Liebesman
and will be released nationwide on March 11, 2011.
In addition to Battle Los Angeles, Cory just wrapped
a lead role in director Doug Aarniokoski's independent
thriller entitled The Day, a new indie action thriller
described as an apocalyptic siege warfare film. Aarniokoski,
a Robert Rodriguez protégé is best known
for his second unit director work on such films Takers,
and Resident Evil: Extinction. The film is rounded
out by an all-star cast that includes Shawn Ashmore
(X-Men), Ashley Bell (The Last Exorcism), Dominic
Monaghan (Lord of the Rings, "Lost") and
Shannyn Sossamon (Catacombs, One Missed Call)!
Check out the trailer for Battle: Los Angeles here
Gilles Nuytens: So,
could you introduce yourself to those who doesn't
know (yet) about you? Tell us something about what
drives you in life as well as in your job, something
that isn't in your bio. Who are you inside, the man
behind the actor?
Cory Hardrict: My name is Cory Hardrict
and I have no fear! What drives me in life is I want
my life to mean something, wanna make others lives
better thru me, want to inspire the youth that your
dreams can come true because I come from nothing and
I'm still here thank god! I'm a man first god fearing
man who believes all things are possible just never
give up!
Gilles
Nuytens: Why did
you choose to be an actor? I understand it was after
some great experience as a boy on a few sets, however
not everyone wants to start a career even if the experience
was wonderful. Some only keep this as a dream and
doesn't go further. So why acting and not for example
being a chef or... gardener or anything else? And
by the way, how did you land into this first TV movie?
Cory Hardrict: I choose to be an
actor because my mother wanted me to try out for a
film to be an extra. That was 16 yrs ago. She’s
now in heaven smiling down because she lives through
me, just keeping the dream alive! I grew up wanting
to go to the NBA because I was a baller with skills
but I hurt my knee and the love bug of acting hit
me!
Gilles Nuytens: Maybe
a little similar question, every actor has a reason
to play, it can be just the love of acting, the love
of being on a set, the need to be recognized, to hide
or work on a lack of trust in themselves, to be a
movie star, for money, etc... what is yours?
Cory Hardrict: To touch peoples lives!
I don't do it for attention; it's all about getting
the job done! I'm a silent ninja! lol
Gilles Nuytens: Are
you happy with what you've accomplished so far?
Cory Hardrict: I'm very happy and
it feels like I'm just getting started. I'm so thankful!
Gilles Nuytens: I
see you've quite a huge list of guest star roles on
many TV shows, do you have a favorite one, which ones
were the best for you and why?
Cory Hardrict: I played a guest star
on ER. I had to breakdown and it hit close to home
because my mother was on her hospital bed. I lived
that same experience with my mother in real life,
it just took me there emotionally and felt so real
to me, so by far that ER episode!
Gilles Nuytens: If
you had to choose between shooting a very good movie
for free or to shoot a bad one for money, would that
be a very hard choice and what would you choose?
Cory Hardrict: Very good movie for
free, a no brainer. Haha!
Gilles Nuytens: Now,
if you were proposed a very good role, but if you
had to play a character that you would really really
hate, would that be a problem for you?
Cory Hardrict: No, because I would
prepare myself as that character to hate it and really
hate everything about my role then bring it to life
and stay in the moment!
Gilles Nuytens: On
the sets, between takes, are you the kind of person
to concentrate very much on your next part, or then
to relax and have fun to empty your head?
Cory Hardrict: Well, on sets I have
never been in the situation of walking into another
role. Hopefully one day I can tell you about that
experience. Lol!
Gilles
Nuytens: Being in
front of the camera can be sometimes stressful, especially
when you have to play a difficult scene. How do you
manage your stress?
Cory Hardrict: I use everything I'm
going through and pour it all into my character, no
stress at all its fun going there! I luv it!
Gilles Nuytens: I've
seen the trailers to Battle: Los Angeles... AWESOME!
Looks like a future blockbuster! How was your experience
shooting this movie?
Cory Hardrict: It was amazing! Much
love to Columbia/Sony, Neal Moritz, the whole orginal
films team, and the great Jonathan Liebesman (the
director) for believing in me. This movie was the
real deal. It felt like I went to war. It was really
the hardest acting job I've ever been apart of and
loved every minute of it. It's what you dream of doing
as an actor as far as movie roles are concerned. If
you put Call of Duty; Black Ops, Resistance, District
9 and Black Hawk Down in a pot you come up with BATTLE
LOS ANGELES!
Gilles Nuytens: There
have been so many alien invasion movies, shows, books,
etc. My first question is: what does Battle Los Angeles
brings to the genre? What do you think is unique about
it? What makes the movie not just another invasion
movie with spectacular special effects?
Cory Hardrict: It’s a war movie
first. It's based off true events, its concept is
original and it has an amazing story. It's not just
a special effects movie. I mean its door to door combat
at its finest. But it’s REAL in every aspect
and you will believe everything about what's happening
when you see it March 11th 2011!
Gilles Nuytens: My
second question is why do you think dangerous aliens
fascinate so much people?
Cory Hardrict: Because with all the
sightings throughout the years people are believing
more and more that something is out there and the
government is hiding it. People are smart, the signs
are here and I think people are intrigued with that
and wanna see more. Hey, be careful what you ask for....stay
tuned!
Gilles Nuytens: Let's
speak about your character, Corporal Lockett, he is
described as being "very intense and passionate
about the Core". Can you tell us some more?
Cory Hardrict: He is all those things
indeed, but he's also a warrior and would die for
his fellow core members. He’s really hurting
inside from all the pain thats been endured in his
lifetime experiences and just wants to be accepted!
Gilles Nuytens: So,
this seems to be a story of survival, a story of soldiers
during war. What will you remember/keep from it? Do
you now see soldiers from another point of view?
Cory Hardrict: You’re as good
as your fellow Marine. No one man is ahead of the
core. I have the upmost admiration and respect for
the man and women who have given their lives to defend
our country! Hoorraaaa!
Gilles Nuytens: Can
I say this is (on a big scale) some kind of a reflection
(with both meanings: a "thought" about it
and "being a mirror") about the recent world
conflicts USA took part during the last years (Iraq,
Afghanistan)?
Cory Hardrict: It’s on a super
big scale and all I can say is I'm very proud of my
country. I'm all about unity and peace. One world,
One love, yes we can!
Gilles Nuytens: Can
you say something about the director? What kind of
person is he, was it easy to work with him?
Cory Hardrict: Jonathan Liebesman
was cool to work with. He knows what he wants and
gets it done. I can say he brought out the best in
me. I trust his vision and can't wait to do it again!
He's the hardest working director in Hollywood with
a crazy fun sense of humor!
Gilles Nuytens: And
about directors in general, each one has its own method,
do you adapt yourself easily to everyone?
Cory Hardrict: I just adapt to the
director because they are all different but work towards
the same goal; telling a story with hopefully a great
outcome with the finished product!
Gilles Nuytens: You've
recently been part of a movie called The day, it's
described as "an apocalyptic siege warfare film",
can you tell us a little more about this and your
character?
Cory Hardrict: The Day will give
you the chills, trust me! It is an awesome movie!
I play Henson. I lost 20 pounds for the role. I had
pneumonia and was deathly sick fighting for my life
in the last days! Stay tuned! Haha!
Gilles Nuytens: Your
dream role?
Cory Hardrict: The Phoenix! Coming
soon!
Gilles Nuytens: A
free question for you, ask yourself something about
a subject or anything you'd like to tell and share...
something exclusive :)
Cory Hardrict: Do you play sports?
Yes, I like to get my basketball. I play in the ELeague
in Santa Monica on my Sundays and it’s awesome!
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