Answers with Lane Garrison

Answer 1

How did you snag the role of 'Randy' in the much buzzed about feature film, Camp X-Ray, hitting theaters October 17th?

Like most actors, I had to go in the room and win the role. At the time, my character was still a Marine, so I went in dressed to the nines like a hardened Marine, from my hat to my boots. The minute I put the uniform on, I felt like I knew exactly who this man was. I auditioned three times and finally got to audition with Kristen. We had an immediate connection and you could feel the intensity in the room. Inevitably, Kristen and Peter Sattler, the writer/director, chose me.

Answer 2

What can you tell us about your character Randy?

Randy is a man who exudes bravado but really it's just a mask he wears because of the harsh environment he's in. He's a man who tries to bury his feelings and not show emotion, thinking that it would show weakness. Overall, he's a man who is as locked away as the detainees he guards.

Answer 3

Was there anything you did to make your role your own that wasn't originally scripted for you?

Plenty. I'm an actor who works from the outside in. I have to find the characters mannerisms, his walk, his talk...his overall swagger. Outside of shaving my head and putting on 10 lbs. of muscle, I made Randy a good old boy from Texas. I gave him a southern accent which was not originally scripted. In a way, this made him seem more charming than he really is.

Answer 4

The film is based on Camp X-Ray, the temporary holding facility for detainees held at Guantanamo Bay. Being such a sensitive subject matter, how do you think viewers will react?

Well, I've been fortunate enough to see how viewers react, and when the film ends the entire audience is moved to tears. I think more than anything this is a story about human beings on both sides of the fence and it's such a powerful story that I KNOW audiences are going to respond in a positive way when it's all over. It's definitely a film that makes you think when it's over.

Answer 5

What was the most challenging scene for you to film in Camp X-Ray?

There's a scene where I sexually assault Kristen's character, Cole, in the film. Although this sounds like fun, it's always an awkward thing to go to that place in front of a hundred people. You really have to be sensitive and trusting enough with the other person. Luckily for me, Kristen is a pro and we were able to take it to the next level. It's one of my favorite scenes in the movie.

Answer 6

You star opposite Kristen Stewart in Camp X-Ray...a very different role from her former days as a vampire. How was it working with her?

This is hands down the best performance that Kristen has ever given. This will put her in another league. She was amazing to work with and we had such great chemistry. I can't wait to work with her again! She gives everything she has on screen, and I love working with people who care and who are completely invested. People are going to be shocked and impressed by how good she is in this.

Answer 7

"Breaking Bad" fans everywhere are anxiously awaiting the upcoming spin-off, "Better Call Saul," scheduled to premiere on AMC in February 2015. Vince Gilligan set the bar high with "Breaking Bad." Do you think he can pull off another hit series with "Better Call Saul"?

YES! He is one of the best writer/directors in the business. In "Better Caul Saul," he is the mastermind, and he is using his same team from Breaking Bad. Viewers are not going to be disappointed.

Answer 8

We all came to know and love you as an actor when you played David "Tweener" Apolskis in "Prison Break." How did being part of the Golden-Globe nominated television series change your career?

It really was the launching pad for my career. That show had such life and it was really the beginning of the golden era of television. I don't think anyone on set realized how big the show was going to be, not just in the states, but around the world. Every day, I get insane amounts of fan mail from around the globe about "Prison Break." I get recognized for that show no matter where I go. It's a cool feeling to know that you created a character who people responded to.

Answer 9

In 2013, you starred in the Emmy-nominated History/Lifetime/A&E miniseries, "Bonnie & Clyde." Was that a story you were familiar with before you landed the role?

Yes. I grew up in Dallas, Texas, where Bonnie & Clyde were from. My grandfather used to take me to Barrow Filling Station as a kid. The barn behind my elementary school was said to be a Bonnie & Clyde hangout. I've known the story and have been fascinated by it since I was six years old. It was really amazing to get to be a part of it given my history and growing up around the actual places where it all went down.

Answer 10

How's this version of "Bonnie & Clyde" different from the original?

I feel like this version was actually a lot more truthful to the events and to what really happened. It's definitely a darker version than the Beatty film, which was amazing but very tongue and cheek. This version digs into the motivation of Bonnie & Clyde and what led them to be cold blooded killers. A lot was based on Jeff Gunn's book "Go Down Together."