Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Danger Close’s Daniel Webber

Throughout his career, talented actor Daniel Webber has proven he’s one of Hollywood’s most versatile young actors. From playing the frontman of the legendary rock band Mötley Crüe to the American Marxist who assassinated John F. Kennedy, Daniel has shown he has the ability to embody any character. Next, he’ll be seen starring in the Australian war drama Danger Close, playing Private Paul Large, one of the 108 Australian and New Zealand soldiers who overcame impossible odds at the Battle of Long Tan in 1966. Pop Culturalist caught up with Daniel to chat all things Danger Close.

PC: How did you get involved with Danger Close? What attracted you to this project?
Daniel: I heard about the film about ten years ago when I was first starting out in Australia. I was aware of it for a long time. Back then, Bruce Beresford was directing, and Hugh Jackman was attached. It was a film that was very much in my mind. It went away for many years and eventually came back. Kriv Stenders was now the director, and I worked with him in the past. I ended up getting offered the role.

I really enjoyed the story and was excited about the opportunity to go back home to Australia. I’ve been living in America for four years. To have the opportunity to go home and tell a part of Australian history was a privilege. I don’t think a lot of us grew up in Australia knew about the battle, which is quite strange, since people in the army were brought up on this story. It’s a story of heroism.

PC: Is there a different weight to a project like this where you’re portraying an actual veteran and again to your point, you’re bringing light to a battle that many are unaware of?
Daniel: Definitely! You go into a project like this and you want to make it as authentic as possible. We had a bootcamp for a week, which helped all of us soldiers get together, train, and build that camaraderie and mateship, which is a theme in the film and in the Australian/New Zealand army. They’re known for that. It’s a theme that’s pervaded throughout history in pop culture but also historically in the soldiers.

Everybody was incredibly proud telling this story. Again, we wanted to make it authentic. We wanted to be as honest as possible to the men whose stories we were telling. I’m sure it’s the same for any nonfiction story, but you feel the added responsibility.

PC: Private Paul Large represents the experiences shared by many Australian soldiers. How did you prepare to tackle his journey throughout the story?
Daniel: I was able to get a bunch of letters that he sent back to his family and vice versa. That was a huge insight into his sense of humor, point of view on the war, and what he thought about certain incidents. It really characterized him.

PC: One of the major themes in the film is brotherhood, which comes across among the ensemble. How did you and the rest of that cast build that bond?
Daniel: We were all staying in the same hotel. After a day of filming, we would go out, have a drink, and get to know each other. We bonded that way. We also had guys who are in the RAR [Royal Australian Regiment] now come out for drinks. We got to hear stories from the boys who are still serving and are still part of this history.

It was a very light, very fun set. There are a lot of talented young actors in this film. It made it a very easy job. I’ve known a few of these guys throughout the years, so we already had that camaraderie. But we also had new people, but it happened very organically.

PC: With the film out now, what do you hope audiences takeaway?
Daniel: I’m happy to bring light and awareness to this battle. It’s been an honor to play these young men, who were only nineteen or twenty at the time that they went to fight this crazy battle. Some of them are still around today. If we can pay homage to them, I think we’ve done our jobs well.

To keep up with Daniel, follow him on Instagram. Catch Danger Close in theaters and on VOD today.