Exclusive Interview: Tom Welling Talks ‘Mafia Wars’, Collaborating with Scott Windhauser and Cam Gigandet, and More

Tom Welling is a multifaceted creative whose talents continue to soar, much like his iconic portrayal of Superman. In addition to his work in front of the camera, Welling has made his mark as a director and producer, showcasing his versatility and passion for storytelling. Currently starring in Mafia Wars, he brings his signature intensity to the role, proving once again that whether he’s embodying complex characters or shaping stories from behind the lens, Welling remains a true superhero in the world of filmmaking.

In Mafia Wars, Welling plays Terry Jacobs, a recently paroled felon forced to go undercover to take down Griff (Cam Gigandet), the head of Italy’s most notorious mob syndicate.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of chatting with Tom about Mafia Wars, how filming on location in Italy elevated his performance, his collaboration with writer-director Scott Windhauser and co-star Cam Gigandet, the unique joys of indie filmmaking, and more.

PC: You filmed in Rome, a city that feels like a character in its own right. There’s a beautiful metaphor about how the city has endured so much yet continues to prevail, which mirrors your character’s journey in the film. How did shooting on location influence your performance? How is it different from working on a soundstage?
Tom: It’s the best thing you can have, second only to shooting every scene in sequence, which never happens because it’s too expensive. [laughs] But being there, actually being in Rome, made a big difference. Scott [Windhauser], who wrote and directed the film, told me early on, “I’m not making this movie unless we shoot it in Rome. That’s it. We’re not going to Toronto or Montreal and trying to make it look like Rome.” That was important to me, too. It helped me feel more immersed in the character—this fish out of water. He doesn’t belong there and wouldn’t be there if not for these circumstances. I tried to pull from all those little things to bring a sense of intensity to the role.

PC: That authenticity really comes through. You’re incredible in this. What makes Mafia Wars so compelling is the cat-and-mouse game between Terry and Griff. The film wouldn’t work without the believable tension between the two. How did Cam Gigandet’s performance influence your own, and vice versa? What was it like collaborating with him? I don’t think either of you has been better.
Tom: Thank you. First off, I was a fan of Cam’s, so I was a little nervous when we first met. But once we got on set, he was different in every take. We never knew what he was going to do, which made it exciting. I loved how he played the fact that Griff needed Terry, but didn’t quite understand why. Terry had to earn his trust to achieve what he wanted. It felt like I was navigating this unpredictable, psychopath character, knowing that at any moment, he could turn and shoot anyone. It wouldn’t work without Cam bringing what he did to the role.

PC: He’s terrifying in this, in the best possible way. As you mentioned earlier, Scott wrote and directed the film. How does the experience differ when the person who created the characters and universe is also directing? How did you build the trust to take agency over your character?
Tom: That’s a great question. I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a writer-director before, but what I loved about Scott is that he wasn’t too attached to what he wrote. Nothing was so precious that it couldn’t change. If you had an idea or wanted to say, “Can I phrase it this way?” he was like, “No problem.” He had authority over the material but wasn’t possessive about it. I’ve worked with other directors who are stricter about sticking to the script, and that’s fine too. But with Scott, if I felt a line didn’t sit right, I could say, “What if I put it this way?” and he’d be totally cool with it. It created a nice fluidity on set.

PC: Exactly, it helps the character settle within you. During your Smallville days, you also did some directing. Have those experiences influenced how you approach your work on screen as an actor and how you collaborate with different directors?
Tom: Definitely. One of the first questions I ask now when working with someone is, “How do you like to work?” It’s important to find that common ground. Having directed a few episodes has helped me understand why directors ask actors to do things that might not make sense to the character or the actor at first. Sometimes it’s simply because of technical reasons—like the lighting or camera angle—which you’re not always aware of as an actor. I also see acting, directing, writing, and producing as different languages. The more you can speak those languages, the better you can communicate and collaborate. Having directed, I’m more aware of where the camera is and what’s happening technically, which I wouldn’t have been as conscious of before. But when the cameras roll, you have to set that aside and focus on the performance.

To keep up with Tom, follow him on Instagram. Mafia Wars is available wherever you stream movies.