Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Call of Duty’s Chad Michael Collins

Chad Michael Collins’ versatility can best be described as game-changing. From playing a Gunnery Sgt. in the Sniper franchise to starring in romantic comedies like Christmas Cupid’s Arrow and Love’s Christmas Journey, the gifted actor has proven his talent knows no bounds. This October, he’s answering the call of duty, stepping into the role of Alex in Activision’s latest installment of the popular first-person-shooter Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Pop Culturalist caught up with Chad to learn more about joining this legendary gaming franchise.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

PC: We heard that when you got the Call of Duty audition, you didn’t know what the project was. What was your reaction when you learned it was this legendary franchise? Did it change your preparation?
Chad: Yeah, there was so much secrecy surrounding this project. We had to sign NDAs right off the bat without knowing what the project was. I was able to put some clues together, but we didn’t get confirmation until we started shooting. But I was very excited. I played a lot of the Call of Duties back in the day. Once I learned it was Modern Warfare, I was super excited! It was a blast and perfect for the stuff that I love to do. As you know, the Sniper movies and playing G.I. Joe is my jam. I was pumped to step onto the stage and breathe life into Alex, my character, for this reimagining of the Modern Warfare franchise.

PC: It’s been eight years since the last Call of Duty came out. Are there any nerves given how dedicated this fan base is and your connection to the game?
Chad: I’m not nervous, I’m excited! I know it’s going to be well received. Like you said, it’s been eight years since the last one. I think the last one sold something around 31 million copies globally. The fans have been chomping at the bit to dive back into this world. I know what we filmed and shot has an amazing story with super talented actors and fun new characters. Of course, Captain Price is back in the fold. He’s one of the all-time favorite characters from the Modern Warfare franchise. I’m excited to see how it’s received. For all intents and purposes, I’ve seen and heard that people are stoked.

PC: You’ve worked on a video game project in the past. How did that prepare you for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare?
Chad: I did! I’ve done a couple of really fun motion-capture video game projects before this, but those were a few days here and there. It was nothing like this. We were filming this on and off for the past year. I really got the chance to dive in and get the full performance capture, motion capture, face capture experience properly by playing the lead character. It felt familiar but new at the same time. Being able to take a character from start to finish is always a joy. And Alex, he really goes for a ride here. It’s an unbelievable trip to take with Alex. You get to play as Alex predominantly throughout the story campaign. I’m excited for people to see this story unfold through his eyes and battle and journey all the way through in his boots.

PC: What are some of the major differences when you’re working on a video game project as opposed to film or television?
Chad: I think the great thing about video games, especially the one that we have made here with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, is that it’s like an interactive movie. Instead of two hours, you play through this for six to eight hours. You get an immersive experience. But the decisions are yours. You choose what you do. You choose how to react to any given circumstance.

It’s like a playable Zero Dark Thirty or Lone Survivor—one of those great modern studio war films. This is what we’re doing here. It puts the gamer in the driver’s seat. That’s such a fun, exciting way to experience storytelling. It’s the way of the future. In five to ten years, maybe more movies, not just video games, will have an interactive component. The way you can immerse yourself in this and really empathize with the characters and feel the stress and the anxiety perhaps of a gunfight. I’m very excited for players to journey through this. Hopefully, they’re quick with their grenades. [laughs] I know when I was playing the old Modern Warfare, getting recalibrated with the gaming system and the way that it all works and the characters’ moves, I for sure dropped some flash bombs and grenades at my own feet. [laughs]

Sniper

PC: We also hear that there’s another Sniper film that may be on its way. Is there anything you can tell us about that project?
Chad: I’m not really at liberty to discuss too much. [laughs] But let’s say there has been some traction of late. It looks like Brandon Beckett will suit up for the eighth installment in the Sniper franchise. Hopefully, we’ll get on a set and film something great for everyone. Unfortunately, mum’s the word.

Career

PC: You’ve had tons of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Chad: Well, thank you! I do suppose that I’m doing well enough to keep it going. But this Modern Warfare experience was something completely new and different. It was such a pleasure to do. It kept me working as an actor a few days a month for an entire year, which is always a blessing. But it also felt completely new. Like I said before, this is an experience that I had never really gotten a chance to do. I’m always grateful for any role, but this was really nice for me as an actor because it was something very new. I learned so much about the video game industry and the process of making these games. It’s really, really wonderful to have a new notch in my belt as an actor. It’s exciting to be able to promote it now and talk about it. The global reach of these games are incredible. It’s mind-blowing. Modern Warfare 3 back in 2011 sold 31 million copies globally!

PC: You’ve done so much in your career. What’s left on that bucket list?
Chad: Oh boy. Well, you know from our previous interviews, I’m a very, very big comic book nerd. I’ve played Magic for twenty-plus years, and I play Dungeons and Dragons, so I’m really excited to step into the shoes of a comic book television series or film in any capacity. I also grew up on Lord of the Rings. I’ve always been into role-playing games, whether that’s Dungeons and Dragons or Nintendo, Super Nintendo, or PC. I’m obsessed with knights. Hopefully, there’s a role where I get to throw on some armor and have the old sword and shield.

PC: Who or what would you say has had the biggest influence on your career?
Chad: I’m a big fan of a lot of actors out there. Brad Pitt is one of my all-time favorite actors. I feel like my career has been a weird microcosm of his—obviously nowhere near his level of success but to be able to do different roles. Brad Pitt was always very cool and strategic about the stuff he stepped into. He would start his career as the heartthrob, and then he’d go off and do something wacky like Fight Club. Then he would branch into a Coen Brothers movie. He’s always stretching his muscles. He is always trying something new. I feel like, in a microcosm sort of way, I’ve been fortunate to be able to do the same—from doing a rom-com and a holiday movie to military films. Now I’m getting to dive into video games, which is really, really fun. I have an episode of Creepshow coming out on AMC Shudder based on an old Stephen King film. I love variety, which is why I transitioned from a monotonous, white-collar desk job into acting. Every day is different. Every role is different. Variety is the spice of life as they say.

PC: What’s one thing that you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Chad: That’s a great question. I think when I started, I don’t want to say I lucked my way into it, but I was very casual. I had a white-collar office job. Acting was something I was taking my time with. I was having fun exploring it. I was never attached to the outcome. I was working in the industry, so I was already learning and meeting people in the industry and understanding the business aspect of things. I like the way that my career has progressed. But sometimes when you work in the industry, it’s a bit easy to get in over your head. When you pull back the curtains of the Wizard of Oz, there can be some really weird limited thinking or beliefs that you formulate. I suppose I should’ve taken a step back and let myself continue to have fun and not try and play business chess. I think I’ve found the balance now, but I think it would’ve saved me a lot of grief.

To keep up with Chad, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up your copy of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare out today!