Charles Melton and his fellow actors in the A24 film *Warfare*, inspired by a genuine Navy SEALs mission during the Iraq War, discovered unforgettable methods to forge connections while shooting. The movie's premiere took place on Wednesday at the Hollywood Legion Theater in Los Angeles, affording military veterans an exclusive opportunity to view the feature before its theatrical release on April 11.
Post-screening, co-directors Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland were joined on stage by Melton, co-star D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, and several veterans who were integral to the actual events of 2006. Melton elaborated on the cast's rigorous three-month "immersive boot camp" designed to immerse them in the mindset of a Navy SEAL. "We honed our movements, terminology, military strategies, and communication skills from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily," he recounted. Adding to the camaraderie, all the stars underwent buzz cuts together, and Melton revealed, "We bonded deeply, even getting matching tattoos."
Woon-A-Tai confirmed his participation in the tattoo ritual, bearing the inscription "Call on Me." The *Reservation Dogs* alumnus joked, "I placed mine strategically under my underwear, thinking I'd never be in a sex scene. So, it's all good; I can easily conceal it there." He continued more earnestly, "Sometimes, I wake up naked and see it, and I think, 'I miss those guys.'" More poignantly, Woon-A-Tai expressed, "Within just a few months, I forged a genuine brotherhood with these men." Rounding out the film's talented ensemble were Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Michael Gandolfini, Noah Centineo, and Joseph Quinn.
Mendoza and Garland co-wrote *Warfare* drawing from Mendoza's firsthand experience in the Iraq War, with the screenplay enriched by interviews with actual members of his platoon. The two filmmakers, who met while Garland was working on his recent feature *Civil War* (with Mendoza serving as a military advisor), collaborated on directing the film.
"Above all, this film is a testament to honesty," Garland remarked about *Warfare*. "Its authenticity stems from being unfiltered, unwavering, and truthful." Mendoza elaborated on his aspiration as a filmmaker to narrate this story, acknowledging the challenges veterans face in relating their wartime experiences to civilians: "I aspired to create my own film, taking charge of these elements and conveying those subtle details, thereby serving as a voice for someone—whether it's a veteran grappling with how to articulate their experiences."
