The Muse spoke to Eagle Eye co-star and Boston University alumnus Michael Chiklis (FX’s The Shield, Fantastic Four) about his fellow actors, his interpretation of the film and his own experience as a BU student. Chiklis plays Secretary of Defense Geoff Callister who must make a difficult decision in the film’s opening scene.
The Muse: How would you characterize Eagle Eye?
MC: If movie theater seats had seat belts, I’d tell the audience to put them on. It’s one of those thrill-ride, break-neck, keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat movies. It’s a story about two ordinary people being placed in extraordinary circumstances, and they really don’t know what’s happening, and you just take this ride with them. What I like most about the movie is that it’s smart in addition to being thrilling and entertaining. Some filmmakers make the mistake of just focusing on blowing up stuff, but these filmmakers have the right idea.
This movie is not about terrorists. I would classify this as a cautionary tale about how we internally handle our own fears, doubts and questions as they relate to the outer world. Rome collapsed from the inside, as you know, so it’s not about the outside forces at all. It’s a phenomenal thrill ride.
The Muse: How did you first get involved with the film?
MC: Honestly, it happened quite by mistake. [D.J.] Caruso’s youngest son was playing with his phone early on a Sunday morning, and the 3 year old called me just by pushing buttons and woke me up. I called D.J. back and asked him why he was calling me at 7 a.m. on a Sunday, and he apologized and said his son had called Angelina Jolie a minute ago. Then he said, ‘Hey, what are you doing? Have you wrapped The Shield yet? I’ve got something for you, could you read it?’ I immediately loved the script.
The Muse: How did playing the secretary of defense in Eagle Eye compare to your role of Vic Mackey on The Shield?
MC: Playing the secretary of defense is quite a bit different from playing Vic Mackey, though they both possess heroic qualities. It’s apples and oranges otherwise. It’s a gang leader compared to a high cabinet position in Washington. Callister has much bigger fish to fry as a guy who is dealing with potential international conflicts on the highest level of security. Only one guy is higher than him and that’s the president. Putting yourself in that sort of a position and learning about what they have to deal with every day, when you let that sink into your psyche you have an inkling as to the amount of pressure that these men and women are under every day and what it’s like to have to make really critical decisions that will affect people’s lives, and in some cases, end lives. There’s a tremendous sort of weight, and I just wanted to convey that weight on this character’s shoulders.
The Muse: How did you get into character for playing such an intense role?
MC: The actual secretary of defense was on staff as an adviser, and I spoke to him for quite a while. I was able to find out what goes on day-to-day in his life, and he really impressed upon the intensity of the job — how oftentimes they have to make decisions that will affect hundreds and thousands of lives in a matter of minutes. It was my job as an actor to take that input and personalize it. When we shot at the Pentagon, I got to walk around the place. It helped me figure out how I personally would react to the opening scene of the film. It was just a small insight into what really happens, but it’s about sinking into the world and letting it affect you.
The Muse: How was it working with up-and-comer Shia LeBeouf?
MC: Shia is awesome, I really enjoy the kid. He’s a great talent, smart, with no ego whatsoever. He’s open and really wonderful to work with. I admire the kid; he’s on fire. This kid’s a certified movie star, but the reason is not just because he’s a wonderful actor but because he’s accessible, likable and really just a good guy.
The Muse: How much CGI and other types of special effects does Eagle Eye rely on?
MC: A lot of action movies depend greatly on CGI, blue screen, green screen and post-production special effects, but there’s almost none of that in this movie. It’s shot really old school. [Director] D.J. Caruso is one of the biggest stars in this movie because the direction is unbelievable. It gives you this incredible feeling of paranoia.
The Muse: How should the audience interpret Eagle Eye’s message regarding technology?
MC: Do you pay for everything with a credit card? Home phones, cell phones, everything you use, you can be tracked with everything that you do, everywhere you go. Just let that sort of sink in for a moment.
The Muse: What advice do you have for BU students looking to break into acting after graduation?
MC: I think BU has one of the best training programs for actors, particularly in regard to the actual craft of acting. I would educate myself as much as I could if I was a student there, both as an actor and regarding the in and outs of show business. There’s an infrastructure here of all the different people you work with, and the sooner you’re able to identify with it, the better. I was unaware of that upon graduating and I had to learn it ‘school of life’ on the streets, so I would be looking into all of that in addition to my acting lessons.