Author: Emma Loggins
Date: 2008-08-01

Interview:


When Will Farmer (Matt Lanter) hacks into a restricted network of online gaming known only as R.I.P.L.E.Y., he stumbles onto a national defense system designed to ferret out fledgling terrorist cells... and becomes Ripley's next target! His identity compromised, his family and friends jeopardized and his hometown in the crosshairs of an automated military response, Will's only hope to clear his name lies in beating Ripley at her own game. But when the game escalates to the next level, it becomes a race against time to stop Ripley from unleashing Armageddon!

We had the pleasure of interviewing the film's female lead, Amanda Walsh. She talked with us about the new WarGames, her personal taste in video games, and her future projects. Here's what she had to say:


How would you say Dead Code differs from the original WarGames?

A. Walsh: Well, there are a lot of ways. The original was made in a time when most people didn't have computers in their homes, and it was during the Cold War. So, there was this big fear of the unknown. Whereas in the newer version, the kids... the whole world has become computer-savvy. So, now it's just about knowing too much, and all the security measures and surveillance that are rearing their ugly heads.

Can you tell me a little bit about the character you play?

A. Walsh: Sure. I play Annie. The story centers on Matt's character which is Will Farmer. He's a high school student. I am the girl he has a crush on. I am also in the chess club at our school. Will decides to come on the trip with me to Montreal as the chess wiz. And it's once we have landed in Montreal that everything kind of hits. He has gotten himself into some trouble with this online video game, and we end up on the run.

Annie is a cool character, because I feel like she is a strong female character. I think often in movies or TV it seems like you have to choose between the hot chick or the tomboy, and Annie seemed more like a full person who got to contribute to the journey and solve the problem. But she still has a vulnerable side too, like a real person would. She has a moment where she breaks down, and she has to overcome that and be courageous. I like seeing all that in a female character.

Were you a fan of the original?

A. Walsh: Yeah, I didn't see it when it first came out, because I was too small. But I did see it a few years before I did this movie. And then I watched it a few times again when I got this part. I am definitely a fan of the original. I think that although the technology is quite dated when you watch it now, the acting and writing... the entire film really stands the test of time. I really liked it a lot. It has some funny moments in it as well. When his father, I don't know if you remember when the father says "This corn is raw!" I really loved that part.

I interviewed Matt earlier today, and I asked him if there is anything I should ask you about. He said to have you tell me about the 16-hour day and the freezing cold stairway scene.

A. Walsh: Oh! Well, we were shooting in the winter in Montreal, which is my hometown. I grew up outside the city, so I really don't have that much of an excuse, but it was so cold. And we were shooting this scene right outside the Internet cafe, and I think we shot it once, but it started snowing in the middle, so we had to go back because the continuity was really messed up. It was snowing so heavily you couldn't pretend that it wasn't. It got so cold that we had to re-shoot the entire scene, and wardrobe had to make me a vest. You know those hot pockets things that you shake and put them into your mittens to keep your hands warm? They had sewn an entire vest made of those, and it still didn't make that much of a difference. I don't even know how cold it was. Our faces were pretty much frozen, and it's hard to act when you can't move your face. So, it was a tough day.