We were hanging outside and working out together, and playing horseshoes together, and playing guitar together. “People weren’t hanging out in their trailers, you know. “This entire cast bonded in a way that I hadn’t experienced on a film before,” explained Teller. To re-create McDonough's journey to become a Hotshot, Teller and his cast mates were trained by firefighters who had worked on the Granite Mountain crew - a unique experience for the star of 2014’s “ Whiplash.” At the beginning of the film, McDonough is a struggling drug addict who finds his determination to join Marsh’s crew when he becomes a father for the first time. He had that much to give.”įor actor Miles Teller’s character Brendan McDonough, the concept of family was something relatively new.

“(Steed's) wife told me that he would go work 16 hours a day on the line, cutting line with these guys,” Dale said, “and then come home and be with her and the kids as if he hadn’t even gone to work. “He had the strength and the bravery to look people in the eye and say, ‘I love you.’”įamily themes run through Kosinski’s film, echoed in the reflections of its stars. “This guy was a lot of things I’m not,” Dale said. “I feel it’s important for me to honor her and respect what she wants made of her life and her marriage.”Īctor James Badge Dale, who portrays Eric’s right-hand man Jesse Steed, was impressed not only by Steed's physical stature, but by his character. “I feel beholden to her,” shared Connelly. For Connelly, the opportunity to play a real woman that she got to know carried a great deal of responsibility.

Jennifer connelly only the brave