Zach McGowan, a talented actor who you’ll recognize from many films and series, has played roles such as the fearless Captain Charles Vane from Starz’s pirate series “Black Sails” and as Anton Ivanov (aka Superior) on “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”.
I had the pleasure of talking with Zach about his role as Conner, his badass character in Death Race: Beyond Anarchy coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand on October 2, 2018. But that’s not all, Zach also confirmed that he will make his premiere on “The Walking Dead” this season (9).
Zach McGowan with Nolan North In Death Race
Horror Fuel: “You’ve had so many fantastic roles. But you almost always play a badass including as Captain Charles Vane in Black Sails and as Connor in Death Race: Beyond Anarchy what were those experiences like?”
Zach McGowan: “For me, it’s fun to play a badass. There’s a lot of fun to be had finding yourself in those roles. What were the experiences like? They were awesome. They were dreams come true. Growing up, I really appreciated badasses, so every time I get a chance to play one I do. It’s fun, like being a kid again.”
Horror Fuel: “How do you prepare for your roles?”
Zach McGowan: “There’s a lot of elements to every role. There’s your physical self, there’s your mental self, there’s your spiritual self, and there is your vocal quality. There are all those different things. Each one requires different sets of preparations. It’s the same for Connor, for every role. How do I prepare myself? The best that I can. You’re not really prepared for everything they are going to throw at you. Through hard work and dedication, I think you can get as close as possible.”
Horror Fuel: “Death Race: Beyond Anarchy is racing towards its October release. Can you tell us a bit about Connor?”
Zach McGowan: “I feel the same about Connor as I did then, I think Connor is a great guy. He’s the kind of guy that doesn’t start violence but finishes it. I think we all wish we were that kind of guy. I kind of look up to Connor. I hope I can be in my personal life as Connor is in real life.”
Horror Fuel: “Did you do your own stunts in Beyond Anarchy?”
Zach McGowan: “Yeah, I did pretty much all of the fighting. With the car racing, there are certain elements of that they let you do and there are certain elements they won’t let you do. I do every bit of it I can.”
Horror Fuel: “That was an incredible fight scene with the giant guy when you first arrive.”
Zach McGowan: “That was the coldest shirt off fight I have ever done. Bulgaria in the winter is pretty cold. It was raining and it was quite a scene. In fact, Pavlov played the big guy. He gave me the best compliment ever, he said ‘[In Bulgarian accent] You are the toughest American I ever meet.’ That means a lot coming from a dude like him, trust me.”
Horror Fuel: “I can imagine it was cold. That fight was brutal. Pavlov is huge and pretty scary. I’d hate to piss him off.”
Zach McGowan: “Oh, yeah.”
Horror Fuel: “What can viewers expect this time around?”
Zach McGowan: “They can expect a lot of what they have come to know from the franchise, all of the adrenalized action that they are used to as well as some of the characters they have gotten used to, like Goldberg and Lists. I think you can expect a little injection of heart and soul into it. We tried our best to really ground it to make the journey real for the characters. I hope you can expect some awesomeness coming your way.”
Horror Fuel: “I really enjoyed Death Race: Beyond Anarchy.”
Zach McGowan: “I did too. Making a movie is a lot of fun, but there is a big difference between the script you read, the movie you shoot and the movie you watch. They are three different things. You never know how you are going to react. I fuckin’ loved it.”
Horror Fuel: “I’m sure that’s very true. It’s always great when an actor really loves the finished film.”
Zach McGowan: “Yeah.”
Horror Fuel: “What was the toughest part of making the film?”
Zach McGowan: “There were a lot of tough elements. Usually, in filmmaking in general, the natural elements you deal with, generally become of the toughest things, especially in winter at nine thousand feet in Bulgaria.”
Horror Fuel: “Is there a chance we’ll see you in a sequel?”
Zach McGowan: “It all depends on how this goes and if the audience embraces me. I know the film has fans, some really love it, some are just learning about it. I’m more than happy to make movies with Don Michael Paul.”
Horror Fuel: “I’ll hope we will see you reprise your role as Connor.”
Zach McGowan: “You know me, I love to work so we’ll see what they do.”
Horror Fuel: “It is true you’re set to make your debut on The Walking Dead this season?”
Zach McGowan: “I do. I’m on The Walking Dead this season. I did a number of episodes for them. It’s an honor to be on that legendary show before it goes, I don’t know how long it will be around, so it was good to get involved with it.
Horror Fuel: “Is there anything you can tell us about your character Justin?”
Zach McGowan: “I guess not much. They didn’t really tell me what I can and can not say. I usually err on not saying much. But in the trailer, you can see me and Norman fighting. Me and Norman get at it a little bit.”
Horror Fuel: “That’s awesome. I can’t wait to see your character in action.”
McGowan has been busy between Death Race: Beyond Anarchy, “The Walking Dead”, and starring as the Scorpion King in Scorpion King: Book of Souls which arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on October 13, 2018.
Follow Zach McGowan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well as Death Race on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Don’t miss McGowan in season 9 of “The Walking Dead” premiering on AMC on Sunday, October 7th.
