Inside Not Without Hope: Cast on Survival, Trauma, and Empathy

The harrowing events behind Not Without Hope are brought to the screen with a raw intensity, as the cast recounts the ordeal of filming a story rooted in true tragedy. Centred on the 2009 boating disaster that claimed the lives of NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith, the film follows Nick Schuyler, the only survivor. Under Joe Carnahan’s direction, the production unfolded entirely within Malta’s formidable water tanks, demanding both physical stamina and emotional fortitude from those involved.

Portraying Real Lives and Bearing Responsibility

We caught up with Zachary Levi, who steps into the shoes of Schuyler, alongside Quentin Plair (Marquis Cooper), Terrence Terrell (Corey Smith), and Marshall Cook (Will Bleakley). Each actor reflected on the weight of representing individuals whose lives were cut short, and the delicate balance between honouring their memories and crafting a compelling performance.

Levi described the challenge of immersing himself in such a deeply traumatic narrative:

“It’s incredibly important. I’m not sure I do it that well all the time, depending on the story. This is the most intense film I’ve been a part of, particularly in terms of the subject matter. When you’re an actor, you are tasting and experiencing a fraction of what actually went down in the real moments that Nick and Marquis and Corey and Will were experiencing.”

He went on to explain the emotional toll exacted by the shoot:

“Still, because of the extremes that we were going through in this water tank together, and the bonding experience that was, having to look at each one of these guys as they were ‘dying’ and having to let go of them and assess that in my own heart and mind… It’s mildly traumatic. You are trying to emulate that as authentically as possible. I did my best to protect myself, but it definitely wasn’t a perfect process. We made it through it together.”

Honouring Memory and Finding Freedom in Performance

For Terrell, Cook, and Plair, the task of portraying men who are no longer here brought its own set of challenges. Terrell noted,

“I feel like I had more freedom than Zach, because Corey, as I said, is not as famous. There was no video, and nobody really… he wasn’t a public figure as big as Nick is now, thanks to the book. So, I think we had a little bit more freedom than Zach did.”

Cook, meanwhile, relied on what little information was available, as well as conversations with Schuyler, to shape his portrayal:

“Will didn’t have a huge digital footprint. I approached it with what I could find online, what I could discuss with Nick as his friend, what was on the page, and then who I was at that time in my life. I think we had a lot in common, so a lot of it is a version of me when I was in my mid-20s. I hope that anybody who knew him will appreciate this. One of my favourite moments is when I posted a story of just goofing around on set, and someone who knew Will DM’d me and said, ‘You’re totally channeling Will right now.’ That just felt really good.”

Plair emphasised the importance of sensitivity:

“I think the most important goal for me was to not make things any worse for the family members and friends of Marquis who are still here. I took that very, very seriously. Anytime you’re dealing with a true story that is as traumatic as this one, you just take it with the most sensitive gloves that you can. I personally wanted to open myself up to tell Marquise’s story and honour him as much as possible in his plight.”

Shifting Focus: From Blockbusters to Human Stories

Levi’s recent career choices mark a departure from his earlier roles in major franchises, as he gravitates towards more intimate, character-driven narratives. When asked about this transition, he reflected:

“I think that when given the opportunity to tell a story that inspires, if you can make people laugh or cry or jump, but also inspire them in some way to remind them of the strength of the human spirit that we all have within us, the ability to overcome any number of obstacles, it’s something I need to remind myself of constantly.”

He candidly discussed his own struggles and the resonance he finds in these stories:

“I still struggle with a lack of gratitude. I still look at other people in my profession and go, ‘Oh man, if I were just there or I just had this.’ I get down on myself. A lot of that is, as I’ve unpacked in lots and lots of therapy, just childhood trauma. I think the element of wanting to tell stories that inspire people… I keep gravitating toward, or rather, they keep gravitating toward me, these stories.”

Levi cited several recent projects that have struck a chord with him, noting that not every script offers the same sense of purpose. He remarked on the importance of feeling proud of one’s work, especially when it comes to sharing it with audiences and encouraging them to experience it for themselves.

Release and Final Thoughts

Not Without Hope arrives in cinemas on 12 December, inviting viewers to witness a story of endurance, loss, and the enduring power of empathy.