Levi Miller Talks ‘Before Dawn’ And Childhood Influence of Indiana Jones

Levi Miller delivers a stirring performance in “Before Dawn” as Jim Collins, a young man who leaves his Australian outback home to enlist in World War I. Co-starring Travis Jeffery, Myles Pollard, and Ed Oxenbould, the story spends a healthy time in the muddied trenches. The interview stars off with a curious question about mud, and then we learn a thing or two about Miller’s passion for acting, traveling, and Indiana Jones!

I am here with Levi Miller, one of the stars of the great ensemble cast of “Before Dawn.” Excellent film. You mentioned on your Instagram that (“Before Dawn” had) two months of just muddy work. What’s the key to surviving all that mud?

Levi Miller: Yeah. Honestly, driers came in handy. They had these things called Puttees, which, you wrap around your ankles. That is what they used during World War One and World War Two to keep out the mud and the wet from your shoes. Because that was a big problem. The mud and the wet getting into your feet and then your feet kind of soaking in that for eight hours, nine hours a day.

So it was the Puttees and dryers, I’d say. And also it helped, especially during the colder parts being with the lads and just, you know, talking, having hot soup. It was good.

How pleased you are with the final product, because I think this movie really works.

Levi Miller: Absolutely. Thank you. It’s pretty crazy because we shot it a few years back. In that moment for those months there, the two months of just like you can’t really tell. Like it’s actually being filmed right now – if that makes sense. It’s sort of like living in it and then to actually see it all come together. It was thrilling.

Did you feel like you formed a brotherhood with the cast and crew of this movie?

Levi Miller: Absolutely. The principal cast members were staying in the same house as well. So we’d we spent our day wet and cold on set, and then we’d come home and then spend an evening together playing board games and talking and just often falling asleep, passing out from (being) sore and tired and cold.

Two of the other boys already were friends of mine, so it was good to have that bond already and then to build on with the other boys was great.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned on your acting journey from when you started as a child and now you’re all grown up?

Levi Miller: Probably really just to listen. It’s definitely like just soaking the environment, soaking those moments. Hear what everyone has to say when you’re on set because it’s such a creative and building time to just soak it all in and enjoy it. That’s a that’s a big part of it.

Where does your passion for acting and traveling come from?

Levi Miller: It’s pretty funny because I think both my passion for acting and my passion for wanting to see the world – I think it comes from Indiana Jones.

I remember watching those films as a kid and being really young and not really understanding this isn’t real. This is acting, etc.. That’s what I wanted to do. I want to go see different stuff, and film has allowed me to do that.

I’ve been to a lot of places that I would never have (been to). Even for this film, like Australia is so big and I’ve shot in Western Australia before, but I’ve (also) shot in northern Western Australia in the red dirt – iron mining kind of area, which is so completely different to down south where we were at, which is like Arctic winds and freezing cold and beautiful beaches.

I’ve been very lucky in that way.

What can you tell us about “Kraven The Hunter?“

Levi Miller: Yeah, it was wonderful. It was great. I did that after shooting “Before Dawn.” And it’s interesting going from an the indie production to a Sony Marvel picture. It was great.

**check out my CinemAddicts review of “Before Dawn”:

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What is the key for you staying in the moment as an actor. How do you stay focused on what whatever scene you’re doing, is there a key or does it differ from project to project?

Levi Miller: I think it falls back into that sort of listening thing, like remembering, you know, every moment is different. There’s so much I can learn from each each second, both on camera, off camera, on set, you know, chatting with everyone and just really just soaking it in because it’s such a privilege to be on set and around so many different people, different backgrounds. And that’s wonderful.

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Final question is a two parter. First off, can you name a movie or project from your own resume that you would like our listeners to check out a movie that you might feel may be overrated? What makes that movie special for you? And then part B of that question is, can you name a movie from your youth that really continues to inspire you, and what makes this movie special?

Levi Miller: Yes, absolutely. Yeah. So for my films, I recently rewatched, “Better Watch Out” last Christmas. I hadn’t seen it for years and years. That was pretty interesting to watch. It’s definitely one to not expect anything going in (and) just experience it.

(From my own childhood), I already mentioned Indiana Jones. That is that is a pivotal one for me. I’d say. “Napoleon Dynamite” kind of rings in my head at the moment. I watched that because my sisters – I got older sisters and they loved it. One is nine years older (and) one’s three years older than me. We’d always just put (that movie) on. And I laugh and laugh and then as I got older, I laugh at different stuff during it. That’s one I grew up with.

Thank you so much for your time. Good luck on. And congratulations on “Before Dawn.”

Levi Miller: Thank you Greg.

“Before Dawn,” directed and co-written Jordon Prince-Wright, hits theaters and Digital on July 19.