How Taylor Kitsch became Hollywood’s go-to actor (and veterans’ favorite) for military roles

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In “The Terminal List: Dark Wolf,” a prequel series set to premiere on Wednesday, Taylor Kitsch returns as Navy SEAL Ben Edwards – the very same character who was disclosed to have perpetrated an unimaginable transgression against his fellow team members.

In simpler terms, the developing plotline of the fresh action-spy TV series follows Ben’s transformation from a dedicated follower into an individual who could potentially turn against Chris Pratt’s character, James Reece, and his associates, as portrayed in the original show.

For some who might wonder, “Weren’t Taylor Kitsch’s characters in uniform before?” – yes, indeed! And it seems even Taylor himself can’t keep track of the number of times he’s portrayed military or military-related roles.

“When asked about the number of roles in his resume, he responds casually, saying something like, ‘Ah, let’s see… I’ve been in movies such as ‘Lone Survivor’, ‘Savages’, ‘Terminal List’, and I played a rather unconventional character in ‘American Assassin’. If we count a police officer as military, then add ‘True Detective’, Season 2. So, approximately, there are five.”

Who are some characters played by actor Taylor Kitsch that you might recognize from movies like “Battleship,” “John Carter,” and “21 Bridges”? The question is, what makes Kitsch a reliable choice for such roles, and why do audiences find him convincing in these types of characters?

In his words, “He perfectly represents it, convincingly portrays it – one of the main reasons we’re now having a prequel season,” comments Jared Shaw, a veteran SEAL and actor portraying Boozer in both series, also serving as a technical consultant.

Taylor consistently approaches each day with a dedication to doing things correctly, as it’s clear to us that he values the Navy SEAL community that I hail from. His determination to invest his time, ask questions, and contribute his ideas is deeply admirable to me.

Television

In the suspenseful series on Prime Video, Chris Pratt portrays a vengeful military figure, devoid of the charisma reminiscent from his roles in ‘Parks and Recreation’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’

Ray Mendoza, another ex-SEAL who has collaborated with Kitsch in the past and whose life serves as inspiration for the recent movie “Warfare,” notes, “Besides his acting talent and the intensity he maintains, it’s his genuine interest. He wants to truly grasp [the situation], not just imitate me. There are very few actors who possess all these qualities. That’s what sets him apart from typical action stars.

It’s evident that the importance of craftsmanship is not overlooked within this community. They keenly feel its absence when it’s not present.

Mendoza expresses that he’s eager for them to join his realm, to partake in his knowledge. However, much of what he knows comes from experiences tainted by hardship and loss. It can be disheartening when others are not keen to invest the necessary effort. When they skim over such challenging aspects, it may feel like one is being ignored or undervalued. In contrast, with Taylor, this isn’t an issue. He appreciates working alongside him.

Forming a brotherhood

In the movie “Lone Survivor” (2013), which depicted a mission in Afghanistan leading to the loss of several Navy SEALs including his character Lt. Michael Murphy (a Medal of Honor recipient), Kitsch experienced his first taste of the intense training necessary to portray a Navy SEAL. He admires director Peter Berg for an exceptional decision, inviting all 19 families of the fallen SEALs to the set. Kitsch confesses that he was incredibly anxious as it was an emotional experience that caught him off guard and left him unprepared.

He mentions that Dan Murphy, his father, is a war veteran who received the Purple Heart. Essentially, he seems to be seeking acceptance. While you could express your intentions by saying, ‘I vow to honor him,’ when standing before a father who has lost his son, whose impact was as significant as Mike’s, you’re essentially promising to give it your all and show him the respect and dedication he deserves.

Dan has been nothing short of impressive. He expressed genuine excitement about having me play his son, boosting my confidence. Moreover, he handed me Mike’s fire patch and shared heartwarming tales about their relationship.

The fire patch on display was originally from the New York Fire Department’s Engine 53 and Ladder 43, and it serves as a memorial for Murphy, reminding him of the events of September 11th.

Through Mendoza and Marcus Luttrell, the actor developed a more profound appreciation for the camaraderie among Navy SEALs, as depicted in the book that served as the foundation for the movie. Kitsch now refers to them as “brothers,” reflecting the trust and admiration he earned from them. The bond between them is mutual and heartwarming.

Mendoza, who worked with Luttrell on “Lone Survivor”, initially met Taylor when he was new to the community. Now, as Mendoza observes, Taylor embodies the values of this group – camaraderie, loyalty, and a strong sense of responsibility. This is particularly evident in his leadership role on the ‘Dark Wolf’ set, where he ensures that everyone, just like family members, are looked after – checking in on crew members to ask about their well-being and the team’s overall condition. In essence, Taylor prioritizes his team before himself.

According to Mendoza, many of the actors he’s trained have a tendency to only engage in portraying military veterans for movies and not maintain contact or participate in commemorative events like Memorial Day with their character’s real-life families.

Unlike some, Kitsch showed genuine concern towards the veteran community – something Mendoza noted. He didn’t merely participate in this for ‘Lone Survivor’; rather, it’s a long-term dedication of his. Given his selfless efforts, we welcomed him as a fellow brother because he pursues such work independently.

The wolf in his eyes

When discussing the casting process for characters like Ben, portrayed by Kitsch, in “Terminal List” and “Dark Wolf,” showrunner David DiGilio explains that they initially focus on the actor’s eyes. He asks whether the eyes convey a sense of danger, readiness to make sacrifices, unpredictability, and intelligence. These qualities, according to DiGilio, contribute to the intricate blend of emotional and physical strength characteristic of real-life special operators.

Recalling his initial encounter with Kitsch via Zoom, DiGilio felt they’d found their Ben almost instantly. Within just a couple of minutes, executive producer Antoine Fuqua texted him on the side, “That’s Ben.” To which DiGilio responded affirmatively, “Yep,” and the journey began from those captivating eyes.

In a more profound sense, Jack Carr, a former Navy SEAL and author of ‘The Terminal List’ series, aims to portray the mindset of a contemporary warrior,” he explains. “We’re not producing anything that’s overtly militaristic or boisterous.” He confesses that in the initial novel, he didn’t fully flesh out the character of Ben Edwards, as he thought it would be his sole appearance. Yet, he acknowledges that Kitsch managed to breathe life and complexity into the character.

Carr states that he agreed to take on the role, provided he could pull it off. Taylor was eager to bring this character to life, and some of the distinctive elements he added were his tattoos and sunglasses. Without him, there likely wouldn’t be a spinoff as we know it.

Kitsch mentioned one of his requirements for accepting the role was having a lot of creative freedom, which he referred to as being given a “long leash.” He further explained, “It’s incredibly difficult to cheer for a SEAL character like the one in ‘The Terminal List.’ So, that’s a significant factor behind my decision to join the project, primarily because I relish the challenge of portraying such an emotionally complex character.

He shares that he engaged in unexpected discussions with Luttrell and other SEALs regarding Ben’s justification for betraying Reece’s unit, leading to their deaths. Some people might view Ben as not entirely in the wrong for allowing them to die honorably instead of enduring agonizing brain tumors that were ultimately incurable.

As the title suggests, ‘Dark Wolf,’ DiGilio explains, it became apparent that Ben truly symbolizes the tale within,” he said. “Each individual carries two wolves within them – one light, one dark.

He explains that the moral of the proverb “You are what you feed” is more powerful when you understand it in context. In the new series, Ben starts as a committed member of his SEAL team in Afghanistan before he becomes something else. The creator warns against rushing this transformation, because once a character believes they can control their darker side for good, it can lead to justifications for questionable actions. This is a dangerous path to tread.

While “The Terminal List” carries an intense, Rambo-esque vibe, suggesting a highly skilled assassin operating within America’s borders, “Dark Wolf” feels more akin to a grittier James Bond spin-off. Here, ex-SEALs find themselves entangled in complex espionage missions across exotic destinations.

According to Kitsch, there’s a noticeable contrast between Pratt’s character in “The Terminal List” and his role in “Dark Wolf.” He suggests that if circumstances had been different, Reece could have become a contender for presidency. Kitsch describes Reece as highly respected, always doing what’s right, and having a strong family background.

In my perspective, my character deviates starkly from Kitsch’s – I’m the unpredictable factor with a hint of lawlessness. A scene that embodies this in the “Dark Wolf” series is when my character, Ben, crosses paths with an operative on a subway train. This operative had just taken down one of Ben’s teammates moments prior.

It was stated that they were planning to engage in a fistfight on the subway, but Ben, being his usual self, didn’t seem to care much about it. He questions the logic behind getting into a knife fight with another person when he has a gun at his disposal, as he casually remarks.

Rather than doing so discreetly, he instead chooses to gun down the man in plain sight, amidst a crowd of onlookers in a train car, takes pictures of the incident using his phone, and departs casually.

As a cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: “You know, I’ve heard about the astonishingly high divorce rates among SEALs. It’s something I’ve seen close up too – a friend of mine is going through it right now. He’s determined to keep serving, but his partner isn’t willing to stick around any longer, and who can blame her? Yet, he persists, moving forward with undying resolve.

He remarks, “If you unhandcuff me and give me a chance to act according to my training, let’s see what I can achieve. I’ve suffered significant losses – my wife, my family, and comrades in the Navy – so I might as well continue to strive.

Lessons learned in training

During his initial training for “Lone Survivor,” Kitsch learned a valuable lesson from the SEALs, one of the key things being that he, as Murphy’s portrayal, had to lead the actors in a drill where they were unexpectedly attacked in a forest by the very SEALs who were training them. What made this even more daunting was that they were using simunitions – non-lethal training ammunition. However, this doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt; quite the contrary.

In the anticipation of around a 12-minute standoff, it actually lasted merely two minutes since the actors’ composure crumbled, allowing the SEALs to quickly overpower them. Kitsch joked about it, pointing fingers at one of his fellow actors for disobeying instructions, but Luttrell – who was not well acquainted with him yet and was considered Murphy’s closest friend – strongly disagreed.

According to Kitsch, he exclaimed something along the lines of, “He really let me have it,” as he shared Luttrell’s harsh words. He also included a strong phrase in his narrative. Essentially, Kitsch recounted Luttrell telling him, “‘Isn’t it ironic that everyone’s dead? You’re the one in charge here. You wanted him to move right, but he slowed down. This isn’t a joke.’

As a movie enthusiast, when the last man standing delivers such intense dialogue, it’s hard not to be reminded of the gravity of the situation. That scene has stuck with me; it underscores the importance of remembering the high stakes at play.

In the story “Dark Wolf,” there’s an unforeseen gunfight where Ben’s squad is compelled to withdraw due to an ambush, with a barrage of bullets. During this tense moment, Kitsch recalls Luttrell’s advice.

As a cinephile, I pulled the actors aside and said, “Comprehend the gravity of this scene. Avoid overdoing it. Remember, don’t hold back. If you don’t convincingly portray that there’s someone about to shoot me from my left, I might as well be dead – so perform accordingly.

I believe that made a positive impact on everyone. Just a quick note, I sometimes have to deliver tough messages, and this situation was no exception as it happened quite frequently. We all strive to maintain balance and avoid overreactions, which is commendable. However, when the level of urgency reaches its peak, let’s ensure our response matches that intensity.

Giving back, on and offscreen

The actor’s charitable actions towards veterans are greatly appreciated by the SEALs who collaborate with him. He doesn’t just portray kindness on screen, but demonstrates it in his personal life as well, showing a genuine commitment to his cause. According to Shaw, he is not only donating money but also establishing a charitable foundation.

Kitsch’s ideal endeavor is called Howler’s Ridge, a tranquil haven designed to aid in healing trauma, not only for veterans but also for survivors of domestic abuse and those from the recovery community. He has publicly acknowledged his temporary hiatus from acting to assist his sister Shelby Kitsch-Best in overcoming drug addiction. “She experienced seven relapses, died twice, received Narcan twice, yet she’s been sober for more than nine years now,” Kitsch shares.

Among those who provided significant assistance to them was Luttrell, who owns a farm in Georgia, and promptly extended an invitation for her to stay there: “He said something like, ‘Bring her to the farm. There’s no heroin or fentanyl here.’

Kitsch decided to transform 22 acres of his land in Bozeman, Montana, into Howler’s Ridge, due to a favorable experience he had. Aware of the potential risks that some environments may present for individuals who have been traumatized, Kitsch intends to construct an area that is both safe and predictable. This initiative represents his belief in its potential to aid in healing and potentially reset the affected individuals’ brains.

Before its official opening, Kitsch’s sister intends to organize a seven-day yoga workshop and various other activities aimed at women who are living sober lives. “Even without substances, you’re still in the struggle,” he says. “She’s a qualified substance counselor now. It’s amazing.

“I’m probably prouder of this than anything I’ve ever been a part of.”

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2025-08-27 13:31