Charlie Mann on Primate’s Gruesome Thrills and Becoming Tommy in Power: Origins
Charlie Mann is stepping into a career-defining stretch. For starters, this year, he joined the ensemble of Primate, Johannes Roberts’ sun-drenched vacation nightmare distributed by Paramount Pictures, following a group of friends whose idyllic getaway collapses fast once they cross paths with a formerly friendly monkey carrying a rabies-esque virus. The result is horror that leans gruesome without staying in one emotional lane for long, swinging from genuinely unsettling to oddly funny, then landing somewhere unexpectedly sad as it builds to a chaotic climax.
For Mann, Primate is also a bold step into large-scale genre storytelling, and it arrives alongside another major move. Next, he’s officially stepping into the Power universe with STARZ’s Power: Origins, charting the early rise of Ghost and Tommy as two ambitious friends chasing legend status in New York. Paired together, the two projects spotlight his growing range, from visceral, physical genre stakes to more character-driven drama.
As momentum builds, Mann sits down with Stardust to talk about the intensity of making Primate, the thrill of stepping into an established franchise, and his current creative process.
Primate takes a familiar vacation setup and twists it into something far more unpredictable. What initially stood out to you about the script and the world it builds?
Charlie Mann: The gruesome kills were certainly what stood out first for me, just from their descriptions on the page, they created a vivid image in my head of how violent Ben the chimp could be. It was terrifying and fun. The tone of the script really stood out to me, especially from the characters myself and my friend Tienne Simon played. Brad and Drew, two delightful idiots who happen into the home of Lucy, looking for hot girls and more booze. The writing for them was light and funny, and it meshed perfectly in the narrative as a break from the misery Ben was causing the girls.
How do you prepare for roles, and how do they differ for each character?
Charlie Mann: Preparation for all my roles is quite similar; for me, the process is simple; I read the script as many times as possible—aim for at least five times—so that the circumstances of the piece settle into the subconscious of my mind. Learn the lines in a way where there is no pre-determined performance with them, this way when I get to set, I am able to listen to my scene partner and respond to what they’re doing. I also like to listen to music while I learn my lines—depending on how emotional a scene might be, I feel the use of music can draw out emotions one might usually struggle to come up with naturally. A favorite of mine is “God Moving Over the Face of the Waters” by Moby from the fantastic movie HEAT. I also like to talk through the circumstances to myself, usually while listening to music, to understand what’s going on in the scene: What is the conflict? How does my character feel about the other in this scene? Doing all of this work beforehand, I feel as though I store up an energy source that I can tap into when I get to set, so I am ready for whatever the director or actor opposite me throws at me.
Johannes Roberts has a very specific approach to tension and pacing. What did you learn from working inside his style of filmmaking?
Charlie Mann: Johannes was a joy to work with—he truly is an actor’s director. His process was great to be part of, and he gave both Tienne and me a lot of freedom to try things out and see what stuck. If you ever got hold of the B-roll from Primate, most of it would be me and Tienne messing around and improvising on set. Johannes was very open to changing his script on the fly and collaborating, but he was also firm when he knew the exact moment he wanted, which felt like a perfect balance between freedom to play and certainty. I learned to take big risks while working with Johannes, and to also just say ‘why not’ and try something unexpected, because you never know—it could work!
Horror often relies on what the audience doesn’t see, something you also explored in The Watchers. Did that experience shape the way you approached Primate?
Charlie Mann: Honestly, it didn’t shape the way I approached Primate. The only tangible way it informed my work on Primate is that it was my first role in a feature film, and it was an invaluable experience in my ever-evolving journey of being an actor.
Working in horror can be extremely technical. Was there anything about the genre’s mechanics that has surprised—or impressed—you so far?
Charlie Mann: The use of practical effects is extremely impressive to me, and their implementation is a must for me when considering whether a horror film is good. There are a lot of practical effects in this movie, and, for me, they are the highlight. I was surprised by fake blood and how much I hate it; that is the worst part of the horror process. It smells sickly sweet, it’s sticky and cold, and just sits on your face or body for hours at a time, and is a nightmare to get off. I’d rather use my own, if I’m honest. I was also surprised by how fun the set is. It juxtaposes the material we are shooting, but it feels as though that is the best way to work. There’s so much violence and misery, and then when ‘cut’ is called, we’re all laughing. It’s a good emotional regulator.
What’s something you’re taking away from Primate, whether from the shoot, the ensemble, or the genre, that you didn’t expect going in?
Charlie Mann: I didn’t expect to make such lifelong friends. I keep in contact with the cast regularly, and some of them are even planning to visit NYC in the coming months, so we can all see each other again—having missed all the premieres for Primate, I have missed seeing my friends. I didn’t expect to love shooting horror so much, and I would definitely love to do another horror movie this year.
You’re also joining the Power: Origins series, which expands an already rich universe. What excited you about stepping into a world with its own mythology and devoted fanbase?
Charlie Mann: I was so excited to play Tommy, as he is an actor’s dream, and so far it has been absolutely fantastic. Stepping into the world of Power has been incredible, and I never imagined I would be in the position I am now. I am focused on making the most of the opportunity and delivering the best performance I can for the fans of the universe.
Primate is in US and UK cinemas now, with Crookhaven and Power: Origins coming soon.
