Writers and Directors, Justin Matthews and Luke Spencer Roberts discuss their dark comedy, ‘The Duel‘ based on real life events.
We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the talented writer-directors Justin Matthews and Luke Spencer Roberts to discuss their latest film ‘The Duel‘, which is inspired by real-life events involving a group of friends they were acquainted with. During our conversation, we couldn’t help but tease Matthews about his impressive IMDB profile, which includes notable credits such as casting his older sister, Rachel Matthews, and even being the grandson of Hollywood legend Michael Landon. On the other hand, Roberts’ IMDB page is notably more minimalist, featuring a few nostalgic teenage photos and being known for ‘The Duel‘ and two other films.
When asked what weapons they would choose if they had to partake in a real-life duel, Matthews and Roberts shared some entertaining and unexpected answers that added a humorous touch to our discussion. The film itself centers on Woody (Callan McAuliffe), who discovers that his best friend Colin (Dylan Sprouse) has been having an affair with his girlfriend. Believing that modern methods of revenge would be insufficient, Woody opts for a more traditional approach: he challenges Colin to a classic duel to the death. As two additional friends join the escalating conflict, the once-close group of friends faces an intense and dramatic confrontation that tests their relationships to the breaking point.
We also learned how wonderful Patrick Warburton was to work with on set. His deadpan delivery and natural comedic timing kept everyone in high spirits and provided plenty of laughs during filming.
Writer/Directors: Justin Matthews (‘Upgraded‘, ‘The Morning Show‘) and Luke Spencer Roberts (‘Upgraded‘)
Starring: Dylan Sprouse, Callan McAuliffe, Denny Love, Hart Denton, María Gabriela De Faría, Rachel Matthews, Christian McGaffney, Ronald Guttman, Patrick Warburton
Executive Produced by: Dylan Sprouse (marking Sprouse’s debut in an executive producer role)
Produced by: Zachary Spicer, Gordon Strain, Joe Matthews, Justin Matthews
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rating: R for language throughout, sexual references, drug use, and brief violence
Runtime: 99 min
The Duel‘ offers a unique blend of comedy and drama, with a story inspired by real events that challenges the characters’ integrity and friendship in the face of betrayal and honor.
‘The Duel‘ is in theaters, Friday, August 2, 2024.
