SAMANTHA WIN discusses ARMY OF THE DEAD.

There is no other greater thing than to be proud of your heritage and where you come from, and this Chinese/Canadian powerhouse SAMANTHA WIN is just that. Humble. Sincere, and a 90’s kid! Here she talks to me about ARMY OF THE DEAD (now streaming on Netflix and is currently #1 on the platform.) stunts, auditions, 90’s G-Shock watches, and not being afraid to go for something you want. (Listen up aspiring actors! Tenacity is the key in this business!)

Side note, she was also in two of my favorite video game franchises, Resident Evil and Call of Duty.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN ARMY OF THE DEAD?

SAMANTHA WIN: I heard that the production was prepping, and they started designing the action, but I wasn’t necessarily hearing anything for myself. It was one of those cases where

“I had to get over my fears of asking for what I wanted. My fears of coming across as being ungrateful. Or entitled and all of these labels that I might assign to myself, that no one else is seeing in that case.”

PUSHING PAST HER FEARS

WIN: I actually did text Zack (SNYDER), the director, and asked if I could audition for Army. He responded and he was happy to have me audition. All of the fears melted away.

“But it was a big step for me personally, in getting over some of those fears and worries about what other people think and just being confident in who I am, and how I feel. And that if the people around me see me, and care about me. They feel that there should be no worry to come across as ungrateful, or any of those bad words.”

YOU HAD CALLBACKS I’M ASSUMING, OR WAS IT A JUST QUICK AUDITION AND IN?

WIN: I was so grateful to even be able to audition for such a large role in a project. It was a pretty big step up for me when it comes to the size of roles in this size of project.

ON HER AUDITION TAPE.

“I really went all out on my audition tape. It wasn’t the standard plain background. I went out and shot a short small film almost. I knew that Zack would probably see it personally. I thought–

“I want him to know how seriously I take this. And what I feel the audition deserves in terms of my efforts.”

I really just didn’t want to leave any page unturned when it came to making my intentions known

There were no callbacks or anything. John Papsidera, the casting director ended up sending my tape right to Zack. A few weeks later they told me the good news.

THE CAST WAS VERY FUN. CLOSE-KNIT?

WIN: Mm-hm. Yes. A hundred percent. I think it was a lovely surprise in that regard as well. Many of us came from different countries. We have different cultural backgrounds. Different accents.

We really were such a diverse group of people that I think there was a question mark in how will we all fit?

DIVERSE CAST.

All of those differences ended up being the very thing that united us. There was no one person struggling when it came to a joke being told, and not quite getting it. Or struggles with dialect in our work.

Or not understanding references to pop culture. It was something that each person struggled with, in a small way on their own. It was something that we could openly admit. And everyone was, like:

“Oh, yeah! I didn’t understand this. Or that. Or–it was just a lovely supportive group that was united in our differences. Which I think is kind of symbolic of where the world is moving as a whole.”

It was a really helpful, wonderful feeling on set.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO REPRESENT CANADIAN/CHINESE WOMEN? THAT’S AMAZING. THAT’S A BIG STEP.

WIN: One hundred percent. I feel honored to be able to. As a person of color and a minority, of course, this is a huge opportunity. Being Canadian, I do feel that sometimes, Canadians skate by and no one really knows that we’re Canadian. Because we share the same accent–most of the time. And very similar culture.

“We have the same celebrities and icons. We’re in the same world as the US. Making it publically known that I’m Canadian is something that I’m proud of because people don’t necessarily think that at first glance.”

I live in Los Angeles. I’m in the film industry. I could very easily just be American.

CANADA AND A SMALL TOWN.

WIN: “If you love your country, it’s a good feeling to be able to represent it. Especially coming from a small town. Getting old friends and other people from my town reaching out to say that they’ve seen the movie, is such a warm feeling in my heart.”

ASIAN HERITAGE.

WIN: I was so happy that Army of The Dead was coming out during Asian-American heritage month. There was so much spotlight on Asians in the industry (well, not necessarily just in the industry.)

It was really cool to be a part of this film that came out in the month where everyone thinking about it. Having a Greek/ Filipino lead. (Dave Bautista). Hiroyuki Sanada (Japanese.) And Chinese/Canadian.

That’s three people in the main cast with Asian heritage.

THIS PROJECT HAD A DREAM TEAM.

WIN: That is so rare that I felt extremely proud of, not just the cast and the film as a whole, but of the casting director. And Zack and Debbie (Deborah Snyder, Zack’s wife and producer of Army). The people that make the decisions. And made it possible for something like this.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GUZE AND “OLI”

Lorette Sidenote: We discussed the first name of CHAMBERS, which has been defaulted via the internet, to Oliana “Oli” Chambers. Sam is down with that!

WIN: The very first day that we (Raúl Castillo) were on camera, in the hair and makeup trailer. I was really grateful that Raúl came over and he wanted to talk about backstories, and where potentially our characters came up in the world. What the history there is.

We both–it’s not written in the script. We both agreed that there was a really strong familial kind of bond there. It does seem like it’s stronger than the average friendship. Stronger than if they were just a couple. We think that they probably have known each other since young children.

Because of hard circumstances in their lives, they really had to lean on each other as family. One of the reasons why that felt so right for Chambers–the scene right outside of the liquor store when Guzman’s character’s being introduced.

CHAMBERS AND LA FAMILIA.

WIN: I know that I’m not actually Latina. Everyone was riffing in Spanish. Everyone else there was of Spanish or Mexican heritage. They were speaking it. Me being Chinese/Canadian, I felt that I couldn’t necessarily participate. If that’s the circumstance I’m in. I’m representing (I assumed), a character of Chinese heritage.

I wasn’t playing–you, know–necessarily. (On Chambers not being Latina.) I thought:

“How lonely of a life would Chambers really have that her family doesn’t even necessarily speak the same language. These are the people that she feels closest to and the strongest bond to.”

NO GREED HERE, FOLKS. SCREW THE VAULT.

That friendship was born out of necessity, and they’re family. There’s no question about it and that’s why they’re moving through together. That’s why Chambers doesn’t even have a rate that’s negotiated.

I really firmly believe that she was there because:

“If Guzman’s gonna’ go, she wants to make sure that somebody has his back.”

THE HAND ON THE SHOULDER, ETC. I NOTICE THOSE LITTLE THINGS.

WIN: The comfort. The brother/sister kind of gesture.

DO YOU SEE THEM AS MORE OF A BROTHER AND SISTER THAN A COUPLE?

WIN: Personally when we were coming up with it. It seemed like a stronger bond. Family is a stronger feeling as an actor. Nope, that’s just the preparation that the actors do. I appreciate anything the fans like to see in that. Anytime a person can get emotionally involved in characters, I think is a great thing.

GETTING STARTED OUT IN STUNTS, THIS MUST HAVE BEEN A BALL FOR YOU. IT LOOKED REALLY FUN.

WIN: Yeah! Especially given the fact that Damon Caro (the second unit director), was the stunt coordinator on Sucker Punch. He was who I was working for. Who I was learning from, and who I consider my mentor from age seventeen.

It was really neat to be able to work with Damon on this production. The fight choreographer(s) Wayne Dalglish, I also worked with since Sucker Punch. And Matthew Rugetti.

These working relationships have been forged over a decade and are understanding of each other. Each other’s timing. Movement is so clear at this point that I think it was a really fun world for us to explore because they knew exactly what my wheelhouse of strengths were, and how to play to that.

“We were able to work together like a well-oiled machine in a way that I think wouldn’t have been possible without all of those years of working together prior.”

We accomplished a lot more than we would have been able to, have we not had all of that experience.

GIRL, YOU JUMPED OUT A WINDOW!

WIN: And they let me do it!

ON WHAT THE GLASS WAS

WIN: It was, like, a melted sugar. It does break into smaller pieces and if you step on it, it turns to powder. It’s much safer. Hence why they let me do it.

“Because I’ve jumped through tempered glass, and other glass! Where you do get cut, as a stunt woman. Prior. As an actress, that’s not a good idea.”

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO DIE (SPOILER: CHAMBERS GOES OUT WITH A BANG)?

WIN: I didn’t miss surviving. Especially knowing the script ahead of time. And spoiler alert: almost everyone dies. It was more about how you go out, in my mind for this kind of film.

I felt so grateful that I got to go out the way I did. I really did feel a sense of honor. I felt because there was such a strong friendship with Guzman, people would feel an actual loss. A character to mourn them.

ON CONTINUING THE STORY

The badass way I get to fight to the very death. I was really happy with my death. It never occurred to me to ask to survive for it. I’ve died onscreen so many times in other projects, it wasn’t a scary foreign concept for me.

“I do know that there can be more if that’s what they wish, the world is our oyster when it comes to storytelling. Almost anything is possible.”

We see that over and over in other franchises. It’s not too big of a concern.

THE TIMELOOP THEORY?

WIN: Yeah. I didn’t even think about that until–I’m sure that Zack keeps the grand scheme plans more private with the writers. It’s something that really I’m not in the loop with. To hear about that on Twitter…

“Oh! Maybe!” (chin stroking gesture)

HELLO VASQUEZ BANDANA. (ALIENS)

WIN: Most definitely! In my mind Chambers probably has a poster of Aliens on her wall.

“This is the woman that I wanna’ be!” (as Chambers)

One hundred percent.

OLI’S A 90’S KID! The choker, hoops, Babygirl necklace, G-Shock watch, gummy bracelets.

WIN: One of the most fun parts of the experience was that initial wardrobe fitting with Stephanie Porter (costume designer). She had fifty outfits from the nineties and I was having such major nostalgia.

ON LOVING THE COSTUMES.

“Oh! I wanna’–can I keep this one!? Where did you buy this? Where can I buy this one? Can I buy this one from you? And I just wanted to buy all of the clothes. They were so cool.”

THE GUZMAN INTRO SCENE COSTUME.

WIN: In the liquor store scene you can’t see–my full outfit isn’t clear. But I had these UGG fuzzy slipper-shoes. They were slippers but those were my shoes. And this purple silk getup, with a visor.

“I haven’t worn a visor in so long!”

AND A FANNYPACK!

WIN: Actually, I think I was wearing one in that scene! I think so.

DID YOU GET TO KEEP ANY OF THE CLOTHES?

WIN: No. I didn’t. I could have asked, I suppose. I’m such a goodie-two-shoes, I never want to inconvenience people. I went out and I bought the same watch that Chambers wears. This clear G-Shock watch. I went out afterward and I bought one for myself.

“This feels right!”

CHAMBERS ISN’T JUST A TOUGH GIRL.

WIN: I’m glad that was coming across. That was also a personal journey for me at the time. Coming from a martial arts background. With brothers. I don’t have any sisters. Very male men. And then having a stunt career, another male-dominated athletic career.

I was just at the age of–what was I? Twenty-eight at the time. Coming into my femininity. Because of the hoops that I wore as Chambers, that was when I started personally wearing jewelry. I didn’t wear jewelry until then.

“I feel like Chambers is different. Chambers was an evolved person for me. She had style. She wore makeup. She wore hoops. The choker. Crop top. But she was no less badass because of it.”

That was something that I learned from the character work and then tried to bring into my own personal life now. The benefits of being an actor!

HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANY WEIRD FAN ENCOUNTERS?

(Note: She loves her fanbase aside from one or two of the creepy ones, so don’t send her weird things. Send her uplifting positive messages! She is such a sweetheart!)

WIN: Yes! Mostly on Army of the Dead. During a pandemic, and so there’s not a whole lot of in-person reactions. A lot of them are just weird messages. Or weird DM attempts. Inappropriate gifts. Inappropriate photos.

BEING RESPECTFUL ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

WIN: “To anyone reading. No one ever wants your inappropriate photos. It doesn’t do anything but make them think you’re a little bit disgusting. And makes me feel like you don’t have enough respect for me to treat me like you would, perhaps seeing me on the street. To anyone, that is never welcomed.”

HER GENERAL FANBASE IS LOVELY.

WIN: “For every one of those, there are twenty very lovely encounters from people that are, just, fans of the film. Or fans of my past work. Fans of the outfits. Costumes. Just wanting to express how they felt the moment where my character dies.”

AND PEOPLE ARE REALLY UPSET OVER THAT.

WIN: And sometimes in really funny ways. “Yo’ you were a straight-up G (gangster)! Pop, pop!” This is hilarious. I love reading things like that! People have such different personalities. Most of the time it is wonderful.

FAVORITE ZOMBIE MOVIE?

WIN: Ooh! Personally? 28 Days Later A tie between 28 Days Later and Zombieland. I love how 28 Days Later crafted a different–it was a different kind of zombie film. There was suspense. A really dramatic story within. It was so up-close and personal.

I was so attached to the character (Jim played by Cillian Murphy) and the journey and trying to figure everything out.

They (zombies) were terrifying in that movie. I was truly terrified as the audience. I felt like I could really live it through the main character. I really appreciated that.

ZOMBIELAND

WIN: Zombieland on the other side was one of the first where it was just pure fun. Mostly comedy. It was mostly a comedy set in a zombie backdrop. It was one of the first times I personally experienced it. It was awesome. I watched it in the theater and the energy in the room was just contagious. We all had a good time.

Note: SHOUTOUT TO MY FRIEND NIKI KOSS WHO PLAYED CHLOE IN SCOUTS GUIDE (ZOMBIE COMEDY), WHICH I DID SUGGEST TO SAM. Also: SHAUN OF THE DEAD. Three zombie comedies! Don’t forget the Zombieland sequel!

COULD YOU SURVIVE A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR WEAPON OF CHOICE?

WIN: “Ooh! The humble side of me: “Oh, no! I would be the first one to die! No, no, no.” The truth of it is that I am a survivor. I would find a way. I would not go down very easily. I would like to think that I’d die like Chambers. At least give them a good fight, and it would take a lot of them.”

WIN: Weapon of choice would be.. I’m gonna’ lean away from guns or explosives or anything like that. I want a barbarian style.

YOU’LL GO OUT WITH A BANG AGAIN.

WIN: I know! (laughs). I’m scarred. I’m not carrying gas canisters.

I would go with double broadswords. You have two. You have range from a distance. You can still use them closer to you. Two things, two thrusts to get some brains. You can just slice heads right off! There’s a lot of options with double broadswords.

It was something that I trained in, in my previous martial arts, Wushu. I’m familiar with it! I could handle that!

FAVORITE CAREER PROJECTS: SNOW STEAM IRON.

WIN: In terms of my personal journey on it, would be Snow Steam Iron. It was the first time working with Zack as a lead and the nature of the short film was so emotional and such an intimate story.

“It was with friends and family that we were shooting with. It felt like a very special project. I grew a lot as an artist. I felt so emotionally connected to everyone that it made the experience very special to me.”

WONDER WOMAN

In terms of what I’m most proud of, I would probably say Wonder Woman. Because of its impact on women around the world. Kids around the world. It was received in a very uplifting way that I felt like it, in a way, helped the world.

For that reason, I’m so proud.

MORTAL KOMBAT: LEGACY

WIN: Mortal Kombat: Legacy was my first big one. That will always hold a special part in my heart. Since then I have been able to be considered for more acting roles and larger roles.

“I still get sweet messages from Mortal Kombat: Legacy fans. It was something that came to resonate with people. It was a first for me.”

SUCKER PUNCH

WIN: In terms of, the experience and the friendships. The cast and the crew. Sucker Punch. I learned so much on that movie. I was seventeen/eighteen. I was working with all people that were masters at what they do. I was just trying to soak up everything I possibly could have.

Jena Malone (Rocket) is the sweetest human being, who I stunt doubled-on.

Sucker Punch is very special to me. It’s where I met the Snyders. My first time working with Damon Caro. Just everything wonderful. My first long run of a movie. First time working in a different part of the world by myself as an adult.

ARMY OF THE DEAD

WIN: Career-wise, Army of the Dead has been the most exciting. The first time I got to see myself on a billboard! My character art. So much cosplay!

COSPLAY CHAMBERS BECAUSE SHE DIGS IT.

WIN: I did experience cosplay before. There’s something more special about it because I feel like in Mortal Kombat: Legacy, Kitana cosplay–Kitana as a character is really the one people are dressing up as.

There have been so many renditions of her that I’ve, in a way, detached personal responsibility for that and appreciated her.

I myself as well.

Chambers is someone I’ve only gotten to play so far. So it feels unique to me and it’s something that when I see I feel more emotional about when I see women in Chambers cosplay now. And it’s a first for me and it’s a very exciting time!

WHAT’S NEXT FOR UPCOMING PROJECTS?

WIN (speaking in a general sense): What’s next for me is more of these kinds of roles in larger projects. I would really love to stay in this world for a while.

Get my feet under me, more experience working with different actors and different environments. And getting to experience taking people on an emotional journey with my character.

A lot of times I’ve served a specific purpose within a script in an action scene. As a specific kind of character.

“It’s fun being able to craft characters through scenes throughout an entire film. So I’d love to be able to experience more of that. While at the same time, honing my craft in other ways.”

ON PRODUCING, WRITING IN THE FUTURE.

WIN: I am a fan of storytelling. Eventually, I would love to be part of more of the behind-the-scenes storytelling. Whichever capacity that looks like, whether it’s writing or producing.

DIRECTING?

WIN: Perhaps! We’ll see! I want to pay more attention to that while I’m taking on more of these roles. I want to be studying as much as I can, the people around me, and see which other ways I might fit into a crew or a production. To see what else is fun!