Exclusive Interview — Jackson Rathbone talks Condor’s Nest
Tai Freligh chats with Condor’s Nest star Jackson Rathbone…
Actor, producer and musician Jackson Rathbone is best-known for his breakout role as Jasper Hale in The Twilight Saga film series has starred in over twenty-five motion pictures, including 2010’s blockbuster The Last Airbender. His recent credits include Mixtape and WarHunt. On television, Rathbone has made memorable guest turns on hit series including The O.C., Criminal Minds, No Ordinary Family and White Collar. He stars in Condor’s Nest, a film written and directed by Phil Blattenberger. I asked him about his role in the film as well as upcoming projects.
What attracted you to get involved with the Condor’s Nest film?
I liked the directors attitude and overall vibe. Also, getting to work with a legend like Michael Ironside was a huge factor for me.
What was your audition like?
They sent me an offer while I was vacating in Mexico. I was reading the script in between Margaritas and family pool time.
Tell me a bit about your character, Fritz Ziegler.
He’s a Hitler-Youth who has now grown up to seize command of his little Nazi group in South America. He’s a meth addict and has massive anger issues. He was a lot of fun to play, but also creeped me out. I hated that moustache look… shaved the second I wrapped.
What do you want people to take away from this movie?
In many ways, the film is an homage to classic WWII films and that holds a special place in my heart. I am a cinephile and grew up on those classic films. Hopefully the audience will also feel that sense of nostalgia.
What was that experience like to film a movie with COVID precautions on set? What did that look like?
I’ve been doing many projects now with COVID prep on set, and it hasn’t diminished the experience yet. Making a film is the best thing in the world. I love it. I’ll mask up or whatever I need to do in order to keep working in this business.
The film came out on January 27th. What has the reaction been so far?
Lots of love and good vibes! People seem to dig it. (My performance tends to creep people out a lot.)
What other projects do you have coming up?
I finished an action/thriller called The Island starring Michael Jai White, where I play his wisecracking best friend. We get to kick a lot of ass in that one …
Then I play in a sci-fi/horror film called Black Noise, where I star alongside Alex Pettyfer as a group of Ex-Marines combatting an otherworldly threat during a routine rescue operation.
Also — my first romantic comedy starring role in Books & Drinks, about a New Yorker who owns a failing bookstore who comes into a large inheritance, only he has to go to the Dominican Republic to claim it… once there, he falls in love, instigating a hilarious and endearing love triangle (or square).
Finally, is there a question you wish someone would ask you, but never has? If so, what, and what is your answer?
No one ever asks about my favorite films of the past year … on my list would be :: Decision to Leave, Tár, RRR, Triangle of Sadness, Something in the Dirt, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Nope, X, and The Banshees of Inisherin.
It was a great year for films!
American war veteran Will Spalding (Jacob Keohane) has tracked the sadistic Nazi Colonel who executed his bomber crew during WWII to a remote location in South America. But he is in for more than he bargained for when he uncovers a secret Nazi headquarters known as the Condor’s Nest.
The film is written and directed by Phil Blattenberger and stars Jacob Keohane, Al Pagano, Corinne Britti, James Urbaniak, with Jackson Rathbone, and Jorge Garcia, and Bruce Davison, and Michael Ironside, and Arnold Vosloo.
Condor’s Nest is available now in theaters, on demand, and on digital.
Many thanks to Jackson Rathbone for taking the time to chat. He can be found on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Tai Freligh writes about entertainment and pop culture for Flickering Myth from sunny Huntington Beach, California…just a hop and a skip from Los Angeles. He can be found on Twitter and TikTok and his website.
PHOTOS: Saban Films
