Zachary Levi Opens Up About Intense Water Tank Filming

The upcoming survival drama Not Without Hope brings to life one of the most harrowing maritime disasters in recent memory - the 2009 boating accident that claimed the lives of NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith, leaving only Nick Schuyler to tell their story. Director Joe Carnahan's film demanded extraordinary commitment from its cast, who spent weeks submerged in Malta's unforgiving water tanks to capture the authentic terror of being lost at sea.

The Mental Challenge of Method Acting

Zachary Levi, who portrays survivor Nick Schuyler, spoke candidly about the psychological demands of the role. The actor acknowledged the delicate balance required when channeling such intense trauma for the screen.

"It's incredibly important. I'm not sure I do it that well all the time, depending on the story. This is the most intense film I've been a part of, particularly in terms of the subject matter," Levi explained. "When you're an actor, you are tasting and experiencing a fraction of what actually went down in the real moments that Nick and Marquis and Corey and Will were experiencing."

The physical demands of the Malta shoot created an unexpectedly authentic bonding experience among the cast members. "Still, because of the extremes that we were going through in this water tank together, and the bonding experience that was, having to look at each one of these guys as they were 'dying' and having to let go of them and assess that in my own heart and mind... It's mildly traumatic," Levi continued.

Honoring the Memory of Lost Lives

For the actors portraying the men who didn't survive, the responsibility felt even heavier. Quentin Plair, who plays Marquis Cooper, emphasized his commitment to treating the subject matter with utmost respect.

"I think the most important goal for me was to not make things any worse for the family members and friends of Marquis who are still here. I took that very, very seriously," Plair shared. "Anytime you're dealing with a true story that is as traumatic as this one, you just take it with the most sensitive gloves that you can."

Terrence Terrell, portraying Corey Smith, found some creative freedom in the relative privacy of his character's life. "I feel like I had more freedom than Zach, because Corey, as I said, is not as famous. There was no video, and nobody really... he wasn't a public figure as big as Nick is now, thanks to the book."

Marshall Cook, who plays Will Bleakley, drew from personal connections and limited online resources to build his portrayal. "Will didn't have a huge digital footprint. I approached it with what I could find online, what I could discuss with Nick as his friend, what was on the page, and then who I was at that time in my life," Cook explained.

A Career Shift Toward Human Stories

Levi's recent filmography reveals a deliberate move away from big-budget superhero projects toward more intimate tales of human resilience. When asked about this transition from roles like Shazam! to deeply personal narratives, the actor reflected on his own need for inspiration.

"I think that when given the opportunity to tell a story that inspires, if you can make people laugh or cry or jump, but also inspire them in some way to remind them of the strength of the human spirit that we all have within us, the ability to overcome any number of obstacles, it's something I need to remind myself of constantly," Levi said.

The actor admitted his own ongoing struggles with gratitude and self-doubt, crediting therapy for helping him understand these patterns. "I still struggle with a lack of gratitude. I still look at other people in my profession and go, 'Oh man, if I were just there or I just had this.' I get down on myself. A lot of that is, as I've unpacked in lots and lots of therapy, just childhood trauma."

Projects like Unbreakable Boy, American Underdog, Sarah's Oil, and Not Without Hope have found their way to Levi organically. "These were offers that came to me and scripts that I read, and they resonated because they were powerful. I felt like these were stories that were worthy of being told," he concluded.