He plays Charlie Crowe, a radio DJ who unravels a conspiracy about encounters with the eponymous, mysterious beings. These Shadow People were the cause of hundreds of unexplained deaths. He encounters CDC Epidemic Intelligence Agent Sophie Lancombe (Allison Eastwood), whose investigations entwine her with Charlies own discoveries leading them both into a dark world and a decades old cover-up.
Inside, Roberts talks briefly about the film. Naturally, we couldn’t help but inquire about his involvement in The Walking Dead and the forthcoming season three finale. His answer is pretty great.
Shock Till You Drop: When the project was first pitched to you, did you know the format the director was going to take to tell this story?
Dallas Roberts: I knew there was some footage and I knew we were going to dramatize the footage, or dramatize the story I should say. I chose to block out the footage and concetrate on the scripted story to have a handle on it from the inside and not aproximated it from the outside.
Shock: Did the director show you anything that helped inform your understanding Shadow People – did any of that material perhaps chill you and maybe question their actual existence?
Roberts: We would all talk about it while we were making the film. Once you even to get involved in the research and the reading, people – me included – start to see things out of the corner of your eye. Once you start to sate your curiosity, I can say I had some chilling moments where I felt I had to turn the lights back on. I took it like any rational fear that was starting to manifest itself in my mind. Not the paralysis necessarily but the “Did I just see something?” I found that fascinating.
Shock: What helped you find the radio DJ persona?
Roberts: I like the world weariness of him. He lived in mid-market radio for his entire career and he’s a guy who is just a master of his place in the world. A lot less successful than he wanted to be but he’s in control of his radio studio. I found that to be an exciting thing. When they put a good quality mic in front of you and put headphones on, you find that voice.
Shock: Now, before this interview, one of my readers said she’s absolutely terrified of Shadow People and claims to have seen one. Would you recommend she check the film out?
Roberts: It’s not Freddy Krueger, man. People have experienced this. I’m not sure I would recommend this movie to people who have experienced this. I’m not saying that because I’m promoting this. But because it is a psychological condition that has been recognized for hundreds of years, I’m not sure what we’re dealing with here either. If they already know to not go near the movie, don’t…
Shock: What’s scarier, Shadow People or zombies…
Roberts: Shadow People definitely. Zombies are going to be scary, but until the outbreak actually happens, I’ve yet to actually be frightened by zombies. Shadow People, if you start to let that in, it begins to scare you.
Shock: We’re closing in on the big Walking Dead finale. How crazy is it going to get?
Roberts: I bet that when the screen goes black at the end of season three, no one will have guessed what has just happened. There’s going to be a million mouths agape when it goes to black.
Shock: Everybody dies!
Roberts: Everybody dies, everybody comes back as a zombie, then a UFO comes down and saves everyone.
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