L: The realness is reflected in every detail. That’s when we asked the SEALS to consider actually being in the film. And that’s where the “true story” really emerged and we realized we couldn’t use actors. So we took five real events and we weaved them into one story line. We wanted you to identify with them as people – not military machines. If you notice, the entire first twenty minutes you won’t see a single uniform. That’s what led us to start the movie the way we did. I spent time with their families, and I spent time just watching and interacting with them. So I spent time in Coronado with the SEALS, and I listened to their stories. They said they didn’t have one, they just liked the idea. When they came to me with the idea I asked them about the storyline they had in mind. L: The story is “based on real events.” There’s so much sensitive information when you’re dealing with Special Operations forces. But they must’ve thought I was OK, because they approached me to do the movie and I was like “Um, let me think … hell yeah!” Or I may have used a different word… It’s never comfortable when the SEALS are checking you out. I had been doing action movies and military commercials for the Navy, the Air Force, and the Army, and they apparently checked me out.
Scott Waugh: It actually came from one of the SEALS.