Photo Credit: Tommy Flanagan
At just 12 years old, Alabama native Grant Feely is again captivating audiences with his remarkable talent in Warner Brothers’ latest action film GUNNER. Feely starred alongside Hollywood heavyweights Luke Hemsworth and Morgan Freeman, portraying a central character in the story of a father, played by Hemsworth, whose children are kidnapped by a dangerous criminal gang. This intense, high-stakes drama sees Feely step into a pivotal role that showcases his depth as an actor and solidifies his place as a rising star.
Feely first made a name for himself in Hollywood when he portrayed young Luke Skywalker in Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series, acting alongside Ewan McGregor. His portrayal of the iconic character was widely praised, instantly drawing the attention of Star Wars fans and industry insiders alike. Since then, Feely has built an impressive and diverse resume, seamlessly transitioning between different genres.
From his role as a ghost kid in the horror adaptation Five Nights at Freddy’s to playing Timmy in the Shudder original series Creepshow, Feely has proven himself as a versatile young actor. Whether it’s science fiction, horror, drama, or action, his ability to bring complex characters to life has made him one of Hollywood’s most promising emerging talents.
Photo Credit: Tommy Flanagan
Now, after his powerful performance in GUNNER, Feely’s career is set to reach new heights. His upcoming projects include THE MOVERS, a surreal horror thriller in which he stars alongside industry veterans Terrence Howard, Jena Malone, and Christopher Lloyd. He will also take the lead in DEVOTEE, a chilling horror film that follows the story of a boy uncovering dark secrets about his mother, further establishing his place in the horror genre.
Born in Georgia and currently residing in Birmingham, Alabama, Feely’s path to stardom began at seven after being inspired by the hit show Stranger Things. This passion for storytelling ignited his love for acting, and he quickly embarked on a journey that has brought him to where he is today. Beyond acting, Feely enjoys writing, reading, cooking, and traveling, with aspirations to one day write and direct his own projects. His favorite shows—Stranger Things, Cobra Kai, and Raising Dion—have fueled his creative ambitions, allowing him to channel that energy into the roles he takes on.
StarCentral Kids recently caught up with Grant to discuss his journey in the industry, and here’s what went down:
Grant, you’ve had the incredible opportunity to portray young Luke Skywalker in Obi-Wan Kenobi and now star alongside Luke Hemsworth and Morgan Freeman in Gunner. How has your experience in these diverse roles shaped your understanding of acting at such a young age?
These roles have helped me appreciate how tough acting is. Being a good actor requires you to work to get into your character’s head. You have to pull from your life experiences, and if you don’t have many to pull from, you have to find a place within yourself to create the emotions required of your character. It is a lot of work!
Photo Credit: Tommy Flanagan
Your role in Gunner is intense, playing a kidnapped child in a high-stakes action film. How did you prepare for this role, and what was it like working with seasoned actors like Luke Hemsworth and Morgan Freeman?
I have been kidnapped in a few of my other roles, so I feel like I know how to get into that mind space now. I think the fear of being kidnapped is common for kids, so it was easy to be afraid in that scenario. Unfortunately, I never actually met Morgan Freeman. He finished his scenes before I started filming. Working with Luke and other seasoned actors, I have seen how more experienced actors handle themselves on set and transition in front of the camera. Luke Hemsworth was a lot of fun to work with. He jokes around and keeps the mood on set light when the cameras aren’t rolling but is in full professional mode when they are.
Photo Credit: Tommy Flanagan
You’ve worked in a wide range of genres – from science fiction to horror, and now action. Which genre do you enjoy the most, and do you find any one of them more challenging than the others?
The horror genre is my favorite and the most challenging to portray. Evil characters are more complex, I think, and that makes them more difficult and fun for an actor.
You’re also starring in upcoming projects like The Movers and Devotee. Can you give us a sneak peek into these films and your role in them? What excites you most about these projects?
The Movers is a psychological thriller about a family who has been killed by an intruder in their home. They go to an intermediate world where the intruder (also killed) tries to send my character to the underworld in exchange for himself. The Movers also stars Jena Malone, Terrence Howard, and Christopher Lloyd. The most exciting part of this movie is the complex storyline. I cannot wait to see how it turns out.
Devotee is a short film about a boy (me) discovering his mother is part of a cult. I was the central character, and my reactions to this discovery and my interaction with my mom in the film are crucial to the development. It has been exciting to see how well this film has been received at film festivals. It has already been accepted to four film festivals this fall, and I am hopeful to make the red carpet for at least one.
You were inspired to start acting at just seven years old after watching Stranger Things. How did that show influence your love for acting, and what steps did you take to pursue your passion from that moment?
Watching the behind-the-scenes videos of this show really got me interested and made me think I would like to act. I started taking acting lessons at a local acting school (Acting Out! Academy), and things just expanded from there.
Besides acting, you have interests in writing, reading, cooking, and traveling. How do these hobbies contribute to your growth as a young actor, and do they influence your approach to your roles?
I don’t feel like my other hobbies have influenced my approach to roles at all at this point in my career. Traveling helps me experience other cultures, making it more fun when I have to travel for work, but I haven’t had to draw from those experiences yet with my acting roles.
Photo Credit: Tommy Flanagan
You’ve had the chance to work alongside some of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, including Ewan McGregor and Morgan Freeman. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from these experiences, and how has it influenced your approach to acting?
Watching more experienced actors transition from off to on-camera has been interesting. They switch into a different person as soon as the camera is rolling, and the ease with which they do that is neat to see. They really know how to embody their characters, and that has taught me that I have to work to do the same if I want to be successful.
Looking ahead, you’ve mentioned wanting to write and direct your own productions. What kind of stories are you most excited to tell, and how do you see your future in the entertainment industry unfolding?
When I write, I like to write horror stories, but I hope to expand to other genres in the future. I would prefer to act and would love to continue acting. I don’t have a lot of control over that, though, so I hope people will continue to watch and enjoy my work!
Photo Credit: Tommy Flanagan / Photos Supplied by Anderson Group PR
