Esai Morales Talks ‘Jarhead 2: Field Of Fire’ DVD Release And Inspiration Behind Taking The Role

Esai Morales rose to fame in the 1987 biopic “La Bamba,” the actor who was only 24 years old at the time portrayed Bob Morales, the ex-convict and half-brother of Ritchie Valens. Following a few more films where Morales played supporting roles, he found success on “NYPD Blue” from 2001 until 2004. Even though the actor decided to leave the show, and his role as Lieutenant Tony Rodriguez behind, he had found his niche in Hollywood and after his successful portrayal on “NYPD Blue” Morales went on to appear in “Vanished” as Agent Michael Tyner, then in “Jericho” as Major Edward Beck and most recently in “Criminal Minds” as fan favorite Section Chief Mateo Cruz. So when the script for “Jarhead 2: Field of Fire” came to his attention, Esai Morales stated that it was a “simple and quick” decision to take part in the film.

“Jarhead 2: Field of Fire” premieres on DVD and Blu-ray on August 19, and is not just a typical war story, in fact there is more to the film then initially meets the eye. “Jarhead 2” is not a direct sequel from the 2005 film starring Jake Gyllenhaal, but instead inspired by the story and moves the action from Desert Storm to the war in Afghanistan. Instead of the psychological waiting game experienced by Marines in the original “Jarhead” film, this time around theses Marines are “battle scarred and disillusioned by war.” Esai Morales plays Captain Jones, who along with his fellow marines is charged with the task of resupplying a remote outpost on “on the edge of Taliban-controlled territory.”

Morales explains that his role is a “supporting role,” in the film but while filming the “true war film” he not only meet terrific actors but made new friends on set. Morales stated that his role was not that large in the “Jarhead 2: Field of Fire,” only taking “2-days to shoot” but it had meaning. He took the role for a specific reason. “I wanted to get out there and honor the Marines,” he said. In the film, while Jones and his fellow Marines, including Corporal Chris Merriman played by Josh Kelly, are on their mission to resupply the outpost they are abruptly stopped in the notably hostile Hemland province by a Navy SEAL, played by Cole Hauser. Instead of simply being “supply” Marines, now they are tasked with an “operation of international importance.”

Morales clarified that he took the role in an attempt “to pay homage” to life and sacrifice of Marines. And the film accomplishes just that. The task Morales on-screen team is asked to help is the transfer of an Afghan woman, who is famous for her defiance against the Taliban and is desperately attempting to escape Afghanistan and the Taliban’s reach. The film celebrates the true devotion of member of the armed services, and the emphasizes “courage and patriotism of the men and women in the U.S. Marines.”

Joining Esai Morales in “Jarhead 2: Field of Fire” is Josh Kelly, who plays protagonist Corporal Chris Merriman. Kelly brought his real world training and experiences to the film; he served three tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq as an Army Ranger before starting his acting career. The film also features, Cassie Layton, Stephen Lang, Chad Mountain, and Bookem Woodbine.