Omar Sy & Cara Gee Interview: The Call of the Wild

The Call of the Wild will bring Jack London’s classic adventure novel to life when it arrives in theaters on February 21. But before Buck can explore the Alaskan Yukon with his final master Jack Thornton (Harrison Ford), he first goes through a series of dynamics with people from all walks of life.

One of his first major encounters is with a pair of mail drivers named Francois and Perrault, who make him part of a sled team that teaches him the basics of leadership. Omar Sy and Cara Gee, who play the couple in question, spoke to Screen Rant about their role in the film and their experience working with Buck’s actor, Terry Notary.

Amazing job on this film. I knew that as soon as there’s a dog involved, it was gonna get me right in the feels. I didn’t even put this together; this is eighth grade reading for me. I remember reading this book when I was a kid. What attracted you to The Call of the Wild?

Cara Gee: I mean, this is a dream role of a lifetime for me. There’s everything; everything that could possibly attract you to a role attracted me to the role. I’ve got a great character to play, Harrison Ford, Omar Sy, you know?

It’s a dream. It’s a dream. The imagination and the physical challenges of the role were really fun. We got to play; we got to joke and laugh. It was a dream.

Sledding is something that I don’t think I’d be very good at. But let’s talk about some of the challenges in training that went into you guys looking like pro-sledders out there.

Cara Gee: Pros? We’ll take it.

Was that a difficult challenge, learning how to do that stuff?

Cara Gee: Yeah, it was challenging.

Omar Sy: Yeah, of course. It’s not easy, because it goes very, very fast. And the main issue is there is no dogs. So, being in the sled without dogs –

Cara Gee: Being pulled by a rope!

Omar Sy: It was kind of wondering at the beginning, but at the end it was like you said, like being on a rollercoaster every day. It was so fun at the end.

One thing you brought up is that there aren’t any dogs. I love the fact that they kind of humanized the dogs with the looks on their faces, because it makes them real characters. Can you talk to me about the challenges, whether it be harder or easier, playing with no dogs, essentially?

Cara Gee: Well, we were very fortunate to have Terry Notary play Buck. And he was incredible. He’s an incredible actor, and an amazing human being. He gives us everything. Everything that you see Buck doing, he was doing the motions.

Omar Sy: Yeah, and I think there was no way to do that without him, because you cannot recreate the bond between Buck and Francois and Perrault without that. Because a tennis ball cannot give you that. He was Buck, you know. Looking into your eyes and [having] that connection, you cannot recreate that. There’s something that has to happen, and hopefully we have him.

In the first part of this movie, you guys are very impactful with Buck’s training and his affection towards humans. Talk to me about what role your characters play in Buck’s storyline.

Cara Gee: Well, I think that sort of the function of these characters in the context of the story is that Buck bounces off of us to become a better version of himself. So yeah, you said it, that we’re like the mom and dad. I think that’s so it.

Omar Sy: Yeah, yeah. And they give him the confidence to move forward and become who he has to become. And I think we all need that in our lives, and we are so happy and proud to be that for him. And we are so proud, because we saw his babies, you know?

Cara Gee: We’re proud grandparents. We’re grandparents!

Omar, it was just announced earlier today from The Hollywood Reporter that you’re going to be appearing in Jurassic World 3. Can you talk to me about your excitement about reteaming with Colin Trevorrow in that world?

Cara Gee: Congratulations! That’s so fun.

Omar Sy: I’m so happy to come back and to work with Colin again, because he’s an amazing film director and he’s a he’s a cool guy. I love him; he’s a genius for me. He’s very, very smart and talented. I’m so happy to work again with Chris Pratt, and I just want to sing, “Reunited, and it feels so good…”