We had the pleasure of interviewing Randy Charach, the talented actor who plays the lead role of Jack Finley in Jared Cohn’s highly anticipated action-thriller Vanished. The film stars Charach alongside David Chokachi , Richard Grieco , Rampage Jackson , Laurie Fortier and Natalie Burn. Filming was completed last month in Los Angeles and at present the film is currently in post-production aiming for a Cannes 2025 release.
Q: Let’s start with Vanished—what is this film about and your impression reading the script?
Vanished is an intense action-thriller that follows Jack Finley, a high-powered defense contractor whose world is turned upside down when his daughter is kidnapped. The film dives deep into the desperation, strategic mind, and sheer force a father will unleash to protect his family. But beyond the action, it’s also a gripping story about redemption, sacrifice, and the moral complexities of power and corruption.
When I first read the script, I was immediately drawn to its fast-paced narrative and layered characters. It’s not just about fist fights and shootouts; it has emotional weight. The stakes are incredibly high, and many of the characters operate in shades of gray—there’s no clear black-and-white morality here. That complexity made Vanished stand out to me as more than just an action film; it’s a story that keeps you thinking long after the credits roll.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your character and what drew you to this role?
I play Jack Finley, a former military officer turned defense contractor who built an empire in a highly controversial industry. He’s wealthy, powerful, and used to being in control—until his daughter is taken, and suddenly, he’s in the most vulnerable position of his life. What drew me to this role was the transformation Jack undergoes. He starts as this confident, almost untouchable figure and a family man, but as the story unfolds, we see his facade crack. He’s a husband and a father before anything else, and the lengths he goes to in bringing his daughter home push him beyond his limits—physically, emotionally, and morally.
My producing partner and director, Jared Cohn, and I were fascinated by the balance of power and desperation in Jack. He’s not a traditional action hero; he’s flawed, calculating, and sometimes makes questionable decisions. Playing a character with so many layers was an exciting challenge, and I knew this was a role into which I could really sink my teeth into.
Q: The film features a solid ensemble cast, including Rampage Jackson, Richard Grieco, and David Chokachi. What was it like working with such a talented group?
It was an absolute blast. When you’re surrounded by seasoned actors like Rampage, Richard, and David, it pushes you to bring your A-game every single day. Rampage brings this raw intensity to the screen, but off-camera, he’s one of the funniest, most down-to-earth people you’ll meet. Richard Grieco is a legend—his presence alone commands attention, and he has this way of making every scene he’s in feel electric. David Chokachi, too, is just a total professional—his discipline and dedication to the craft were inspiring. The entire cast was amazing to work with.
What made working with this cast special was the energy on set. Everyone had a deep respect for the story we were telling, and we all fed off each other’s performances. There was this unspoken camaraderie, especially in the more intense scenes, that made the whole experience incredibly rewarding.
Q: What was the most physically demanding moment you faced during filming?
There were quite a few, but one scene in particular stands out. Without giving too much away, there’s a sequence where Jack is in a brutal hand-to-hand fight in a confined space, and we wanted to make it feel as real and intense as possible. The choreography was tight, the stakes were high, and we were shooting it over and over in the rain. I wake up the next morning feeling like I had been in an actual fight.
Beyond the physical stunts, though, the sheer energy required to sustain Jack’s level of desperation and determination throughout the film was its own challenge. While playing a character who’s operating on pure adrenaline and emotion for most of the film, I had to stay in that mindset for long stretches, which was exhausting—but in the best way possible.
Q: What do you hope audiences will take away from Vanished?
At its core, Vanished is about how far a person will go to protect the ones they love. It’s a high-octane thriller, but there’s also an emotional depth that I think audiences will connect with. I hope people walk away feeling the weight of Jack’s journey—not just the action but the moral dilemmas he faces along the way.
There’s also an underlying commentary on power and corruption and how the decisions we make in our careers can come back to haunt us in ways we never expected. I think it will leave audiences asking themselves, “What would I do in that situation?”—which, to me, is the sign of a great film.
Q: Can you share any behind-the-scenes stories or moments that really stood out to you during production?
One of my favorite moments was during a particularly intense scene where we were filming a chase sequence at night. The adrenaline was high, the stakes were real, and everything was set up for a perfect shot—until one of the crew members, who was off-camera, tripped over a lighting cable and sent an entire rig crashing down. It was one of those moments where everyone froze for a second, and then we all just burst into laughter. It was a reminder that no matter how intense the story we’re telling is, the process of filmmaking is still this beautiful, chaotic, collaborative experience.
Another great moment was watching Rampage improvise some of his lines. He has such a unique presence and way of delivering dialogue that sometimes he’d throw in something unexpected, and we’d all struggle not to break character. Those moments of spontaneity made the set feel alive and kept us all on our toes.
Q: You’ve worked on a variety of projects, but Vanished seems to be something that stands out. What’s next for you after this film?
Vanished is a special project, and I’m incredibly excited to see how audiences respond to it. As for what’s next, I have a few projects in the pipeline, both in front of and behind the camera. I can’t say too much yet, but there’s another thriller in development that I’m excited about—something very character-driven with a lot of psychological depth.
I’m also continuing to develop projects on the production side, looking for stories that challenge me as an actor and storyteller. My goal is always to push boundaries and take on roles that excite and surprise people. Vanished was a wild ride, and I’m looking forward to the next adventure.
