If it seems Poplar Bluff native Chelsea Edmundson has been popping up more as of late on the small screen and the big screen, she has.
During the last few years, Edmundson has had recurring roles on the TV series, “Roswell, New Mexico” on the CW, as well as “Midnight, Texas” on NBC. Her most recent role was in Zack Snyder’s “Army of the Dead,” which has become one of the most-watched Netflix Original films, garnering 72 million views in the first four weeks after its May 21 release.
Edmundson opens the movie as Misty Hillman, a bride who has just finished her nuptials in Las Vegas, Nevada, and inadvertently causes the zombie apocalypse alongside her new groom.
“I’ve been very lucky and have had a really fun ride from ‘Army of the Dead,’” Edmundson said. “People have reacted really well to my scene and character (and) the support from the ‘Snyder Army,’ as they call themselves on social media, has been really welcoming. I’ve just had a blast overall, and was so lucky to get to work on such a large scale film with Zack Snyder and the rest of the Snyder team.”
Edmundson got an invitation to read for her role in “Army of the Dead” via the movie’s casting director, and that was quickly followed by a callback.
“I did the scene a few times,” Edmundson said. “Zack had some adjustments that he gave me that felt more like play than notes — it was very fun — and I remember getting that feeling you get when you know something is going really well but you’re trying to play it cool and not be a total dork.
“I remember making him and the casting directors laugh and feeling like that was a good sign — and then I got the call that I booked it a couple of weeks later. That was a fun call from my agent. You really savor and remember those wins because a lot of times it goes the other way.”
Most of Edmundson’s on-set interactions in “Army of the Dead” were with her on-screen husband, played by Steve Corona.
“(Steve and I) screen-tested and filmed for two weeks together,” Edmundson said. “He’s a good sport and very funny.
“In our minds, we were making our own weird, little rom-com and were very much in our own world. We would see zombies in passing and it felt like that was the ‘other movie’ being made on the lot.”
When asked about meeting Army’s lead, Dave Bautista, who is known for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Edmundson spoke positively of him.
“He was so nice — he has a very gentle and calming energy, at least in our brief encounter, and I imagine he’s great to work with,” Edmundson said.
Edmundson’s character in “Midnight, Texas,” had an interesting and memorable arc, a role the actress looks back on fondly.
“My role on Midnight was small but really fun, and I ended up being the bad guy — sorry for the spoiler — but that was my favorite part about that role,” Edmundson said. “I love playing the villain. I learned a lot on that set as I do on every single one that I’m on.”
Edmundson compares an acting career to “a painting you never finish.”
“You’re always experiencing new things in your life that bleed into the work, and the work teaches you a lot about yourself,” she says, “It’s an ongoing process and you’re never done learning. I’m really grateful for all that I’ve learned in pursuing this as a career.”
Notable actors become co-workers
Another notable actor Edmundson has worked with is Lance Henriksen, who played the android Bishop in “Aliens.” The two worked together in the 2016 film “Daylight’s End.”
When asked about the experience of working with Henriksen, Edmundson had kind words about the veteran actor.
“I’m a huge fan of the movie ‘Aliens,’” Edmundson said. “It’s one of my favorite movies. It wasn’t lost on me who I was working with, he’s an icon in the science-fiction genré especially. He is mesmerizing to watch when you’re working across from him, and he’s unpredictable in a great way.
“I mean, you never know what he’s going to do. He would wink and make faces at me during my camera coverage sometimes, I think just to keep me on my toes. He’s very playful.”
Edmundson also worked opposite Frankie Muniz in the 2018 film “The Black String.” Like Henriksen, Edmundson spoke positively of her experience working with Muniz.
“I remember a lot of people being really excited for me when I booked ‘The Black String’ and found out all my scenes would be with him,” Edmundson said. “Many of my friends grew up watching him in ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ and his Agent Cody Banks movies. I somehow, oddly, had never seen any of that and intentionally avoided it before shooting. I was doing some weird actor thing where I just wanted to think of him as his character in our movie.
“I have since watched Malcolm and love that show, so brilliant. Frankie is very, very smart and funny. He, best of all, has a great sense of humor about himself, which is one of my favorite traits in a person.”
When asked about other notable actors she has worked with, Edmundson mentioned a couple of familiar names.
“I had a small scene with Emma Stone in a movie called ‘Gangster Squad’ that got cut, sadly, but she was the best — so kind. I recently worked with Jon Bernthal on the pilot for ‘American Gigolo.’ I really liked working with John, and am hopeful to work with him more in the future,” she said. “In the short time I met him, I can tell he’s a great leader. He makes a point to know everyone’s name on set and is very encouraging to the people around him.”
Friends in the business
But it’s not about the names for Edmundson.
“I’ve also worked with some people that aren’t huge names yet, but that I really believe in and believe that they will have really big, wonderful careers.” Edmundson said. “It’s fun to root for people you know, people who you’ve grown to become friends with or have fond memories of working with.
“I’ve met some of my best friends from working in this business and that’s also something that I really cherish about working in this industry — the camaraderie and teamwork.”
Future projects, starring role
Edmundson has quite a few projects on deck as well. In addition to her appearance in the pilot of “American Gigolo,” she is set to star in the upcoming sci-fi film called “The Bunker.” The movie also stars Chad Collins, the lead from the Sony Sniper franchise, plus horror legends Tony Todd (Candyman) and Tobin Bell (Saw franchise.)
“I got to make this movie with one of my best friends, Kayli Fortun, who I hope to produce alongside more,” Edmundson said. “We worked with a really solid group of people and a fantastic up and coming horror director named Brian Hanson, who also directed me in ‘The Black String.’”
“‘The Bunker’ is about an alien invasion and it takes inspiration story-wise from things we all went through in 2020. I mean, 2020 basically felt like a sci-fi movie in a lot of ways to me,” Edmundson said with a laugh. “I poured a lot of the emotions that I was feeling during that time into my character.”
“This was also my first time being the true lead of a movie, which was very meaningful for me of course, and my first time producing and acting at the same time. I’ve discovered that I really enjoy being a part of the business side of making a movie and being a part of the team in a more profound way. I hope to do more of that in the future.”