Prisoner of War: Cast & Crew Stories

Prepare for a brutal and gripping tale of resilience and the unbreakable human spirit when “Prisoner of War” premieres in theaters on September 19, 2025. This intense historical drama thrusts audiences into the heart of a Japanese internment camp during World War II, following the harrowing story of a captured British SAS officer. Stripped of his freedom and forced to endure unimaginable conditions, he must draw upon every ounce of his training and fortitude not only to survive but to protect his fellow prisoners. The film promises an unflinching look at the horrors of war captivity, the complex dynamics between captor and captive, and the fierce will to maintain honor in the face of utter despair.

Anchoring this powerful narrative is a cast led by action star Scott Adkins, who takes on the demanding physical and emotional role of the SAS officer. He is joined by Peter Shinkoda as the formidable camp commandant, alongside a supporting ensemble including Michael Copon, Donald Cerrone, and Gabbi Garcia. “Prisoner of War” is poised to be a stark, respectful, and profoundly moving tribute to the soldiers who endured the extreme hardships of the Pacific theater, exploring the brutal reality of their fight for survival behind barbed wire.

Prisoner of War entire cast

1. Scott Adkins as James Wright

World-renowned action star and martial artist Scott Adkins takes on a role that demands both immense physicality and deep emotional reserves as Captain James Wright of the British Special Air Service (SAS). Adkins, known for his work in the Undisputed series and The Bourne Ultimatum, is perfectly cast as a highly trained elite soldier pushed to his absolute limit. His character is defined by a stoic resilience and a strategic mind, using his specialized skills to navigate the camp’s brutal hierarchy and protect the men under his unofficial command, all while planning a potential resistance.

Adkins’s performance will transcend action; it will be a study in silent endurance and leadership under the most extreme duress. He must convey the internal struggle of a man trained for offensive warfare now forced into a defensive battle of attrition against starvation, disease, and psychological torture. His journey is the core of the film, showcasing not the glamour of combat, but the raw, gritty fight for dignity and survival, making James Wright a symbol of unwavering resolve.

2. Peter Shinkoda as Lt. Col. Ito

Peter Shinkoda, known for his compelling roles in Daredevil and Falling Skies, brings a formidable and nuanced presence to the antagonist role of Lieutenant Colonel Ito, the commandant of the internment camp. Shinkoda’s task is to avoid a one-dimensional portrayal, instead creating a complex officer who is both a brutal enforcer of Imperial Japan’s harsh military doctrine and a man bound by his own twisted sense of duty and honor. He views his prisoners not as men, but as resources and symbols of a conquered enemy, yet he may also possess a sliver of respect for their tenacity.

Shinkoda’s Ito is the source of much of the film’s tension and conflict. His interactions with Adkins’s Wright will be electric, representing a clash of wills, cultures, and military philosophies. He is the architect of the prisoners’ suffering, yet his character may also reveal the psychological toll that wielding absolute power over other human beings can take, adding a critical layer of complexity to the film’s exploration of its historical setting.

3. Michael Copon as Villanueva

Actor and former Power Ranger star Michael Copon takes on the role of Villanueva. This character’s surname suggests he could be an American or Filipino soldier captured after the fall of the Philippines, adding diversity to the prisoner population. Copon will likely portray a resilient soldier who becomes a key ally to Captain Wright. His character might possess specific skills, like engineering or medicine, that prove vital to the survival and morale of the prisoners within the camp.

Copon’s role represents the camaraderie and multinational unity among the Allied prisoners. Villanueva is likely a man who refuses to be broken, providing both physical support and a crucial emotional connection for Wright. His character underscores the theme that survival in such hellish conditions depended on brotherhood and the collective will to resist their captors, no matter their nationality or background.

4. Donald Cerrone as Captain Collins

Retired UFC legend and professional fighter Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone brings his authentic toughness and rugged demeanor to the role of Captain Collins. Cerrone’s real-life experience as a warrior translates powerfully to the screen, making him a believable soldier. Collins is likely another captured officer, perhaps from a different regiment, who serves as a right-hand man to Wright or a stubborn rival who challenges his leadership, believing his own methods are better suited for their dire situation.

Cerrone’s presence guarantees a raw and physical performance. His character will embody the fierce, combative spirit of a man who is struggling to adapt to a passive form of survival. Whether he is a loyal lieutenant or a contentious figure, Collins represents the different ways soldiers cope with imprisonment—some through unity, others through defiant, individualistic rage. His interactions will fuel both the conflict and the solidarity within the prisoner ranks.

5. Michael Rene Walton as The Beard

Character actor Michael Rene Walton appears as the character listed as “The Beard.” This evocative name suggests a long-term prisoner who has been in the camp for an extended period, his appearance marked by the hardships of prolonged malnutrition and neglect. Walton’s character is likely a source of institutional knowledge about the camp, its guards, and the unspoken rules of survival. He may be a cynical but valuable advisor to the newly arrived SAS officer.

Walton’s performance will provide a sense of the camp’s grim history. “The Beard” represents the psychological erosion that comes with long-term captivity. He has seen men break and die, and his weathered exterior hides either a deep well of hopelessness or a final, flickering ember of defiance. His role is crucial for world-building, showing the devastating passage of time and the steep cost of survival that the new prisoners are only beginning to understand.

6. Gary Cairns as Jonesy

Gary Cairns portrays Jonesy, a character whose familiar, friendly nickname implies he is an everyman soldier, probably a young British infantryman captured early in the war. Cairns’s role will likely be to represent the innocence and vulnerability of the average soldier who was not prepared for the horrors of captivity. Jonesy could be a character who looks up to Captain Wright as a protector and a leader, his survival directly tied to the officer’s decisions.

Cairns’s performance will deliver much of the film’s emotional weight. Jonesy’s struggle—his fear, his homesickness, and his attempts to remain hopeful—will make the stakes of Wright’s mission intensely personal. He is the reason Wright must fight, a symbol of the countless young men who depended on their leaders to guide them through the darkness. His character arc will be a poignant reminder of the human cost of war far from the battlefield.

7. Gabbi Garcia as Theresa

Filipina actress and singer Gabbi Garcia joins the cast as Theresa. Her presence is critically important, indicating the film will acknowledge the local civilian populations who were also interned or who risked their lives to help prisoners of war. Theresa could be a captured civilian, a nurse forced to work in the camp, or even a brave local from a nearby village who secretly provides food or information to the prisoners, representing a vital link to the outside world and a source of hope.

Garcia’s role introduces a necessary perspective beyond the military prisoners. Theresa represents compassion, resistance, and the shared suffering of all people caught in the machinery of war. Her character could form a heartfelt connection with one of the soldiers, showcasing how humanity can persist even in the most inhumane conditions. Her presence ensures the film tells a broader, more inclusive story of the war in the Pacific.

8. Masanori Mimoto as Captain Endo

Masanori Mimoto takes on the role of Captain Endo. As another Japanese officer, Endo likely serves as Lt. Col. Ito’s subordinate, perhaps the camp’s second-in-command or the head of the guard detail. Mimoto’s performance will help illustrate the hierarchy within the Japanese military structure. Captain Endo could be even more brutal and zealous than his commanding officer, or he could be more pragmatic, creating a dynamic between the two captors that the prisoners might learn to exploit.

Mimoto’s character adds another layer to the film’s antagonistic forces. Captain Endo represents the direct, daily enforcement of the camp’s harsh discipline. He is the face of the immediate threat the prisoners see every day, a constant reminder of their subjugation. His interactions with the prisoners, particularly during roll call or work details, will be moments of high tension and palpable fear, solidifying the oppressive atmosphere of the camp.