Weapon’s star Luke Speakman has been acting since he was just 5 years old. Now he’s sharing the screen alongside big names like Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, and Julia Garner. Beyond acting, Speakman has a passion for helping others. Donating the custom designed shoes he wore to the premiere of the Weapons movie to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and raising money for the non-profit organization Two Thumbs Up are just two small pieces of evidence of his big heart. To learn more about Luke Speakman and his time on set for Weapons, read on.

Where are you based?
I’m based in Atlanta, Georgia, but I also spend a lot of time on both the East Coast and the West Coast. I really enjoy experiencing both places.

What inspired you to start acting?
I started acting when I was really young—around four years old—and I booked my first project when I was five. My parents were looking for a positive way to channel all my big emotions and energy, and our pediatrician suggested theater. At first, I didn’t love it, but once I discovered on-camera acting, I was hooked. It gave me the perfect way to use my emotions and energy for something creative and meaningful, and I really enjoyed that people appreciated it.

Congratulations on your new film “Weapons”! Can you tell us a little bit about it and what we can expect to see from your character?
I can’t believe how big the movie has gotten—it’s so exciting! If you haven’t seen it yet, you definitely should. I play Matthew, the son of Archer, who’s played by Josh Brolin. What’s really fun is that Matthew is the complete opposite of who I am in real life. He comes across as a bully, but there’s a lot more to him. He has some deep hurts, and he takes those out on Alex. You really have to watch the movie to understand his story, but I promise you won’t be disappointed!

What was your favorite moment on set for “Weapons”?
That’s actually a really hard question because I had such a great time on the set of Weapons that it’s almost impossible to pick just one moment! But if I had to choose, I’d say the day I met Cary Christopher, who plays Alex. We became best friends and still talk almost every day. I don’t usually get to work with other kids on set, so getting to work with Cary—and building such a great friendship—was really special.

How did it feel to work along with such a powerhouse cast - Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, and Julia Garner?
Unbelievable—that’s really the only word that comes to mind when I think about the opportunity I had last summer to work with so many iconic names in Hollywood. It’s something many actors work their whole lives to achieve, and I was lucky enough to experience it at such a young age. I definitely didn’t take it for granted, and I’ll always be grateful that I was chosen to play Matthew.

Your first ever screen debut, at just five years old, was for Steven Spielberg's “Amazing Stories” alongside Victoria Pedretti. How have you grown as an actor since your first project? What are some things you’ve learned from being on set?
Like you said, I was really young when I worked on Amazing Stories, so I don’t have super clear memories of the people. But I do remember being so amazed by the set. Since it was an Apple TV+ and Amblin production, everything was top-notch. I’ve always been kind of weather-obsessed, and my scene took place during a storm, so I was fascinated by how they created the fake rain, thunder, and even lightning. I also loved seeing how busy everyone was behind the scenes to make it all happen. That experience is really what made me fall in love with on-camera acting—I knew right then that I wanted to do whatever it took to be on set as much as possible. I was at home!

When it comes to working across various genres, like going from a comedy project to horror, how does your process for acting differ? What is your favorite genre to act for?
I don’t think I really approach my roles differently, even if they’re in different genres. I always start by reading the entire script because I want to understand the story first. While I read, I take notes about all the characters, their actions, and any questions I have. I like to ask those questions to the director—or even better, the writer—since they know the story so well. After that, I focus on my own character and try to figure out why they think and behave the way they do. Once I know the ‘why,’ everything else comes more naturally. I always stay prepared, but I also leave space for things to happen in the moment. As for my favorite genre, I’d say I feel most at home in drama or horror—anything grounded—but I really enjoy working in all kinds of projects.

Acting-wise, who do you look up to and why?
Most people expect me to name a well-known A-list actor, but honestly, the person I look up to the most in the acting world is my coach, Alicia Kelley. She’s been working with me since I was six years old and has always believed in me. She’s helped me discover what I really have inside and how to use it to follow my passion for acting. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without her.

We love that you are auctioning off the custom shoes you wore to the premiere to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. What inspired you to do this?
Yes, I’m so excited about this! One day while I was on location for a film, I saw a sign for Make-A-Wish in an elevator and asked my mom what it was. As soon as she explained, I knew I wanted to help. Raffling off my custom shoes from the Weapons world premiere felt like the perfect opportunity. They were designed by Florida artist Ty Christian just in time for me to walk the red carpet. I feel like I’m literally living my dreams right now, and the best thing I can do is help another child experience theirs. The raffle will begin soon! Stay tuned to my Instagram for details.

You’ve done work with Two Thumbs Up, a non-profit organization aimed at creating opportunities in a supportive environment for youth with autism. Can you tell us about why this cause means so much to you? What are some ways you have been involved with this organization? What fun activities have you done through Two Thumbs Up?
The mission of Two Thumbs Up is very personal to me because my little sister, Claire, is on the spectrum. We’re only 15 months apart and grew up almost like twins. For the first four years of her life, I was actually her interpreter—no one else in the family could really understand her, but I could. So partnering with Two Thumbs Up was a no-brainer for me. My parents always say that with great opportunity comes great responsibility, and I’ve tried to live by that. When my show Lost Man Found was released on Hulu and Disney+ in the U.S., I hosted a big red carpet screening. Instead of selling tickets, I collected donations for Two Thumbs Up, and we raised over $1,600. That money funded a huge field day event in Atlanta for kids and adults on the spectrum, and it was amazing. Sadly, due to Covid, Two Thumbs Up eventually had to close, but I’m so glad they ended with such an exciting and impactful event.

What advice do you have for other kids who might want to start pursuing a career in the entertainment industry?
I’d say give yourself patience because it can take a while to see results in the acting industry. Don’t give up! The only guarantee is that you’re going to hear ‘no’ a lot, but that doesn’t mean you’re not talented—it just means you haven’t found the role that’s meant for you yet. And you will!

Are there any upcoming projects you are currently working on that we should be on the lookout for?
Yes, there are! I actually have about three movies in post-production right now. One is another horror film, and the others are really unique—definitely something different from what people have seen me do before. I’m also about to head to Brazil to work on a film that’s probably my most challenging role yet, which I’m really excited about. And let’s just say there might be an action film coming in the new year… so stay tuned!

It has been a crazy few years, and we expect at least four more. How have you been staying positive?
The best way I’ve found to stay positive is by doing the things I love and being around the people who make me happy. A lot of my time is spent at the local little league baseball field—sliding in the Georgia red clay and throwing the ball with my best friends on my team doesn’t get any better! I also love playing fetch with my golden retriever, Sir Golden Waffles. Honestly, one look from him and everything feels okay.

What is your motto in life?
Always: “Hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard!

For a bonus: What is meant for you will be for you!

To learn more about Luke Speakman, please check out the links below:
Instagram: @luke.speakman
X (formerly Twitter): @lukespeakmanact
Facebook: @luke.speakman
Official Website: https://lukespeakman.info/

Luke Speakman on Acting and Making a Difference