Recently, the cameras started rolling for Reytac’s 2 Rounds, a promising horror film written, directed, and produced by Mason Ewing. Inspired by a mysterious urban legend that has been gaining traction online, the film is said to be based on the story of Reytac, a town built in the middle of the desert that was supposedly consumed by a fire, leaving behind only a train station where strange occurrences—such as apparitions and disappearances—have been reported in the past.
Among the actors preparing to embark on this terrifying journey is Eric April, a young talent who will soon celebrate his 27th birthday. He has landed one of the leading roles. Torn between excitement and apprehension, he sits down with us for an interview about a project that just might haunt our minds…
Toombow Kids: Eric, how did you react when you found out you had been chosen for one of the main roles in Reytac’s 2 Rounds? What drew you to this project the most?
Eric: Honestly, I was over the moon! It’s a real dream come true, and getting a lead role makes the experience even more incredible. What caught my attention right away was the story. The legend of Reytac intrigued me from the start, and the idea of turning it into a film seemed thrilling. Nowadays, a lot of horror movies aren’t truly scary anymore—they’re just gory… But when I read the script, I thought, This one is different. This film is going to be truly frightening, like the classics of the past.
Toombow Kids: Before being cast by Ewing Power Production, were you familiar with the legend of Reytac and its eerie history? Was it a myth that had already intrigued you, or did you discover it through this project?
Eric: No, I had never heard of this legend before the production reached out to me. But as soon as I knew I was going to be in the film, I started researching Reytac’s train station… and I fell into a real mystery! The more I learned, the more questions I had. The story completely captivated me. Getting to act in a movie based on such a chilling legend is an incredible opportunity. I’m so grateful to Ewing Power Production for this chance, and I’ll give it my all, as always.
Toombow Kids: Urban legends always carry an air of mystery… Now that you’re diving into Reytac’s story, are you the type to believe in such things, or do you remain skeptical?
Eric: Honestly, I really believe in it. I’m convinced that this town actually existed and that strange events occurred around its train station. There are too many unanswered questions for it to be just a simple legend. And what I love is that the film is going to explore all these mysteries… it’s going to be fascinating!
Toombow Kids: Shooting a horror film—especially one based on such a disturbing story—can be a profound experience. Do you have any fears about it, or are you eager to immerse yourself in this eerie atmosphere?
Eric: I can’t wait to be on location, to feel the atmosphere of the desert where the town was supposedly located. It’s true that horror movie sets often experience strange happenings… Normally, I don’t really believe in ghosts, but I like to keep an open mind. For now, I’m skeptical, but I want to live this experience and see for myself. Who knows? Maybe something unexplainable will happen… Actually, I’ve heard that some weird things have already occurred for the actors who started filming: some electronic devices suddenly lost all their battery power and stayed in low-battery mode for a long time. I love that kind of thing! It makes the whole experience even more exciting, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the shoot.
Toombow Kids: Can you tell us about your character, Cameron Becko? How do you plan to prepare mentally and physically for this role?
Eric: To prepare, I’ve been working a lot on Cameron’s psychology. I try to understand who he is in his everyday life—what he thinks, what he feels… The goal is to be him on screen, not just play a role. I use the Actor’s Studio method, which pushes you to fully immerse yourself in the character, to think like him. I also like connecting events from his past to his development throughout the film, so that everything feels fluid and believable. Cameron is quite sharp-tongued—he loves sarcasm and has a bit of a cocky side. It’s going to be really fun to portray him!
Toombow Kids: As a moviegoer, which horror films have left a lasting impression on you and might influence your approach to acting in Reytac’s 2 Rounds?
Eric: Shining, without a doubt. I was blown away by Jack Nicholson’s performance and how Stanley Kubrick built the tension. The twin girls in the hallway, the bedroom door scene… and especially that slow descent into madness. I found it fascinating to watch Jack Torrance gradually lose his grip, to the point where he’s chasing his son through a frozen maze. That kind of acting, where the tension keeps escalating, is a big inspiration for me.
Toombow Kids: In addition to acting, you’re also a writer and have published Les Tempêtes de Souffrance, a poetry collection. Do you see a connection between exploring fear through cinema and expressing inner torment through writing?
Eric: Absolutely. Whether in writing or acting, you have to tap into yourself. When I write, I pour out my deep emotions, my pain, so that readers can feel them. In cinema, it’s even more complex because you have to convey those emotions solely through your body, face, expressions, gestures… and it has to feel natural. That’s what fascinates me about art—being able to communicate pure emotions to the audience. A book, a film, a painting… they capture emotions in time, and they’ll still exist even thousands of years from now. That’s what makes cinema so powerful to me: it allows people to relive moments and eras through the eyes of artists.
Toombow Kids: If you were challenged to spend a night alone in the infamous Reytac train station before filming… would you take on the dare, or politely decline?
Eric: I’d accept without hesitation! Like I said, I love experiencing things firsthand. If this legend is true and a “punishment” awaits those who venture there, then I might as well see if I can survive it! (laughs)
Toombow Kids: Thanks, Eric, for sharing all this with us! We can’t wait to see if you’ll still dare to set foot near an abandoned train station after filming. Best of luck with this adventure, and count on Toombow Kids to closely follow the journey of Reytac’s 2 Rounds… Because our Toombow train tells us this film is far from done surprising us!
