Actor LaMonica Garrett, recognized for his performances in "1883," "Lioness," and "The Terminal List," has taken on his first leading role in the action film "Man of War." The movie, released on Digital and VOD on July 3, 2026, sees Garrett portraying Connor, a retired Navy SEAL and former CIA operative tasked with rescuing his kidnapped niece from a Russian warlord amidst the conflict in Ukraine.

Garrett, 51, stated that his approach to selecting roles is guided by a simple principle: he considers whether the younger version of himself would approve. "If he gives me the thumbs up, we’re doing it. Let’s go have fun," Garrett told UPI in a recent interview. This philosophy has shaped his career, particularly his choices in action-oriented projects that echo the films he admired in his youth.

In "Man of War," Garrett’s character, Connor, is depicted as a complex, damaged operative driven by the singular goal of saving his niece, a departure from a more traditional heroic archetype. Garrett noted that this depth was a significant draw to the role, explaining, "Connor’s not real likeable. He just wants to save Riley. Through the course of the movie, you see how he gets his humanity back."

Director William Kaufman, who has a history of directing military-themed films, emphasized that "Man of War" focuses on the human element within the war setting, rather than the conflict itself. "The war is the setting of the movie but the story is about the people," Kaufman said. "Our story is really about the human side of this and the people caught in the middle."

To prepare for the demanding role, Garrett underwent a week of military boot camp training with tactical advisor Max Kraus. Despite his prior on-screen experience with firearms, he found working with the AK-47 on this production to be a unique challenge. "I’ve worked with a lot of assault rifles on film but I’ve never worked with an AK and it’s different," Garrett commented. "It’s night and day difference from loading the mags when you’re on the run."

Beyond his new leading role, Garrett continues to receive fan engagement for his portrayal of Thomas, a Buffalo Soldier, in "1883." He noted that the role has prompted important conversations about often-overlooked historical narratives. "There’s people that still ask me, ‘Did they really exist?'" Garrett said. "That’s why we told the story and that’s what these stories do. That’s why we make films. That’s why we make television, to show people stuff that they didn’t read in books."

"Man of War" is available for rent or purchase on platforms including Apple TV and Prime Video.