Walton Goggins' Fallout Method: No Games, Just Character

Walton Goggins Takes a Unique Approach to His Role in 'Fallout'

As one of the most recognizable faces in the Fallout TV adaptation, Walton Goggins brings a distinctive approach to his portrayal of pre-war movie star Cooper Howard and his post-war alter ego, The Ghoul. What's particularly fascinating about Goggins' method is his deliberate choice not to engage with the video games that inspired the show.

In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Goggins was unequivocal about his stance: 'I haven't sat down to play the games, and I won't. I won't play the games. I'm not interested.' This might seem surprising for an actor starring in a major adaptation of a beloved video game franchise, but Goggins has a thoughtful explanation for his decision.

Preserving the Reality of The Ghoul

Goggins doesn't want to view the world of Fallout through the lens of game mechanics. "All of a sudden, I'm looking at this world from a very different perspective, and as something on a screen in which I am an avatar in. I don't believe that I'm an avatar. I believe The Ghoul exists in the world. I believe that Cooper Howard exists in the world," he explained.

For Goggins, maintaining this sense of reality is crucial to his performance. "The best way that I can serve this world and serve the fans of this game, I think, is to go to work every single day and believe the circumstances that I'm presented with," he said. This approach allows him to fully inhabit his character without the context of game mechanics influencing his performance.

A Different Approach Among Cast Members

Goggins isn't alone in his unique approach to preparing for the role. His co-star Aaron Moten, who plays Brotherhood of Steel member Maximus, also hasn't played any Fallout games—but unlike Goggins, Moten plans to eventually experience them. "I haven't played them before, and I can't play them now," Moten said. "I feel like I need to be done with the work that we're doing before I can jump in." Interestingly, Moten plans to wait until the entire show has concluded before playing the games.

Meanwhile, Ella Purnell, who plays Vault-dweller Lucy MacLean, took a different path altogether. "Yeah, I played Fallout 4 when I was in prep for season one, and that was a really fun and exciting experience," she shared. For Season 2, Purnell is taking a different approach, planning to watch the show first before playing New Vegas to see how the experience changes.

The Power Armor Experience

Beyond his approach to the games themselves, Goggins has also shared insights into the physical demands of his role. In an interview with Gizmodo, he discussed his brief experience wearing the iconic Power Armor during Season 2 filming for flashbacks to Cooper Howard's military service.

"It was the most claustrophobic thing I've ever done in my life," Goggins admitted. "I had it on for about 30 minutes and then I had a panic attack. I had to get it off." He compared the experience unfavorably to his hours spent in The Ghoul's prosthetic makeup: "I thought I had it hard by wearing these prosthetics. I really thought that, until I put that power armor on."

Not all actors shared this negative experience. Kyle MacLachlan, who plays Elder Maxson, had a more positive take on the Power Armor, calling it "the most fun" despite the discomfort. "They literally bolt you into this thing. No chance to go to the bathroom. But it's really fun. When you have this thing on you do feel, as you would imagine, pretty powerful," MacLachlan said.

Goggins' Commitment to Character

Whether it's avoiding the source material or enduring uncomfortable costumes, Walton Goggins' approach to The Ghoul demonstrates a deep commitment to character authenticity. By refusing to view Fallout as a game, he maintains complete immersion in the post-apocalyptic world and his place within it.

As Fallout Season 2 approaches, fans will get to see the results of Goggins' unique method when the show visits New Vegas. With his intense dedication to the role, there's no doubt that The Ghoul will continue to be one of the most compelling characters in the series.