The Pirate King: Rob Riggle’s Emotional Return To Military Roots

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For , The Pirate King gave him a chance to return to his military roots.

I’ve always loved Riggle’s comedy, but I was so impressed to learn about his incredible service! He dedicated 23 years to the U.S. Marine Corps, starting in 1990 and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2013. He wasn’t just a reservist either; he served actively and then continued in the Reserves, even deploying to places like Liberia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. It really adds another layer of respect for everything he does.

As a movie fan, I was really interested to hear about Rob Riggle’s new film, The Pirate King. It’s been a while since he played a uniformed character, but this one feels special. He plays Todd, a Marine vet struggling with PTSD and addiction, who’s really hit a low point. Things start to look up when he joins a group of pirate re-enactors – it’s an unexpected place for him to find some purpose again. I read an interview with Riggle from SXSW, where he told ScreenRant‘s Ash Crossan that the film, directed by Josh Plasse, really resonated with him on a personal level as a veteran.

I really connected with the story, especially because of my work with veterans’ groups. I could see the important message Josh was trying to convey, and I was eager to be involved. I don’t often get roles in dramatic projects, so when Josh offered me this one, I jumped at the chance.

The film starts by exploring how people try to escape their problems through pirate reenactments, but it soon becomes a more meaningful story, particularly for the character Todd. He sees it as a way to turn his life around, fight for custody of his daughter, and get back something he’d lost. That hopeful story of second chances was what initially attracted the filmmaker to the project.

I was really excited when Josh sent me the script and asked me to take a look. I loved it immediately! We then had a chance to discuss it and refine some of the details, making it even better. After that, it was an easy decision – I definitely wanted to be involved.

The Pirate King Not Only Stars A Vet, It Was Also Inspired By Real-Life Pirate Veterans

ScreenRant

This movie, starring Jordana Brewster, Matt Barr, Billie Lourd, and others, is based on a real story from the director’s own family. It was created to honor veterans’ families who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide.

ScreenRant asked about the real-life events that inspired the story, wanting to know how it was discovered and what made it particularly fascinating.

A few years ago, I worked with a team on a fundraising run for suicide awareness, partnering with the organization Stop Soldier Suicide. During the run, we spoke with families who had lost loved ones to suicide – what they call “survivor families” – and filmed their stories. These families often shared final messages or advice for other veterans. We were deeply moved by their experiences, so we conducted many interviews. One story, in particular, resonated with me because it mirrored the experiences of my uncle, a Marine who also happens to be an actor. I combined his real-life story with details from the other families we met, and that ultimately became the basis for “The Pirate King.”

If the show is really impacting viewers, what options are there for them to get involved or take action?

The movie ends with a QR code and a message encouraging viewers to support Stop Soldier Suicide, an organization with great resources for veterans. There are many veteran charities available, and this is the one I personally prefer. I think a good first step to helping is simply contacting a charity and asking how you can get involved – they’re usually happy to guide you.

Many fantastic organizations offer crucial support, and help is available if you need it. When I talk about needing support, I’m often referring to PTSD, which isn’t always linked to combat – it can stem from many different experiences. The biggest challenge is often simply reaching out for help. People tend to isolate themselves when they’re struggling, and that’s when things get worse. Staying connected with others is key, so I hope anyone who needs it will see this and seek support.

Be sure to dive into some of ScreenRant‘s other SXSW coverage with:

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2026-03-23 20:07