Ben Madilynn
In every action-packed film, the continuous beats of pulses are a testament to the dedication and talent of the stunt team.
For “The Fall Guy,” this is crucial for director David Leitch (a former stunt performer himself) and producer Kelly McCormick to assemble a top-notch group of skilled individuals to meet the unique challenges posed by the film. From intense fights to intricate rigging, daring leaps to water and fire, the film covers the entire spectrum of stunt disciplines. To ensure excellence in every aspect, the filmmakers hired the best in the business, including Chris O’Hara, who, like Leitch, is a renowned figure in the stunt industry. To properly recognize O’Hara’s invaluable contribution to the film, O’Hara, who is typically credited as a stunt coordinator, received the industry’s first-ever credit of “Stunt Designer.”
The new credit accurately reflects the high level of artistic contribution of world-class stunt coordinators like O’Hara. These are artists who do more than just coordinate the logistics of stunts; they design and create them. “Stunt Designers are the creative architects behind fight scenes, high falls, and more, and deserve recognition for the creative leadership of their contributions,” said Leitch. “Universal’s decision to allow Kelly and me to add ‘Stunt Designer’ to Chris’s credit on ‘The Fall Guy’ marks a groundbreaking step for a major studio. We hope this will pave the way for the stunt industry to receive the recognition it deserves.”
“If widely used, it can lead to a more general recognition of the artistic contributions provided by the stunt community to our industry,” added McCormick.
Another member of the stunt team is the part-Filipino fight coordinator Jojo Eusebio, whose impressive credits include “John Wick” and “Black Panther.” “I always look up to Dave Leitch and Chris O’Hara as mentors, I’ve seen them evolve from stunt performers to second unit directors and now Dave directing major motion pictures,” said Eusebio. “Working on this film for its final leg of production was a complete honor. Being part of projects with great crews and leaving a long-lasting legacy is most important. As long as you contribute something unique, it’s all worth it.”
**Stunts**
**The Cannon Roll**
Stunt double Logan Holladay broke the Guinness World Record for cannon rolls in a car with a whopping eight and a half rolls, achieving this groundbreaking feat on a beach, notable for its flat surface. This success surpassed the previous record held by stuntman Adam Kirley, who achieved seven cannon rolls while filming Casino Royale in 2006.
Operating at a speed of 80mph with a cannon of 900 psi, the filmmakers chose a Jeep Grand Cherokee for its even width and height, providing a cylindrical shape perfect for rolling. The crew tirelessly worked for hours in compacting the sand to ensure its stability to achieve the required speeds for the stunt.
**The Alma/Colt Chase Sequence**
The sequential chase of Alma/Colt involves teamwork and improvisation, featuring an exciting scene on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. While a scene like this is typically done using a blue screen, the team decided to entirely shoot the scene. Ryan Gosling’s direct involvement added authenticity to the action, and the team opted for in-camera shots using a garbage truck pulling Gosling in a revolving bin on the streets of Sydney.
Fifty stunt drivers were used for this sequence, making safety for everyone involved while maintaining accuracy in resetting to the starting point is critical.
**The 225-Foot Car Jump**
One of the most astonishing moments in “The Fall Guy” involves a 225-plus-foot car jump. The leap was performed by veteran stunt driver Logan Holladay in a specially designed vehicle made for practical, in-camera truth capable of handling such an intense leap. This extraordinary stunt demonstrates the film’s commitment to delivering real, practical stunts that defy the standards of modern CGI-dominated filmmaking.
At the peak of the jump, the truck was close to 80 feet in the air. The vehicle reached a speed of 72 mph while jumping.
**The Boat Jump**
The boat achieved an impressive 80-foot jump. The ramp used for the leap measured approximately 4 feet in height and 24 in length.
Ryan Gosling obtained his boating license in New South Wales to ensure readiness for any unexpected needs during filming.
**The High Fall from a Helicopter**
The high-fall stunt in “The Fall Guy” was performed by stunt performer Troy Brown, carrying on the legacy of his father, Bob Brown, a high-fall expert. Troy Brown broke his own personal record for the longest high fall, achieving the amazing 150 feet during the making of this film.
Getting airbags rated for such heights is rare but crucial for safety. The production team took this specific bag for the monumental free fall in “The Fall Guy.” The bag dimensions were 25 feet by 50 feet.
In “The Fall Guy,” Ryan Gosling portrays Colt Seavers, who, like everyone in the stunt community, explodes, gets shot, falls, thrown out of windows, and descends from the highest places, all for people’s entertainment. And now, fresh from an accident that nearly ended his career, the working-class hero must track down a missing star on a film, uncover a conspiracy, and attempt to reclaim love in his life (Emily Blunt) while continuing to do his job during the day.
Discover why everyone is falling for “The Fall Guy,” as the film opens in theaters in the Philippines on May 1. #TheFallGuyMoviePH
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