Ryan Gosling’s film debut arrives at a time when there is increasing pressure in Hollywood for stunt performers to be acknowledged more, with calls for the creation of a separate Oscar category dedicated to their craft.
Fresh off the heels of the high-profile success of Barbie, Ryan Gosling redirected attention to Hollywood’s often-overlooked heroes – stunt performers – during the Los Angeles premiere of his latest film, The Fall Guy. Loosely inspired by the 1980s TV series of the same name, The Fall Guy features Gosling portraying a seasoned stunt double who must overcome a serious on-set injury to rescue an old flame (Emily Blunt) from an enigmatic real-world threat.
The film’s debut coincides with increasing pressure in Hollywood for stunt performers to receive greater recognition, including the establishment of their own Oscar category.
“He set himself on fire eight times for me,” remarked Ryan Gosling, gesturing towards one of his stunt doubles at Tuesday’s red carpet affair.
“How do you express gratitude for something like that?” In the film, Ryan Gosling’s character relies on his impressive array of stunt techniques and expertise – maneuvering through high-speed chases and battling adversaries with improvised weapons – in order to save the day and win back the affections of his love interest.
At the Los Angeles premiere, these techniques were showcased alongside the film’s A-list stars, with stunt performers roaring motorcycles down the red carpet, leaping from towering platforms, and engaging in brawls that shattered plate-glass windows.
“We just came out here to break some glass and put on an entertaining show for everyone,” quipped stunt performer Justin Eaton.
The Fall Guy, hitting US theaters this Friday, is directed by David Leitch, a former stuntman who endured beatings for actors like Matt Damon in The Bourne Ultimatum and Brad Pitt in Fight Club, among others.
Leitch transitioned to directing with the 2014 blockbuster John Wick and has since helmed other hits such as Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, and Bullet Train. However, The Fall Guy marks Leitch’s first film dedicated to showcasing and honoring his former profession. With computer-generated visual effects increasingly dominating action sequences in Hollywood, Leitch embraced the opportunity to spotlight traditional practical stunts rarely seen on camera these days.
“We wanted to emphasize practical stunts because it was a celebration of the craftsmanship of the stunt community,” he explained to AFP. “So, we leaned into classic stunts and executed them authentically.”
Stunt Oscars?
Ryan Gosling’s latest role required the involvement of numerous specialized stunt performers.
Logan Holladay, an expert in driving stunts, shattered a world record during filming by executing an astonishing eight-and-a-half sideways “cannon rolls” with a fast-moving car.
There have been increasing calls for the Oscars to include a “best stunts” category, with advocates arguing that stunt performers’ contributions are on par with those of sound mixers, makeup artists, and visual effects experts already recognized.
“You can win a Best Screenplay Oscar for typing in your shed for a year,” remarked Drew Pearce, the film’s writer. “But to be a stunt person, you literally have to risk death every day – and not just metaphorical death, but real death.”
While stunt work is acknowledged at certain prestigious film and TV ceremonies like the Screen Actors Guild Awards, it’s not yet recognized at the Oscars.
Stars Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt from The Fall Guy paid homage to stunt performers during this year’s Academy Awards, presenting a video montage showcasing hair-raising sequences from Charlie Chaplin to Chad Stahelski’s John Wick films.
“They’ve been such an integral part of our community since the inception of cinema,” remarked Ryan Gosling at the April Oscars ceremony.
Whether the campaign for a “best stunts” category will succeed remains uncertain. However, the film has at least heightened awareness of the risks involved in the profession. “(As) people who work in the shadows, we accept that, we signed up for that,” commented Eaton.