How ‘The Fall Guy’ Went From Dark Noir to Maximalist Love Story by ‘Using the Language of Stunts’
04.05.2024 - 19:27
/ variety.com
Meredith Woerner Deputy Editor, Variety.com Action romance is a tricky genre to master — it requires the right balance of heart and spectacle. But when done well, à la “True Lies” or “Mr. and Mrs.
Smith,” it will live on forever in the rewatch rotation. Stunt coordinator-turned-director David Leitch has launched cars straight into the air and staged fight scenes that have had theaters erupting in thunderous cheers. His latest challenge, however, will be making the audience’s heart melt with “The Fall Guy,” in theaters now.
Smartly, he cast Ryan Gosling, the living embodiment of a junior high schooler’s diary entry, to play the hero. Adapted from the 1980s series, the Universal film follows down-at-his-heels action choreographer Colt Seavers (Gosling), who must unravel a treacherous mystery while on the set of the next big blockbuster. The movie happens to be directed by his ex-girlfriend, played by Emily Blunt.
So what took Leitch, known for such thrillers as “Atomic Blonde” and “Bullet Train,” so long to dive into romance? “Falling in love is the hardest stunt,” he says. “We wanted the love story to be the beating heart of this movie,” continues Leitch, sitting inside the stunt facility of 87North, the production company he co-founded with his wife and producer, Kelly McCormick. What does a David Leitch romance look like? Big swings.
Embraces are framed by pyrotechnics, heated exposition is leveled up by literally setting main characters on fire — and it’s all set to a love song by arena rock maestros Kiss. Leitch was so adamant about using the band’s “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” that he wrote it into the script. Dismayed, McCormick says she gave it to him straight: “‘I think you should cut Kiss out.’ [Executive
.