3 minute read
ABSOLUTELY STUNTING
FLORENCE PUGH IN “BLACK WIDOW”
Black Widow and James Bond are just some of the badass heroes facing off in the race for stunt work in a motion picture
By Matthew Nerber
JODIE COMER AND RYAN REYNOLDS IN “FREE GUY”
From driving a car over a crumbling bridge to jumping out of a burning building, Hollywood’s stuntmen and women are some of the hardest-working people in show business, and they should be regarded as such.
The SAG Awards remain one of the only major ceremonies to recognize outstanding performance by a stunt ensemble in a motion picture, an award most recently won by “Wonder Woman 1984.” When considering which ensembles should be on the ballot this year, don’t forget about these seven standout stunt teams from Marvel, the latest “James Bond” film, “F9: The Fast Saga,” and beyond.
“Black Widow”
This summer, the world finally got to see Scarlett Johansson lead her own Marvel film. The movie is an action-packed Russian spy caper that reminded us why we fell in love with the character when she first appeared in “Iron Man 2.” It also introduced us to Florence Pugh’s Yelena, David Harbour’s Alexei, and Rachel Weisz’s Melina. From narrow escapes to harrowing brawls, the Marvel team was at the top of its game and left us begging for more.
“F9: The Fast Saga”
Vin Diesel’s record-breaking series returned with more of what has made the “Fast & Furious” franchise a massive hit for almost two decades. That’s partially thanks to the film’s A-list action-star cast (including, for “F9,” Diesel, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Jason Statham), but it’s largely the stunt coordinators and performers who make the actors look as cool as they do.
“Free Guy”
With “Free Guy,” star Ryan Reynolds leans on the same action-comedy formula that made “Deadpool” such a massive hit. Trapped in a video-game world, his titular hero is free to break the rules of reality in “Matrix”-like sequences and gravity-defying set pieces. The stunt team, therefore, had to be particularly inventive.
“Halloween Kills”
David Gordon Green’s sequel to 2018’s smashhit “Halloween” reboot is bigger, bloodier, and
MICHELLE YEOH AND SIMU LIU IN “SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS”
more brutal, which means all the more work for the stunt team. From the opening firefighter massacre to Michael Myers’ nonstop rampage, making those kills look real while keeping the performers safe is the work of a truly gifted behind-the-scenes team.
“No Time to Die”
Bond is (finally) back, and Daniel Craig’s final outing as the suave secret agent leapt to the top of the box office charts this summer. The actor went out with a bang; high-octane car chases, expertly executed shootouts, and globe-trotting acrobatics are just some of what the stunt team helped bring to life.
“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”
Marvel films are always sure to have a lot of stunts. “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” introduced audiences to the franchise’s first Asian superhero lead, and it delivered on the kind of action fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have come to expect. From a close-quarter fistfight inside a city bus to elegant aerial battles reminiscent of classic martial arts films, the stunt team for “Shang-Chi” packs a punch at every twist and turn.
“Venom: Let There Be Carnage”
Tom Hardy’s comedic turn as Spider-Man nemesis Venom was a surprise box office hit. The sequel features more of the chaotic, skin-crawling action that fans love. A mix of motion-capture performance and live-action stunts gives “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” a visceral feel. Between the high-speed chases and the gory symbiote battles, the stunts deliver heart-pounding thrills throughout.
