“The Stuntman,” directed by David Leitch, premiered today in Taiwan, showcasing the importance of stunt performers in innovative ways. Leitch highlighted the significant influence of actor Ryan Gosling, who plays the role of “Kenny,” in transforming the dark film into a fun romantic action comedy.
Known for directing “Deadpool 2” and “Atomic Blonde,” David Leitch helmed the new action comedy “The Fall Guy,” with Ryan Gosling starring as “Kenny” and portraying the seasoned stuntman “Kurt.” Leitch explained how Gosling reshaped the character and storyline, turning the dark film “The Stuntman” into a romantic action comedy.
Speaking to “Screen Rant” on the 23rd, Leitch emphasized Gosling’s pivotal role in shaping the character. Gosling was involved early in the development process, being the only actor they approached in the initial stages of the film.
Their initial conversation set the tone for their collaboration, with Gosling confidently stating, “Hey, friend, I excel in romance. Have you seen ‘The Notebook’ (romantic film)? I’ve also starred in ‘The Nice Guys’ (action comedy) and recently filmed ‘The Gray Man’ (action thriller).”
In “The Stuntman,” Leitch’s wife, Kelly McCormick, serves as a producer, while Emily Blunt from “A Quiet Place” plays Kurt’s lover, “Jodi.”
From the early development stages to post-production of “The Stuntman,” Gosling’s influence on the character of Kurt and many scenes was profound. Leitch acknowledged how Gosling’s influence made the film more engaging, inspiring the creative team to learn and make the plot more entertaining.
Gosling’s performance style directly impacted other characters, with Leitch noting, “Gosling mentioned romance which influenced Kelly in shaping Emily’s character from a makeup artist to a director.” The shift from a dark film to a romantic comedy in the script collaboration emphasized creating enjoyable and delightful experiences and spreading happiness, which Leitch believed was paramount.
“The Stuntman” follows the story of stuntman Kurt, who, like many in the industry, endures explosions, crashing, and high falls for audience entertainment. Now, injured and unable to perform stunts, this blue-collar hero must locate a missing movie star, unravel a conspiracy, win back his true love, and continue as a stunt performer. Can he overcome adversity and succeed?
“The Stuntman” will premiere in the United States on May 3rd.