The Tumbling Hero: Release Date, Cast, Plot, and All You Need to Know About the Ryan Gosling Film
Ryan Gosling and David Leitch collaborate to bring the iconic '80s TV show The Fall Guy to life on the big screen, promising an exhilarating blend of action and nostalgia Get ready for a thrilling ride!
Brad Pitt, who recently won his first acting Oscar for his performance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, has joined forces with director David Leitch for the action-comedy Bullet Train. Similarly, Ryan Gosling, who impressed audiences with his role in Greta Gerwig's Barbie, is now teaming up with Leitch for the explosive action-romantic-comedy The Fall Guy, making him a top contender for Best Supporting Actor this year.
The Fall Guy is a film adaptation of a popular 1980s TV show starring Lee Majors. It revolves around a Hollywood stuntman who becomes embroiled in a real-world dangerous mission. This premise not only offers plenty of opportunities for an entertaining storyline, but also promises spectacular action scenes. With the talented individuals involved in this project, we can expect The Fall Guy to deliver both on excitement and engaging storytelling. If this sounds like your kind of film, continue reading to discover everything we currently know about The Fall Guy.
Editor's Note: This piece was updated on November 2, 2023
The Fall Guy
When Does 'The Fall Guy' Come Out?
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Director: David Leitch
Cast: Emily Blunt, Hannah Waddingham, Ryan Gosling, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Stephanie Hsu, Teresa Palmer
Rating: PG-13
Main Genre: Action
Image via Universal Pictures
Scheduled for release on March 1, 2024, The Fall Guy by Universal is set to join the ranks of a busy month for movies. In March alone, notable releases like Creed III, Scream VI, John Wick: Chapter 4, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and Shazam! Fury of the Gods made a mark. March 2024 promises to be equally eventful, with The Fall Guy contending against other highly anticipated blockbusters including Dune Part: 2, Kung Fu Panda 4, Mickey 17, and the sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
The release date signifies Universal's confidence in the film. In an interview with Our website, Leitch shared that the movie has received extremely positive feedback from audiences. He stated, "The movie is testing incredibly well and is a true crowd-pleaser. People adore the chemistry between Ryan and Emily, and they appreciate the enjoyable nature of the film. Like Kelly mentioned, the protagonist is a relatable hero who goes from being an underdog to a superhero, defeating the villains and hopefully reuniting with his true love. As one of our cast members put it, 'If you didn't enjoy this movie, you lack a soul.' [Laughs] It's an entertaining film that pays tribute to the hardworking crews behind the scenes and highlights the blue-collar artisans who bring movies to life. It distinguishes between movies themselves and the art of filmmaking."
Will 'The Fall Guy' Be in Theaters or on Streaming?
Image via Universal Pictures
Universal plans to launch The Fall Guy in theaters first, given the impressive lineup of stars in the film. Following its theatrical run, Universal typically releases movies for digital rental within a flexible 17-to-45-day timeframe, depending on the film's performance. Eventually, The Fall Guy will make its way to Peacock, following a similar distribution pattern.
Is There a Trailer for 'The Fall Guy'?
On November 2, 2023, Universal unveiled the official trailer for The Fall Guy, which spans three-and-a-half minutes. Accompanied by Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name," the trailer delves into the central theme of unrequited love between the characters portrayed by Gosling and Emily Blunt. As the story unfolds, Gosling is coerced by the movie studio to rescue a missing movie star, in order to prevent the cancellation of Blunt's film.
The film appears to embrace comedy similarly to Leitch's previous works, as the premise leads the characters into amusing situations. It also includes clever inside jokes about Hollywood and touches upon the darker aspects of the industry. The trailer showcases the talented cast portraying other characters in the film, and offers a glimpse of the visually stunning elements, including the dystopian scenes within the film-within-a-film.
What Is 'The Fall Guy' About?
Image via Universal Pictures
In The Fall Guy, we follow Colt Seavers, a unemployed stuntman, who receives an invitation from his ex-girlfriend, as she makes her much-anticipated directorial debut in a big-budget Hollywood production. She asks Colt to serve as the stuntman for a rising action star who happens to be a complete jerk. However, when this arrogant star mysteriously disappears, Colt is thrust into a mission to locate him and rescue him from the seedy underbelly of the movie industry. In doing so, Colt hopes to not only rekindle his connection with his former love but also salvage the troubled film and establish himself as the ultimate stuntman.
The original TV show featured a weekly adventure plot centered around Colt Seavers, portrayed by Lee Majors, who played both a stuntman and a bounty hunter. The show was renowned for its remarkable stunts and impactful action sequences, considering its limited resources, and had a playful and humorous undertone. The movie adaptation, however, aims to adopt a distinct tone, piquing curiosity about how Leitch will expertly balance comedy and action while presenting a captivating story within a world he evidently possesses extensive knowledge about. According to producer Kelly McCormick in an interview with our website, here's what she had to say about the film.
"David, with a background in stunts, shares an exciting tale about a stuntman who grows and evolves while investigating a crime. What makes this experience incredibly special is our strong commitment to incorporating a significant amount of practical action. We have always prioritized practical action, but in this case, it is on a grand scale. It feels like a heartfelt tribute to the stunt community, the world of cinema, and all of us who contribute to the filmmaking process. This film serves as a love letter to the industry, while also providing immense entertainment and promising an enjoyable experience for the audience."
Official synopsis from Universal:
He is a stuntman, enduring explosions, gunfire, crashes, thrown through windows, and plummeting from great heights, all for our entertainment, just like every member of the stunt community. Fresh from a nearly career-ending accident, this blue-collar hero must now embark on a mission to find a missing movie star, unravel a conspiracy, and win back the love of his life, all while continuing his ordinary job. What could possibly go according to plan?
From acclaimed real-life stuntman and director David Leitch, known for his remarkable work on Bullet Train, Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde, and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and as the producer of John Wick, Nobody, and Violent Night, comes his most personal film to date—a uproariously funny, high-octane action thriller and a heartfelt homage to action cinema and the tireless and underappreciated individuals who bring it to life: The Fall Guy.
Who Stars in 'The Fall Guy'?
The lead role of the stuntman Colt Seavers in The Fall Guy is expertly portrayed by Ryan Gosling. With his portrayal of The Driver in Drive, Gosling showcased his talent as a stuntperson in one of his most iconic roles. Once again, he brings his comedic flair and natural ability to be funny and charismatic to the screen, just as he did in Barbie and The Nice Guys.
Fresh from her highly praised performance in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, Emily Blunt is set to portray Jody Moreno, Ryan Gosling's former girlfriend in the upcoming film. Jody, a former stuntwoman, will be making her directorial debut.
Having previously collaborated with Leitch on Bullet Train, Aaron Taylor Johnson will join forces with the filmmaker once again, taking on the role of Tom Ryder. Tom, an arrogant and self-assured movie star, mysteriously disappears while in the midst of shooting Jody's ambitious blockbuster.
The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once), who has been nominated for an Academy Award, portraying Tom Ryder's assistant. Winston Duke (Black Panther) portrays Colt's best friend, while Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), an Emmy Award winner, takes on the role of a film producer. Teresa Palmer (Lights Out) has also been cast in a yet-to-be-disclosed role. Additionally, there are rumors of a cameo appearance by Lee Majors, the original Fall Guy.
Kelly McCormick and David Leitch, in an interview with our website's Steve Weintraub, revealed that Ryan Gosling went the extra mile by performing some of his own stunts. McCormick expressed her admiration for Gosling's dedication.
“There were a few actions performed by him that, well, there was an instance at the start of the film where he personally executed a descent using our rigging system. It was a monumental aspiration for our rigging team to have such a top-tier actor utilizing a descender rigging system that, if I recall correctly, David, was about 15 stories tall?”
Who Is Making 'The Fall Guy'?
Image via Universal Pictures
DreamWorks initially announced plans for a film adaptation of The Fall Guy back in 2010, with Martin Campbell set to direct and a distribution agreement with Disney's Touchstone Pictures. However, the project encountered delays and remained in development limbo. In 2013, talks emerged of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson taking on the lead role, with McG attached to direct, but the film still struggled to move forward. In September 2020, it was revealed that Leitch and Gosling would collaborate on a drama centering around a stuntman, although the title remained undisclosed. Finally, after two years, Universal gave the official green light to the film, unveiling it as an adaptation of the popular television series.
Known for his stylish action movies, David Leitch has emerged as one of Hollywood's most dependable names. Alongside Chad Stahelski, Leitch revolutionized the genre with the groundbreaking John Wick, leaving a lasting impact on the action film industry. While Stahelski continued to refine his craft within the John Wick franchise, Leitch ventured out to bring his unique style to other films such as Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, and Bullet Train.
For this upcoming film, Leitch will not only be directing but also producing through his production company, 87North, just as he did with Bullet Train. The screenplay is penned by Drew Pearce, known for his work on titles like Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw and Iron Man 3. Joining the team is director of photography Jonathan Sela, who has previously collaborated with Leitch on films like John Wick and Deadpool 2. Kelly McCormick joins Leitch as a producer, along with star Ryan Gosling, Guymon Casady, and original TV show creator Glen A. Larson serving as executive producers alongside Drew Pearce and Geoff Shaevitz.
When and Where Did The Fall Guy Film?
Image via Universal Pictures
The Fall Guy started filming in Sydney, Australia on October 24, 2022. The occasion was announced on 87North Productions' official Instagram account. On March 1, 2023, Kelly McCormick announced on Instagram that filming had concluded.
Will There Be a Sequel to ‘The Fall Guy’?
Image via Universal Pictures
The Fall Guy, although not yet released, has sparked the idea of a potential franchise, according to McCormick and Leitch. McCormick expressed on our website, "There are definitely more stories to tell. Making a movie within a movie allowed us to incorporate many Easter eggs and draw inspiration from our experiences on various sets. The truth often surpasses fiction in these situations, providing endless material. There is great potential in the concept, as future mystery thrillers could be connected to other sets, creating an evergreen franchise. However, the success of this initial film is crucial. We have high hopes and believe it will deliver."
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am eagerly anticipating the release of The Fall Guy. The film's intriguing premise, which combines action, comedy, and romance, has me excited for a thrilling cinematic experience. Ryan Gosling's involvement in the project adds to my anticipation, as he has consistently proven his acting prowess in a variety of genres. Moreover, the addition of Emily Blunt to the cast further elevates my expectations, as she is an incredibly talented actress who brings depth and charisma to every role she portrays.
The trailer, which was recently released, offers a glimpse into the film's dynamic and captivating narrative. The chemistry between Gosling and Blunt is undeniable, and their characters' unrequited love adds an emotional layer to the story. The comedic elements, reminiscent of David Leitch's previous works, promise to provide a balance to the action-packed sequences. The trailer also hints at thought-provoking themes related to the inner workings of Hollywood, which adds depth to the film's narrative.
