Ryan Gosling Fights Off Stunt Performers On His Way To 'Jimmy Kimmel: Live'

By Andrew Sanford | TV | May 2, 2024 |

By Andrew Sanford | TV | May 2, 2024 |

The Fall Guy hits theaters this Friday. It feels like it’s been out longer, as I’ve seen the trailer for it no less than 200 times. Whether waiting for a movie to start or watching TV, I’ve been bombarded with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt flirting and then the former jumping onto a helicopter. I’m not mad. The flick looks like fun. That could be because I’ve been beaten into submission or because their stunt-heavy promotion enamors me.

The film is about a stunt performer. It’s based on a television show about stunt performers who were also bounty hunters. David Leitch, a stunt performer, directed the movie. Stunts are in this film’s DNA and it hasn’t shied away from that. Gosling has been accompanied by stunt performers for many promotional activities, including the premiere. It only makes sense that he has to fight off some on his way into a talk-show appearance.

Gosling appeared on Jimmy Kimmel: Live last night. On his way out to the show, the actor is attacked by several stunt performers. It is a thrilling sequence, accompanied by Meatloaf’s I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That). Gosling uses a mug, a camera, a lamp, and Guillermo to stop his would-be attackers, all while clad in an impeccable suit.

“I can’t stop stunting,” Gosling tells Kimmel. His commitment to the bit helps make the whole thing shine. He’s clearly having fun. It’s infectious. So many promotional tours can feel like a star is being held at contractual gunpoint to hype up their movie. Here, we see someone who is not only enjoying what they’re doing but also putting a spotlight on the people who helped make it happen.

Stunt performers are awesome. They put their lives on the line (as safely as possible) to help take a movie to the next level. In a world dominated by CGI extras and nameless villains, it is refreshing to see a film embrace its human performers especially ones who don’t always get the spotlight.