The Fall Guy premiered at SXSW on March 12, 2024, and was released in the United States on May 3, by Universal Pictures. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and has grossed $104 million worldwide. It also set a Guinness World Record for the most cannon rolls performed in a car.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | David Leitch |
| Written by | Drew Pearce |
| Based on | “The Fall Guy” by Glen A. Larson |
| Produced by | Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, Ryan Gosling, Guymon Casady |
| Starring | Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, Winston Duke |
| Cinematography | Jonathan Sela |
| Edited by | Elísabet Ronaldsdóttir |
| Music by | Dominic Lewis |
| Production companies | 87North Productions, Entertainment 360 |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release dates | March 12, 2024 (SXSW), May 3, 2024 (United States) |
| Running time | 126 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $125–150 million (estimated) |
| Box office | $103.7 million (as of latest data) |
The action-packed comedy “The Fall Guy,” helmed by director David Leitch and penned by Drew Pearce, hit screens in 2024. Inspired by the 1980s TV series centered on daredevil performers, the movie stars Ryan Gosling as a skilled stuntman who finds himself embroiled in intrigue while working on his former flame’s (Emily Blunt) directorial debut action flick. The plot thickens when he discovers a conspiracy involving the film’s lead actor, portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The ensemble cast also includes Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, and Winston Duke.
Premiering at SXSW on March 12, 2024, “The Fall Guy” made its nationwide debut in the United States on May 3, courtesy of Universal Pictures. Critics praised the film, resulting in generally positive reviews, and it has raked in $104 million globally. Additionally, it snagged a spot in the Guinness World Records for the highest number of cannon rolls executed in a car.
Cast:
Ryan Gosling takes on the role of Colt Seavers, a seasoned action stuntman, while Emily Blunt portrays Jody Moreno, Colt’s former flame turned first-time director. Aaron Taylor-Johnson steps into the shoes of Tom Ryder, a renowned action film star, with Winston Duke playing Dan Tucker, Colt’s trusted friend and stunt coordinator. Hannah Waddingham shines as Gail Meyer, the producer of Jody’s film, and Teresa Palmer appears as Iggy Starr, Tom’s girlfriend and co-star. Stephanie Hsu rounds out the cast as Alma Milan, Tom’s diligent personal assistant.
In addition, Ben Knight appears as Tom’s bodyguard Dressler, while Zara Michales takes on the role of Venti Kushner. Adam Dunn, Matuse, and Dan Reardon appear as Nigel, Doone, and Fry, respectively. Lee Majors and Heather Thomas, stars of the original TV series, make cameo appearances as prop crew members disguised as police officers in a mid-credits scene, while Jason Momoa makes a cameo appearance as himself.
Production:
In July 2010, the Los Angeles Times disclosed that a film inspired by the 1980s series “The Fall Guy” was in the works. DreamWorks Pictures had partnered with producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, while talks were underway for Martin Campbell to helm the project. Distribution plans involved DreamWorks, under the Touchstone Pictures label of Walt Disney Studios, releasing the film in key markets like North America, Latin America, Russia, Australia, and Asia. Meanwhile, Mister Smith Entertainment was set to handle sales in other territories. By September 2013, negotiations were ongoing for Dwayne Johnson to star in the lead role, with McG in discussions to direct.
Fast forward to September 2020, news broke that Ryan Gosling, director David Leitch, and writer Drew Pearce were collaborating on an “unnamed stuntman film,” which Universal Pictures had picked up. By May 2022, it was confirmed that this project was indeed a cinematic adaptation of “The Fall Guy.” Produced by Universal in conjunction with Leitch’s 87North Productions and Gosling’s Entertainment 360, the film boasted a producing team comprising Leitch, Kelly McCormick, Gosling, and Guymon Casady. Pearce also served as an executive producer, alongside Geoff Shaevitz. Additional funding from the Australian Government and the New South Wales state authorities further bolstered the production, with estimates of substantial economic impact and significant local participation.
Casting updates followed suit, with Emily Blunt securing her role in August 2022. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Stephanie Hsu signed on in October, while Winston Duke, Hannah Waddingham, and Teresa Palmer joined the ensemble the following month.
Gosling and Blunt attributed inspiration for their characters’ romantic dynamic to director David Leitch and his producer spouse, Kelly McCormick. Blunt’s character originally conceived as a makeup artist underwent a transformation into a first-time director, influenced by her input into the script. Blunt aimed to imbue her character with complexity, drawing inspiration from director Greta Gerwig and various individuals she had encountered.
