LOS ANGELES: Fresh from the high-profile success of “Barbie,” Ryan Gosling used the Los Angeles premiere of his next film “The Fall Guy” to cede the spotlight to unsung heroes of Hollywood — stunt performers.
Loosely based on the 1980s Television series of the same name, “The Fall Guy” stars Gosling as a senior stunt double who must recover from a severe on-set injury to save an old flame (Emily Blunt) from a mysterious real-world threat.
Pressure Increases in Hollywood
The film’s release comes as pressure is increasing in Hollywood for stunt performers to receive more recognition, including an Oscar category of their own.
Pointing to one of his stunt doubles during Tuesday’s red-carpet event, Gosling said that he got set on fire 8 times for him. “How do you thank somebody for that? he added.
In the movie, Gosling’s hero must draw on all of his impressive stunt know-how and tricks– navigating high-speed chases and fighting goons with hastily improvised weapons — to save the day and win back the girl.
Those techniques were on show alongside the A-list stars at the premiere, as stunt actors roared motorcycles down the red carpet, leapt from a sky-high platform, and brawled through a plate-glass window.
Calls have been increasing for a “best stunts” category at the Oscar Awards, with supporters arguing that their work equals that of the visual effects gurus, sound mixers, and makeup artists already honored.
