Emily Blunt shares how her chemistry with Ryan Gosling in 'The Fall Guy' revives feels in action rom-com films
Action movies with romance are a bit rare nowadays, but The Fall Guy brings back the magic and butterflies of the genre, especially with its stars Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling's natural romantic chemistry as exes.
The upcoming film, which is loosely based on the 1980s television series of the same name, follows the story of Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt) who is on the edge of making her directorial debut while dealing with her missing A-list cast and the comeback of her stuntman ex, Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) who ghosted her years ago.
"The last thing she needs is this ex-boyfriend showing up," Emily said in an exclusive interview.
Dishing more on the filmmaking from behind the scenes, Emily described Jody as someone warm, yet “eccentric and a bit of a mess.”
“She is someone super creative who used to work below the line as a camera operator and is passionate about making movies. Now she's working above the line and desperately wants to succeed,” she added.
Behind her passion for filmmaking, Jody carries a burden from her split with her ex, who ultimately ghosted her after he had an “almost career-ending accident” on a film set.
On working with Ryan Gosling and their natural chemistry
Emily also shared how breezy it was working with Ryan, who she described as “captivating, funny, smart and quick-witted" that they can go on with the scenes without religiously sticking to the script.
“I just don't know who else could play the role of Colt Seavers,” Emily said.
“He's so alive, grounded, and loose. And he becomes a hero, but the most sort of unwilling hero. That’s what makes him all the more lovable because he's so vulnerable and such a mess, but yet this expert, brilliant stuntman,” she added. “I think all of Ryan's exquisite qualities got to blend into this perfect role for him.”
In fact, their character’s chemistry was so good that they were able to throw in improvisations and banter that had the film’s director, Dave Leitch forget to cue “cut” in some of their scenes!
“There was a lot of banter, and I love that Dave didn't want to call ‘cut’ on it, as we rarely stuck to the script. I feel like every day we would improv and stretch everything around. Ryan, especially, was constantly on the search for something funnier and more exciting,” she shared.
Emily also noted how Ryan’s spontaneity helped them build the love story as authentic as possible.
“That’s what's wonderful about working with him, as he's so alive and spontaneous. I love working like that, especially when you're trying to create a love story and something that people can see themselves in,” she said.
On reviving the ‘dead romance’ in Hollywood films
Over the years, the movie landscape has evolved. Romantic comedy films, for one, seldom land on big screens unlike in the early 2000s. For Emily, The Fall Guy is a love letter and a trip to nostalgic feelings on romantic comedies.
“I think romance in movies has been left in the dust, and it's sad because I grew up watching those incredible action romantic comedies” she began.
“So, The Fall Guy is 100% a love letter and a throwback to those films that are so nostalgic for me. I believe romance is still alive and kicking in everyone's desires and hearts, so if you can capture it on the big screen and make people laugh, then I'm in!” she added.
Joining Emily and Ryan, The Fall Guy stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Stephanie Hsu, Lee Majors, Winston Duke, and Hannah Wadingham. It is set to premiere in Philippine theaters on May 1.
Watch the official trailer below:
