All About David Leich’s “The Fall Guy” Movie

Movies
Written By Vincent L. Smith

Written by Vincent Smith & Michael Lee

*All Media used in this article is courtesy Universal Pictures

Photo via Universal Pictures

"The Fall Guy," released by Universal on May 3, 2024, has garnered attention with its unique blend of action, humor, and drama, directed by stuntman-turned-director David Leitch. Starring Ryan Gosling as Colt Seavers, a stuntman entangled in a mission involving a missing movie star and criminal conspiracies, the film explores the often overlooked world of stunt performance. With an opening weekend box office of $27.7 million and current cumulative earnings of $100 million worldwide, the film examines the life-threatening risks taken by stunt performers through a compelling narrative. This article will feature exclusive insight into the film with cast interviews, film clips, a plot synopsis and a breakdown of how its coverage across global media outlets.

“The Fall Guy” - Official Trailer

Video Courtesy Universal Pictures

Cast & Crew Interviews

Plot Synopsis

Colt Seavers, a seasoned Hollywood stunt performer often works as the student double for Tom Ryder. When Ryder suddenly becomes injured in a stunt gone terribly wrong, Colt Seaverrs blames himself and leaves the industry and his girlfriend, Judy Morerno, a camera operator also in the business.

“The Fall Guy” Featurette - A Look Inside | Video Courtesy Universal Pictures

Some months later, Colt is working valet for a tiny mom and pop Mexican restaurant and is suddenly contacted by Tom Ryder’s film producer, a woman named Gail Meyer. She informs Seavers that his ex-girlfriend, Judy Moreno, is now directing her directorial debut, a film called Metalstorm, a science-fiction epic that is filming in Sydney, Australia and that Judy wants him to join their production.

“The Fall Guy” Film Clip - Dan gets Colt into a car for a stunt | Video Courtesy Universal Pictures

Colt makes the journey to Australia and arrives on set the next day only for him to learn that Gail lied and Judy never actually asked for Colt to join the production and is still very angry with Colt over their sudden breakup. Gail Meyer tells Colt that Tom Ryder has completely disappeared after his well publicized battle with a drug addiction and Gail wants Colt to find Tom before his absence begins affecting the film, worrying that without Ryder, the film will be canceled.

“The Fall Guy” Featurette - Carpool | Video Courtesy Universal Pictures

Though things with Colt and Judy are tense, he doesn’t want to ruin Jody’s opportunity and directorial debut so Colt pursues Tom’s trail, locating his last known location, a nightclub and hybrid hotel. When Colt makes his way to Tom’s hotel room, Colt discovers a dead body in the bathtub floating around in ice but when he brings the police to the scene of the crime, the body has all but disappeared.

“The Fall Guy” Film Clip - Jody finds out why Colt is on her movie set | Video Courtesy Universal Pictures

As the production of Judy’s film Metalstorm continues, both Judy and Colt manage to rekindle their relationship slowly but surely, as the pair still very much have feelings for each other. This is interrupted when Gail informs Colt that he must return to the United States. Tom ignores Gail and continues to search for Ryder by locating Alma Milan, Ryder’s personal assistant. The two are suddenly attacked by another mysterious group who are looking for Tom’s phone, which Alma has in her possession. Colt manages to defeat them but not before a long and tennous chase throughout the bulk of Sydney.

“The Fall Guy” Featurette - Introducing The Stunt Team | Video Courtesy Universal Pictures

Colt, with the phone in hand, reunites with his old friend Dan Tucker, the student coordinator on Judy’s film Metalstorm. The two unlock the phone together and discover a video of Tom drunkenly (and accidentally) killing his previous stuntman, Henry. Collt and Dan are eventually attacked by a group of mysterious henchmen, destroying the phone in gunfire. Dan manages to escape but Colt is then captured and brought right to Tom Ryder, who is revealed to have been hiding out on a private yacht per Gail’s instructions. Tom reveals to Colt that Gail’s plan is to frame himself for the crime, using deepfake technologyto replace Tom’s face with Colt’s face in the video detailing Henry’s death. Tom also reveals that Henry’s so-called accidents were indeed orchestrated by Tom himself.

“The Fall Guy” Film Clip - Gail convinces Colt to find Ryder | Video Courtesy Universal Pictures

Henry’s body is then discovered and the doctored video by Gail is released to the public. Gail tries to convince Jody that Colt is indeed guilty. Colt eventually escapes the yacht and is pursued in a boat chase and is assumed dead, though he actually has swam to safety. Tom Ryder arrives at the set of Metalstorm with his henchman and the production continues successfully until Colt makes his secret arrival and finally convinces Jody of his innocence. Both Jody and Colt trick Tom to participate in a stunt and trick him into confession, all while his wired microphone is still live and hot, breaking his maintained innocence. His brute henchman tries to apprehend them, but Dan and the crew hold them off.

“The Fall Guy” Featurette - Sparks Fly | Video Courtesy Universal Pictures

Gail then attempts to steal the confession recording at gunpoint and attempts to flee, but Jody assists Colt in leaping into the helicopter to apprehend Gail in mid-air. Colt successfully retrieves the recording and falls into a crash mat which has been set up by Dan. The police arrive and Tom makes a phone call all while standing near very sensitive explosives, which blow him up, killing him.

“The Fall Guy” Film Clip - Colt asks Jody on a date before his big helicopter stunt | Video Courtesy Universal Pictures

Metalstorm has its premiere at San Diego Comic Con and has replaced Tom Ryder as the lead with Jason Momoa and is a box-office smash. Colt is now relieved of any crime and he and Jody finally rekindle their romance. As the screen fades to black, a montage of real behind the scenes stunt footage from the film is played as the credits roll.

Cast Breadown

Ryan Gosling leads the cast as Colt Seavers, a stuntman drawn back into the fray to uncover a Hollywood mystery and clear his name. Emily Blunt portrays Jody Moreno, Colt's ex-girlfriend and the director of the film within a film, whose relationship with Colt is central to the story's emotional core. Supporting roles are masterfully handled by Winston Duke, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham and Stephanie Hsu; each adding depth and intrigue to the unfolding drama. View photos of the cast along with their IMDB links below.

Ryan Gosling - “Colt Seavers”

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain - © 2014 Getty Images

Emily Blunt - “Jody Moreno”

Photo by George Pimentel - © 2011 George Pimentel

Winston Duke - “Dan Tucker”

Photo by Vivien Killilea - © 2019 Getty Images

Hannah Waddingham - “Gail Meyer”

Photo by Franziska Krug - © 2015 Franziska Krug

Stephanie Hsu - “Alma Milan”

Photo by Jonny Marlow

“The Fall Guy” In The Media

"The Fall Guy" received a varied reception from critics and audiences, reflected in its media coverage. While it had a strong opening weekend, it struggled to achieve profitability against its substantial budget of $125-140 million. Publications like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter discussed the film’s appeal and its homage to the stunt community, though noted its underwhelming box office performance relative to expectations. Despite the financial aspects, the film was praised for its authentic portrayal of stunt work and its thrilling action sequences, highlighting the physical and emotional challenges faced by stunt performers. View a list of some of the top media coverage below.

Conclusion

"The Fall Guy" serves as a tribute to the stunt community, offering audiences a glimpse into the perilous yet exhilarating world behind the scenes of blockbuster movies. If our breakdown of the film prompts you to go check it out, let us know what you think about it in the comments below. For more info on Hollywood’s latest releases, be sure to check out our movie blog!

Vincent L. Smith https://www.vincentleesmith.com
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