Sure, Ryan Gosling may be the star (on paper) of this new action packed, star studded thrill film, The Fall Guy, but behind the scenes, the real hero is none other than Logan Holladay, famed stuntman and professional badass. In one particular scene during filming, the Hollywood stuntman executed 8 and a half(!) ‘cannon rolls’ in a car – shattering the Guinness World Record.
After completing this daredevil feat, Ryan Gosling and director David Leitch presented Holladay with the Guinness World Records Certificate to celebrate his achievement on March 13, at a special screening of The Fall Guy in Los Angeles.
The previous Guinness World Record for most cannon rolls was held by stuntman Adam Kirley, having achieved seven cannon rolls during the filming of Casino Royale (2006).
“With The Fall Guy, I’m honoring my roots as a stunt performer,” director David Leitch said. “We wanted to deliver action that was true to the spirit of the stunt community by incorporating techniques that have become somewhat of a lost art. The cannon roll is a classic stunt and was a must-have for this film. And since we were making a movie that honors the work of stunt performers, we didn’t just set out to achieve the cannon roll; we set out to break records and make a statement. Logan executed it flawlessly and showcased why he’s a standout in the stunt community.”
The record-breaking stunt demanded thorough planning and collaboration across multiple departments within the film’s production, with special attention given to the choice of landscape. The stunt was executed on a flat beach, which required rigorous planning and meticulous adjustments given the changing tides and specific terrain requirements. The team conducted extensive testing to fine-tune every aspect of the stunt, experimenting with different pressure settings for the cannon mechanism, strategically placing it underneath the vehicle and analysing the car’s speed and ground density.
This isn’t the first time Gosling has played a stuntman, however, as his nameless character in 2011’s Drive performs the exact same feat, a cannon roll, during a filmed car chase scene
The Fall Guy comes to theatres on May 2, 2024.
Movies about Stuntmen
Death Proof (2007, Quentin Tarantino)
Stuntman Mike, played by Kurt Russel, is, as you may have guessed, a stuntman. And his car is supposedly death proof. A lot of thunderous ignition, swearing, and blood. A true, Tarantino cocktail.
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019, also Quentin Tarantino)
QT has openly talked about his undying love and knowledge of historical Hollywood stuntmen, many of whom worked on classics such as Bullit, Green Hornet, and more. And his 1960s love tale to classic Hollywood cinema features one of his greatest creations, Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt, who is the acid tripping, Bruce Lee-whooping, stuntman who may, or may not, have harpooned his wife to death.
The Stuntman (1980, Richard Rush)
Sean Penn once said this was his favourite American film of all time and, based on the title, you might be able to guess what it’s about. Featuring Peter O’Toole being as O’Toolian as ever, this lesser known film is a glimpse into the end of the 1970’s Hollywood.
Drive (2011, Nicolas Winding Refn)
Okay, just being totally bias here, but this is one of the best films of the 21st century, period. Danish cinematic prodigy and complete weirdo, Nicolas Winding Refn, adapted this film about a stuntman/getaway driver from a pulpy crime novel of the same name, and delivered one of the most iconic soundtracks and neonic colour palates ever produced on film. And fun fact about Refn’s distinct colour choices: he’s colour blind. That’s why they’re so extremely saturated, because if not, he wouldn’t be able to see them. Funny how a physical ‘defect’ can become a piece of art in itself. If you like Drive, watch Refn’s earlier gangster trilogy: Pusher I, II, and III, about the Danish criminal underworld, starring a young Mads Mikkelsen in his first role.
Hot Rod (2007, Akiva Schaffer)
Hell yeah, dude, Hot Rod! This movie, unlike many comedies from this era, has surprisingly aged like wine, and before the age of sending each other internet memes, we would simply recycle bits of dialogue from this Andy Samberg helmed comedy about an aspiring stuntman who tries to raise money for his stepdad’s heart transplant only so he can beat him up in a fist fight. Not even kidding, that is 100% the actual plot of the movie.
Literally any Movie from Jackie Chan Because He Does all of His own stunts
But for this occasion, we’ve included the ’80s classic, Police Story (also directed by him). They’ve made several in this series, but the original Police Story is an absolute classic, one lauded by, naturally, Quentin Tarantino, and one that finally divorced Jackie Chan from Bruce Lee, to whom he was always compared.
Any of the Jackass movies
Before people began risking their lives for a TikTok video, Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and, occasionally, Spike Jonze (and many more), traveled the world doing the most dangerously hilarious stunts ever caught on film, all for your entertainment. And at the start of every film or episode of the MTV show, a warning flashed upon the screen: “These stunts are performed by professionals.” Suuuure.
