The Fall Guy (2024)

Detailed Summary

Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) is a stuntman who stepped away from the business after a career-ending accident. He’s coaxed back by producer Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham) to help locate the missing movie star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), who’s starring in Jody Moreno’s (Emily Blunt) directorial debut, Metalstorm. Colt’s return is as much about helping Jody—his ex and a camera operator turned director—as it is about finding the truth. Along the way, Colt discovers a body and becomes the prime suspect in what quickly becomes a murder scandal. Unsurprisingly, he ventures through betrayals, deep fake conspiracies, and shady entourage members to clear his name.

The climax unfolds on the Metalstorm set: Colt convinces Tom to confess to the murder while wired with a microphone, as the stunt team holds off the goons. Yet Gail grabs the recording and attempts to flee in a helicopter with Tom. In a daring mid-air move, Colt leaps onto the chopper, reclaims the recording, and lands safely on a crash mat set up by his stunt team led by Dan. The helicopter then crashes, sending Gail and Tom out of the picture.

At San Diego Comic-Con, the trailer for Metalstorm debuts—Jason Momoa has taken Tom’s place as the lead, the movie becomes a hit, Colt is cleared of wrongdoing, and he and Jody rekindle their romance.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes! After the credits, which include behind-the-scenes stunt and bloopers footage, comes a bonus tag. The camera cuts to Gail and Tom staggering from the crashed helicopter, where they’re arrested by police officers—played by Lee Majors and Heather Thomas, stars of the original 1980s The Fall Guy TV series. Tom panics and searches for a phone signal—walking into a pyrotechnics zone, triggering explosives, and promptly blowing himself up. Alma, Tom’s assistant, calmly calls Jason Momoa’s agent, implying he’s now the star of Metalstorm.

Type of Movie

This is a high-octane, meta action-comedy—part rom-com, part thriller, part homage—celebrating stunt work and the film industry. It blends action, humor, romance, and backstage intrigue into an adrenaline-filled summer ride.

Cast

• Ryan Gosling as Colt Seavers
• Emily Blunt as Jody Moreno
• Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Tom Ryder
• Hannah Waddingham as Gail Meyer
• Winston Duke, Stephanie Hsu, Teresa Palmer in supporting roles

Film Music and Composer

The score is composed by Dominic Lewis, returning after Bullet Train. Inspired by music styles of the 1970s and ’80s for tonal match, he even wrote the end-credits love ballad first. Producer Kelly McCormick wanted Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” for one nostalgic sequence, though decisions shifted during production.

Filming Locations

Principal photography took place in Sydney, Australia—including Disney Studios Australia, the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Kurnell, Martin Place, and Pyrmont—offering scenic backdrops for the stunts.

Awards and Nominations

While The Fall Guy didn’t garner major awards, it was praised for its breathtaking stunt work: The Hollywood Reporter named it as having the best stunts of 2024.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Broke the Guinness World Record for most cannon rolls in a car: eight and a half rolls by Logan Holladay
• Directed by ex-stuntman David Leitch, bringing insider authenticity to the stunt scenes
• Love letter to stunt professionals; used practical, highly-choreographed effects

Inspirations and References

Clearly inspired by the 1980s TV series The Fall Guy, starring Lee Majors as Colt Seavers. The film is thick with action-movie nods: a dog named Jean-Claude (a nod to Van Damme), tribute to Burt Reynolds’ free-fall, and Mission Impossible-style stunts.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No public details on alternate endings or deleted scenes, beyond the post-credits tag. The extended cut release includes an additional 20 minutes of footage, but specifics aren’t widely documented.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Not based on a book—it’s a loose adaptation of a TV show. No novel exists, so there are no literary comparisons to explore.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The atrium jump that ends Colt’s career
• Colt’s methodical tracking of Tom, discovering the deep fake plot
• The staged confession on the Metalstorm set
• The mid-air jump onto the helicopter and retrieve of the recording

Iconic Quotes

• Colt, mid-operation: “Three bars!” (just before disaster hits)
• Lee Majors as cop smirking at Tom: “Actor.” post-explosion

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Cameos by Lee Majors and Heather Thomas, original Colt and Jody
• Homage to stunt legends and slash of meta references (Van Damme dog, Mission Impossible tropes)

Trivia

• Director David Leitch is a former stuntman (John Wick, etc.)
• The film initially underperformed at the box office, grossing ~$181M on a $125-150M budget
• It found new life on streaming through platforms like Peacock and became a “perfect couch movie”

Why Watch?

If you’re craving high-energy action, reflexive Hollywood humor, and a rare spotlight on stunt professionals, this film delivers. It’s glossy, affectionate, and thrilling—a glamorous behind-the-scenes romp with heart and explosive flair.

Director’s Other Movies (by David Leitch)

• John Wick (2014)
• Atomic Blonde (2017)
• Bullet Train (2022)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
• Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
• Bullet Train (2022)
• Deadpool 2 (2018)