Actress Florence Pugh convinced MCU boss Kevin Feige to let her risk her life for the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Thunderbolts. Pugh, who plays Yelena Belova in the film, was determined to do the scene herself, jumping off Merdeka 118, the world’s second-tallest building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Although the stunt was originally part of the script, it was likely to be removed due to insurance concerns. However, Pugh was adamant about doing the scene without her stunt double, believing it would add authenticity to the film and generate huge interest during the promotional tour.
Reason behind Pugh's decision
In an interview with Fandango, Pugh revealed that she had been constantly emailing Kevin Feige to do the stunt. She jokingly referred to herself as "Sassy Karen" and argued that the stunt would be a goldmine for the film's publicity, with the three women potentially breaking Guinness World Records. Pugh, who said she has no fear of heights and enjoys them, said that the stunt required immense mental control and that she was exhausted and fell asleep for three hours afterward. Her persistence paid off, as Marvel finally gave her permission to do the jump.
Significance of the stunt
The stunt, which took place from the 2,227-foot-high Merdeka 118, is considered one of the most impressive moments in the Thunderbolts film. Backstage clips of the scene and the full scene have been released, showing the impact of the stunt. Faced with criticism that MCU films are generally reliant on CGI (computer-generated imagery), Pugh wanted to promote in-camera action with this stunt. The stunt is seen as a step towards giving MCU films more grounded and visually impressive moments.
About Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts is set to be an action-packed team-up film for the MCU, with Yelena Belova leading the charge. Pugh described the film as a "badass indie" and A24-style film that offers a different experience from the usual MCU formula. The film is set to be released on May 2, 2025, and the stunt is already receiving praise from fans and critics.
Pugh's cinematic journey
Florence Pugh has proven her acting talent with indie and prestigious films like Midsummer and Little Women. She gained further popularity with her role as Yelena Belova in the MCU. Through this stunt, she made it clear that she wanted to improve the quality of the MCU films. By doing this stunt herself, she tried to breathe new life into the action sequences of the film.
Florence Pugh's unwavering determination and the Merdeka 118 jump she did for Thunderbolts will go down as a memorable moment in MCU history. This stunt reflects her courage, dedication to cinema, and her desire to improve the future of the MCU. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Thunderbolts, and hope that this stunt will help make the film a sensational success.