Thunderbolts* Reveals Its Most Terrifying Stunt (& It Was Florence Pugh’s Idea)

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In the blockbuster movie Thunderbolts*, Florence Pugh masterminded a nerve-wracking stunt that could have been omitted due to its extreme danger. Unlike many action sequences in superhero films, which are often filmed in front of green screens, the opening scene of Thunderbolts* was filmed using the second-tallest building in the world as a backdrop. Finding an actor who felt secure enough to leap from such a towering structure was no small feat, but fortunately, Pugh, playing Yelena Belova, stepped up to the challenge with confidence. It turns out that this stunt was so perilous that Disney initially considered scrapping it altogether.

In a behind-the-scenes clip titled “The Jump,” Thunderbolts showcased how they helped Florence Pugh and director Jake Schreier execute an exhilarating stunt for the Marvel Studios film. “Jake asked me at the start, ‘Do you enjoy heights?’ To which I responded, ‘I adore heights,'” Pugh begins. Schreier explains that they aimed to make a strong impact at the beginning of Thunderbolts, and what could be more effective than traveling to Kuala Lumpur, visiting the second-tallest building globally, and having Florence Pugh leap off its ledge.

Absolutely, Pugh was securely fastened using harnesses and ropes to prevent a fatal fall. Yet, this didn’t deter Disney Health and Safety from turning down the stunt initially. They managed to execute the stunt only because Pugh was confident in it and persisted in making it a reality, demonstrating her faith in the stunt team.

After finishing their early-morning antic, the Thunderbolts team shifted focus to another sequence where they demolished a section of a building. As Schreier chuckles, he recalls, “We filmed Florence leaping from that building in the morning hours, and later in the afternoon, we moved to another street and exploded an entire floor of a building.

You can watch the stunt in the opening scene of Thunderbolts* below:

In a chat with Fandango, the talented cast of Thunderbolts – featuring Florence Pugh (as yet unspecified character), David Harbour (Red Guardian), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Valentina Allegra de Fontaine), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost), Wyatt Russell (John Walker), and Geraldine Viswanathan (Mel) – shared their thoughts on the upcoming movie. They were asked an intriguing question: what might motivate someone to join the Thunderbolts rather than the Avengers, sparking some amusing responses.

Harbour expresses, “It would hold significant value for us,” while Pugh says, “A victory would be particularly meaningful for us.” They also mention that their approach might not be conventional and could result in some damage along the way. However, they assure it will be done with flair! They hint at needing some refinements, but they seem to prefer doing things on their own terms, so they’ll just carry on as planned.

Intrigue surrounds Viswanathan’s character “Mel,” as fans ponder if she could be portraying the Marvel hero known as Songbird. Viswanathan himself described Mel as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s trusted sidekick in the storyline. Interestingly, Songbird’s real name is also Melissa Gold, and a recent TV advertisement for Thunderbolts* shows this “Mel” wearing a necklace with a small bird charm. We’ll need to wait until May 2nd to discover if Songbird will be part of the cast in the upcoming Thunderbolts*.

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2025-04-15 17:43