Elijah Wood Threw His Back Out Filming Sin City Fight Scenes!

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In the neo-noir thriller “Sin City,” starring Elijah Wood, the fight scene between Marv (Mickey Rourke) and his cunning foe, Kevin (Elijah Wood), provided him with an unprecedented career experience. Released in 2005 and co-directed by Frank Miller, the film is based on his comic book series, with multiple intertwining stories taking place within the corrupt city of Basin City. Among these tales, “The Hard Goodbye” centers around Marv’s relentless quest for vengeance in response to Goldie’s unexpected demise, which eventually brings him face-to-face with Kevin.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, let me share an intriguing tidbit from a recent interview with Wood for Vanity Fair. In this conversation, Wood revealed that the intense brawl between Marv and Kevin in Sin City was an unprecedented career moment for him. Though my time on set was brief, as I completed my scenes within a few days, it was a unique experience working alongside Rourke’s stunt double.

For most of our fight scene, I was tethered by wires, and to put it frankly, “I think I strained my back.” You can read his candid remarks below.

During our shoot, we captured all of Kevin’s scenes in just two days. Notably, ‘Sin City’ was filmed entirely on a soundstage, using green screens. Most sets were not physically built but rather added later during post-production. When I arrived in Austin to film, the entire Marv character, played by Mickey Rourke, had already been completed. So, I worked primarily with his stunt double at that point. Before my arrival, they asked if I had experience with wire work, which I didn’t. However, I was more than willing to give it a try. As a result, many of the jump kicks you see were performed while suspended on harnesses and wires. It was an incredible experience! By the end of the two days, I believe I strained my back, as I was in some discomfort by the final day.

In addition, Wood shared that he had a sneak peek at “Sin City” beforehand, and was amazed by how it accurately portrayed and respected “the style in which Frank Miller depicted these characters and built this world.” He went on to describe his audition process, which primarily involved him speaking directly into a camera, and expressed his pleasure in playing the role of Kevin. The entire interview can be found below:

What This Means For Sin City

The Action Scenes Required Work

In “Sin City,” the movie is heavily influenced by film noir style, which explains why it incorporates wire work and elaborate fight scenes beyond simple hand-to-hand combat. For instance, when Marv initially encounters Kevin, the skilled assassin attacks him, sending him crashing to the ground with powerful kicks before rendering him unconscious with a sledgehammer. As Marv grows more resolved to pursue him, Rourke’s character indiscriminately slaughters an entire police unit single-handedly in the ensuing turmoil.

In the gritty world of Sin City, there are numerous intense action sequences that stand out, such as weaponry, explosions, high-speed chases, and brutal fist fights. Among these, the battles between Marv and Kevin are particularly noteworthy due to their contrasting physiques and Kevin’s exceptional abilities. In their second encounter, Marv strategically places obstacles, but Kevin astonishingly leaps over them. He proceeds to pummel Marv from mid-air, delivering powerful blows while suspended in the air until Marv eventually gains the upper hand. This perfectly encapsulates the exaggerated reality portrayed in Sin City.

Our Take On Wood’s Sin City Character

He Makes The Most Of His Role

A striking scene from the “The Hard Goodbye” narrative unfolds when Kevin’s brutal, cannibalistic traits are unveiled. His quiet demeanor, paired with razor-sharp claws and nimbleness, elevated each confrontation with Marv, making them captivating. Although a minor role in Sin City, it presented a unique challenge for Wood, but he seized the opportunity and, as he shared, he relished the experience.

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2025-04-21 00:00