‘War Machine’ Star Alan Ritchson Breaks Down Underwater Stunt

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I just finished watching Netflix’s new sci-fi action flick, and let me tell you, Alan Ritchson – you know, the guy from Reacher – is fantastic. He’s clearly comfortable doing his own stunts, which is awesome, but there was one stunt for this movie, which Netflix hyped as their biggest yet, that he says he’ll never attempt again. It was seriously intense!

Alan Ritchson, who stars in War Machine, and director Patrick Hughes recently spoke with MovieWeb about the physically demanding work that went into filming the movie’s action scenes. The Netflix thriller centers around Army Ranger trainees who must battle a powerful, high-tech killer robot during their final selection course. Both Ritchson and Hughes prioritized using real, on-set effects rather than relying on computer-generated imagery, and Ritchson aimed to establish the film’s intense, practical approach with his performance.

I’m eager to be actively involved in projects that require passion, dedication, and physical commitment. I believe the best way to inspire that level of involvement in others is to lead by example and do things myself. That’s why I always try to perform my own stunts and fully immerse myself in the work – that enthusiasm tends to spread to everyone else.


Netflix

Ritchson filmed a challenging scene where he had to swim the length of a pool underwater while carrying weights. Despite not having much time to practice holding his breath, the actor, known for his role in War Machine, completed the scene successfully, though he attributes it to luck.

I was really worried about the underwater scenes because I can’t hold my breath for very long. I hadn’t had time to train, and some of the shots required holding my breath for up to four minutes. We just had to try, and I think I got lucky. I was determined to get the shot, even if it was difficult, and we managed to get the footage we needed.

Ritchson successfully performed the stunt, even managing to hit the camera during the final moment. However, he felt it was a unique occurrence. “I don’t think I could ever do that again,” he said. “It was a special combination of circumstances that made it work.”

The new action film, War Machine, is now available on Netflix. It stars Alan Ritchson as a soldier—identified only as 81—who is put through a rigorous Army Ranger training course, only to find himself battling a bizarre, supernatural enemy. The film also features a strong supporting cast including Dennis Quaid, Stephan James, Jai Courtney, and Esai Morales, among others. Patrick Hughes, the director of films like The Expendables 3, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, and The Man from Toronto, helmed the project, co-writing the screenplay with James Beaufort. Here’s a brief overview of the plot:

During the final, incredibly difficult challenge of Army Ranger training, a combat engineer has to guide his team in a battle against a massive, alien weapon designed to destroy them.

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2026-03-06 23:11