Interview: Luke Hemsworth Talks New Action Movie Gunner, Working With Morgan Freeman

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for action-packed adventures, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement when I come across a film like Gunner. The synopsis alone promises a gripping tale of family, loss, and revenge, all wrapped up in an explosive package of adrenaline-fueled action sequences.

In a recent interview, Tyler Treese, Editor-in-Chief of ComingSoon, chatted with Luke Hemsworth from Gunner’s cast about the film’s thrilling stunts and collaborating with the iconic Morgan Freeman. The high-octane movie can now be purchased digitally and is being screened in selected Regal Cinemas.

As a devoted fan, here’s my take on paraphrasing the synopsis:

Tyler Treese: Luke, it seems like you’re going to have a great time dishing out some action in this one! There are some incredibly creative and entertaining fight sequences. Out of all of them, I particularly enjoyed the one where you were in the woods, facing off against these two agile women who used their bodies as weapons against each other. Could you tell us about filming that scene? It’s such a thrill to watch!

Luke Hemsworth: It’s fantastic! The Thai stunt team was incredible – so skilled, generous, and incredibly patient with me. I had just recovered from a broken ankle on Christmas Eve and underwent surgery. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to perform many of the planned stunts. However, I must give credit to them for their expertise, as well as my surgeon and everyone else who helped me get through it. Remarkably, I was able to execute every single stunt in the film – there isn’t a single one that wasn’t performed by me.

Indeed, I’m merely an individual engaging in boxing practice in my yard. They’re exceptionally skilled at enhancing one’s performance. We often improvised and learned new techniques spontaneously during training sessions. A wide range of creative, cutting-edge methods were employed to ensure the fights appeared as authentic and captivating as possible. I believe a significant portion of this creativity is attributable to them.

It’s astonishing to learn about your injury since it’s not something I could have guessed from the final result.

I was genuinely thrilled to see how prominent Morgan Freeman’s role is in this movie. When you actually encounter him, it adds an exciting, rejuvenating vibe to the film. Even at his age, he’s electrifying on screen. Working with a genuine living legend like him was a remarkable experience because he continues to bring so much value and impact to this project.

Sharing a seat with him felt like a dream, and I’m guessing it was the same for him to be seated next to me [laughs]. He was incredibly kind and generous towards me. I found myself getting star-struck and excited. I peppered him with countless questions about everything he’s ever accomplished because I had his undivided attention.

He found himself trapped in the vehicle with me, perched high above on a platform that made escape difficult. After some time had passed, I inquired about his favorite film director and he responded, “Clint Eastwood.” When I asked why, he simply replied, “Because he doesn’t delve too deeply.” I nodded in understanding, signaling my comprehension and then departed.

As a seasoned film enthusiast with a keen eye for acting prowess, I must say that moment was truly captivating. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. It was indeed heartwarming. What struck me most about this movie is how it showcased your versatile talent as an actor. The intense fight scenes were undeniably thrilling, but what really set this film apart was the deep, character-driven story centered around a grieving father who has lost touch with his sons. Having gone through similar experiences myself, I can attest to the difficulty of portraying such complex emotions authentically on screen. So, I’m genuinely curious – how did you manage to bring your full range of abilities to life in this role?

It seems you’re looking for a complex character, not just a one-dimensional figure, right? You want someone with depth, and this character shares similarities with MacGyver in terms of versatility, but he also has a deep emotional side. He carries pain, and there are intriguing layers to him that can be explored, leading to profound questions about morality, such as: What would you do if someone harmed your family? How far would you go in response? As a father, these questions hit close to home, even though I’m not sure I’d react the same way. But that’s his specialty – he sees it as retaliation for the first strike against him, not the other way around.

Thanks to Luke Hemsworth for talking about Gunner.

2024-08-17 00:11

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