In a recent interview, director Ben Wheatley shed light on Hollywood actor Jason Statham’s unwavering passion for performing his own stunts in the upcoming film Meg 2. Wheatley discussed Statham’s fervor for hands-on action and his determination to execute as many stunts as possible by himself. Whether navigating a jet ski through the waters or facing other thrilling challenges, Statham’s commitment to authenticity shone through, as highlighted by Wheatley.
As the filmmaker was preparing for the highly anticipated release of Meg 2, he delved into Statham’s dedication to his craft. Wheatley elaborated on the intricate details of capturing genuine expressions during stunts, sharing insights into a unique setup involving water and a giant hand drill.
Ben Wheatley revealed how Jason Statham’s obsession horrified him
Ben Wheatly emphasized Jason Statham’s desire to minimize the use of gimbal shots, underlining the actor’s active involvement in crafting realistic and engaging sequences. Discussing Statham’s daring approach to his stunts just like other Hollywood stars like Jackie Chan and Tom Cruise, Wheatley recounted an instance where the actor was suspended upside down on a specially designed apparatus, with water being fired at his face to achieve authentic reactions.
“Because the physics of a face are hard to fake – you have to be upside down to really look like you are upside down – we had Jason on this kind of giant hand drill setup, and we’d pull the trigger and spin him around, firing water at his face.”
However, it was not just Statham who was shooting with a racing heart. Recounting how the crew was scared for the Wild Card actor, Wheatley added,
“He wanted as few gimbal shots as possible, almost all of it is him -obviously not jumping a giant wave, but him riding a jet ski very, very quickly. And scarily, we were all at the monitors, saying, ‘Please come back all right!”
It’s clear that despite the exhilarating challenges, Statham’s safety remained a paramount concern for the entire crew. Meg 2: The Trench promises audiences a larger-than-life cinematic experience, building upon the success of its predecessor.
What can the audience expect from Meg 2: The Trench?
Apart from Jason Statham, the film stars acclaimed global icon Wu Jing, who leads an intrepid research team on a high-stakes expedition into the ocean’s deepest recesses. Under Wheatley’s visionary direction, the narrative takes an unexpected turn when the team’s mission is threatened by a malevolent mining operation, setting the stage for an intense battle for survival.
Facing colossal sea creatures and unrelenting environmental adversaries, Statham and Wu Jing’s characters engage in a thrilling race against time. As Meg 2 pushes the boundaries of action and adventure, it showcases the convergence of beguiling storytelling and enthralling action sequences.
Produced by di Bonaventura/Apelles Entertainment, Inc. in association with DF Pictures, Meg 2: The Trench is a Warner Bros. Pictures and CMC Pictures production. The film made its global debut on August 3, 2023, offering audiences a gripping cinematic journey into the depths of excitement and suspense.
Source: IMDb
