It’s surprising how little the 2024 film ‘The Fall Guy’ shares with its namesake TV series.
Starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, this Universal Pictures blockbuster is set to kick off the summer season at the box office, helmed by director David Leitch (‘Deadpool 2’, ‘Bullet Train’).
While loosely inspired by the 1980s ABC series ‘The Fall Guy’, the movie diverges significantly from its predecessor.
The main similarity lies in both lead characters being named Colt Seavers, portrayed by Lee Majors in the original series and Ryan Gosling in the film. However, beyond this, the differences are stark.
In the movie, Gosling’s Colt Seavers, a stunt performer, finds himself unwittingly embroiled in a murder investigation, showcasing a bumbling yet innocent demeanor far removed from Majors’ portrayal.
The original series followed Majors’ Seavers as a part-stuntman, part-bounty hunter, finding the risks of capturing criminals, embodying the concept of a “fall guy” for justice.
Emily Blunt’s character, Jody Moreno, is an aspiring filmmaker in the film, a departure from Heather Thomas’ stunt performer character, Jody Banks, in the TV show.
Interestingly, Majors makes a surprise cameo alongside Thomas during a mid-credits scene, highlighting the nod to the original series.
Despite sharing character names, ‘The Fall Guy’ movie crafts its own narrative, with Gosling’s character serving as a stuntman for Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s character, Tom Ryder.
The plot, penned by Drew Pearce, revolves around Colt’s journey to uncover the truth behind Tom’s disappearance and his involvement in a murder. Gosling’s humor and intense action sequences improve the film, paying homage to stuntwork and delivering an enjoyable experience.
While the film deviates from its source material, it stands out as a fresh take on the classic, offering audiences a blend of humor, action, and intrigue.
‘The Fall Guy’ is now showing in theaters, promising an entertaining cinematic ride for viewers.
