The Netflix action movie War Machine is getting a lot of attention because of Alan Ritchson’s impressive physical work. Ritchson plays a soldier nicknamed “81” who’s trying to become an Army Ranger, and a new video from Men’s Journal reveals the extreme lengths he went to prepare for the part.
Near the beginning of the film, character 81 endures a tough training scene where he and fellow recruits walk along the pool floor while carrying weights. Director Patrick Hughes initially intended for actor Joe Ritchson to only walk a short way underwater during this scene.
I heard they told Alan Ritchson to just go as far as he could with that one long take, but they’d cut away if he needed a break. He actually told Men’s Journal he didn’t think he could even hold it for 10 seconds! But he just kept going and going, and they kept the camera rolling for the whole shot. It was amazing!
The crew was stunned by what happened next. Ritchson swam the entire length of the pool underwater, impressively holding weights and his breath the whole time. Hughes remembered that during the scene, a camera operator was positioned underwater to film him. The shot lasted almost two minutes, and Ritchson actually swam right into the operator because there wasn’t enough room to stop. That moment, Hughes realized Ritchson had truly become one with the character, 81.
During filming of a scene for WAR MACHINE, Alan Ritchson impressively held his breath underwater for a full two minutes! 😱
— Netflix (@netflix) March 11, 2026
Ritchson said the training sequences in War Machine were more intense than anything he’d ever done. He explained, “We were really testing the limits of what the human body could handle.”
The new clip from Netflix showcases both how thrilling the scene is and how committed Mike Ritchson is to doing his own stunts. It proves the movie’s action is based on genuine physical strength, not just visual effects.
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2026-03-12 20:15