How Did Florence Pugh Convince Marvel to Let Her Jump Off World’s Second Tallest Building? Thunderbolts Actress Reveals

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As a dedicated follower, I proudly share my account of Florence Pugh’s extraordinary accomplishment: I embarked on an arduous task that seemed nearly insurmountable and triumphed with unparalleled brilliance. The talented actress disclosed the strategy she employed to persuade Marvel mastermind Kevin Feige against employing a stunt double for one of the perilous action scenes in Thunderbolts.

In her conversation with Fandango, this Thunderbolts actress revealed that she persistently argued with Marvel Studios for an adventurous scene involving a daring jump: leaping off the world’s second tallest structure, the Merdeka 118 tower located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

At a towering 2,722 feet, the skyscraper found itself at the center of a secret power play between Marvel decision-makers and actress Pugh. Initially, they had been refused authorization for the daring stunt because of insurance concerns related to Pugh.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: “I had meticulously gone through every email, following the script closely. However, as our filming date neared, they shared their concerns that an insurance complication might prevent the shoot from happening – and needless to say, no one wanted to jeopardize my safety by sending me off the second tallest building in the world.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pugh portrays Yelena Belova. Originally, a significant scene for her character was scripted, but as filming approached, it was reduced in intensity. Unperturbed, Pugh persistently emailed Feige, advocating for the reinstatement of that scene.

She exclaimed, “I was boldly messaging Kevin [Feige], expressing that it would be fantastic for the press tour. It’s crucial that we carry out this plan! Not only will we have three women shattering three distinct Guinness World Records, but we also have these additional plans in store.

Ultimately, I managed to persuade the studio. I described the experience as exhilarating, with the mental preparation proving far more draining than the actual physical feat. I had to persistently press Marvel for approval before they eventually arranged for me to perform the stunt of falling off one of the world’s second tallest buildings.

She went on to say, “I’m comfortable with heights, even find them enjoyable, but what I faced that day was something entirely unexpected and overwhelming. The mental strength I needed on that day was almost like a superpower of its own.

Among a small group of talented performers, the actress who portrays Black Widow stands out by executing groundbreaking stunts without relying on stunt doubles, much like Tom Cruise, famed for his jaw-dropping stunts in the Mission: Impossible series.

Thunderbolts* arrives in theaters on May 2, 2025.

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2025-04-15 12:52