To convincingly play warriors or athletes, actors often have to get into incredible physical shape. Many young actresses now spend months training in things like wrestling, boxing, martial arts, and even sword fighting to prepare for their roles. This commitment makes action scenes look more realistic and showcases the amazing athleticism of up-and-coming stars in Hollywood.
Florence Pugh
As a huge movie fan, I was really impressed with Florence Pugh’s dedication to ‘Fighting with My Family’! She didn’t just pretend to wrestle; she actually went through serious professional wrestling training. She learned all the complicated moves and even the mental side of being in the ring, working with real trainers. What blew me away was that she did a lot of her own stunts, which made the matches feel so authentic. It’s that level of commitment that really allowed her to convincingly portray the life of a WWE superstar – it wasn’t just acting, it felt real!
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie trained extensively in boxing, gymnastics, and martial arts for her role in ‘Suicide Squad’. She followed a rigorous workout plan to become agile and skilled like her character, and also practiced with weapons, including a baseball bat, to make her movements look natural on screen. This physical training allowed her to perform the complex fight scenes in the film.
Brie Larson
I was so impressed watching Brie Larson transform into Captain Marvel! She really dedicated herself – nine months of incredibly tough training, learning things like judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu so she could do all her own fight scenes. It was amazing to see her share her journey and all the progress she made, getting stronger and more skilled in hand-to-hand combat. All that hard work clearly paid off; she truly became this powerful, cosmic superhero.
Letitia Wright
To prepare for her role as Shuri in ‘Black Panther’, Letitia Wright trained in martial arts. She learned specific fighting styles to represent the unique culture of Wakanda. Working with stunt teams, she became skilled at using the energy gauntlets featured in the film’s action scenes. Wright’s athleticism and accuracy helped make these battles feel more realistic.
Hailee Steinfeld
To prepare for her role in ‘Hawkeye’, Hailee Steinfeld trained in both archery and martial arts. She focused on making her fight scenes look realistic and effortless. Working with professional instructors, she learned how to use a bow and arrow, as well as various striking techniques. This hard work paid off, allowing her to convincingly portray a new hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Maisie Williams
Maisie Williams trained extensively in sword fighting and choreography throughout her time on ‘Game of Thrones’. To accurately portray her character, she even learned to fight left-handed. As her character developed into a highly skilled assassin, Williams mastered a variety of sword techniques. This dedication to martial arts significantly shaped the beginning of her acting career.
Sophie Turner
To get ready for the intense action in ‘X-Men: Dark Phoenix’, Sophie Turner trained in fighting and focused on building her core strength and agility. This allowed her to perform the complicated stunts her role as a powerful mutant demanded. She practiced fight choreography that combined martial arts with wire work, making her character convincingly strong and capable in the film’s final battle scenes.
Anya Taylor-Joy
Anya Taylor-Joy trained extensively for the role of Furiosa, learning stunts and knife skills. She spent months in the desert preparing physically for the fast-paced action and close combat required. Working with a dedicated team, she perfected the survival-based fighting style of her character, and her performance was built on the physical skills she developed during this demanding preparation.
Amber Midthunder
For the movie ‘Prey’, Amber Midthunder fully committed to learning how to fight and use weapons like a traditional Comanche warrior. She collaborated with cultural advisors and fight experts to make sure the action felt real and authentic. Midthunder did a lot of her own stunts, often in tough outdoor locations, to make the film’s survival story believable. Her skills were a key part of what made the intense action movie so successful.
Sasha Calle
To get ready for her role as a superhero in ‘The Flash’, Sasha Calle trained extensively in both Muay Thai and boxing. She dedicated countless hours to honing her fighting skills and movement, aiming to convincingly portray a strong and capable character. Calle knew it was crucial to appear physically powerful, especially during the film’s complex fight sequences. This preparation allowed her to deliver a realistic and impactful performance in the big-budget movie.
Iman Vellani
Iman Vellani did a lot of physical training for her role in ‘The Marvels’ to prepare for the action scenes. She improved her flexibility and learned basic fighting moves so she could convincingly perform alongside digital effects and other actors. Even though her character was new to being a hero, Vellani trained to move like a seasoned fighter. Her energy and physical fitness were crucial to making the action sequences believable.
Xochitl Gomez
To get ready for her role in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’, Xochitl Gomez trained in martial arts like Wushu. She focused on learning smooth, flowing movements and kicks that fit her character’s magical abilities. Gomez worked with experienced stunt professionals to make sure her action scenes looked exciting and were performed safely. Her athletic background made it easier for her to learn the complicated fight choreography for the film.
Rachel Zegler
Rachel Zegler trained in stunt work and combat to get ready for the action-packed role in ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’. She focused on improving her balance and core strength, which helped her perform scenes with harnesses and fake flying fights. Working with the stunt team, she created a specific way for her character to move. This was a big change for her, as she’s mostly known for acting in musicals and dramas.
Zendaya
To prepare for her role in ‘Dune’, Zendaya trained extensively in fight choreography and movement. She collaborated with the film’s team to master the unique fighting techniques of the desert people depicted in the story. Zendaya focused on making her movements practical and realistic, reflecting the challenges of surviving in the film’s harsh setting. Her physical performance and skill helped make the movie’s fantastical world feel believable.
Joey King
For her role in ‘The Princess’, Joey King trained extensively in sword fighting and martial arts. She dedicated weeks to learning how to do most of her own stunts, preparing for the film’s intense action sequences. This included mastering heavy weapons and performing challenging fight choreography on complex sets. Her dedication resulted in a convincing portrayal of a skilled warrior and demonstrated her impressive physical abilities.
Dafne Keen
Dafne Keen started learning martial arts and Eskrima when she was very young to prepare for her role in ‘Logan’. She collaborated with stunt teams to create a fierce and energetic fighting style for her character. Keen continued to hone her combat skills for projects like ‘The Acolyte’, and her talent for performing complex fight choreography has made her a prominent star in action films and series.
Amandla Stenberg
For her roles in ‘The Acolyte’, Amandla Stenberg trained extensively in several martial arts. She spent months learning both unarmed combat and how to use weapons, drawing inspiration from Eastern fighting styles. Working with fight choreographers, she honed her movements to appear graceful yet dangerous on screen. This training was key to convincingly playing a skilled warrior in the Star Wars series.
Natasha Liu Bordizzo
Natasha Liu Bordizzo brought her experience as a Taekwondo black belt to her role in ‘Ahsoka.’ She also trained extensively in sword fighting to convincingly play a skilled warrior. By combining her martial arts background with new stunt work, she developed a distinctive fighting style for the character. This training allowed her to perform many of the show’s most difficult action scenes herself.
Ivanna Sakhno
For her role in ‘Ahsoka’, Ivanna Sakhno trained intensely in lightsaber fighting and physical stunts. She collaborated with skilled choreographers to create a powerful and convincing fighting style, spending hours perfecting her movements and blade work. This commitment to the physical demands of the role allowed her to portray a truly intimidating character.
Alaqua Cox
As a huge movie and TV fan, I was really impressed with Alaqua Cox in ‘Echo’! It turns out she’s a skilled mixed martial artist, and she brought those skills directly to the role. She didn’t just learn a few moves – she worked with trainers to customize her fighting style for the show. What’s even cooler is that she did a ton of her own stunts and really threw herself into those intense fight scenes. Honestly, her physicality and ability to handle herself in a fight were key to who her character was, and it totally showed on screen.
Chloe Bennet
Chloe Bennet put in a lot of work learning boxing and Krav Maga for her role in ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’. As her character became a more active agent and superhero, she spent multiple seasons honing her physical abilities. Bennet frequently performed her own fight scenes and collaborated with the stunt team to create exciting action. Her commitment to learning combat became a defining part of her performance throughout the show’s run.
Sydney Sweeney
As a huge movie fan, I was really impressed with Sydney Sweeney in ‘Madame Web’! It turns out she’s been training in martial arts and other combat sports since she was young, and she actually used that experience in her role. She didn’t just pretend to fight – she worked closely with the stunt team to make sure all the punches and grappling looked real and felt authentic. It definitely gave her performance a solid, believable edge, which is awesome to see in a superhero movie!
Kathryn Newton
To get ready for her part in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’, Kathryn Newton trained in boxing and fighting. She wanted to convincingly portray someone who had been preparing to be a hero for a long time. During pre-production, she focused on improving both her speed and her ability to defend herself, which allowed her to confidently act alongside the other experienced action stars in the Marvel movies.
Ella Balinska
Ella Balinska prepared for her role in ‘Charlie’s Angels’ by training in several fighting styles and learning to handle weapons. Her natural athleticism and height helped her quickly learn the complicated fight choreography. She practiced stunts that combined martial arts with fast-paced action, and was able to perform most of her own stunts in the film.
Kristen Stewart
As a huge cinema fan, I was really impressed with what Kristen Stewart did to prepare for ‘Charlie’s Angels’! She didn’t just learn a few moves – she fully committed to martial arts and boxing, working with pros to create a really believable, tough fighting style for her character. It was a deliberate choice, too; she wanted this role to feel completely different from the more dramatic work she’s known for, and all that training really paid off. There are some genuinely fantastic action scenes in the movie, and you can tell she put in the work to make them feel authentic.
Jodie Comer
Jodie Comer trained in both hand-to-hand combat and sword fighting for her roles in ‘Killing Eve’ and ‘The Last Duel’. She focused on becoming more agile and precise, allowing her to convincingly portray both contemporary and historical fight scenes. Working closely with stunt coordinators, she made sure her movements fit each character perfectly. This demonstrates her range and skill as an actress.
Daisy Ridley
For her role in the latest ‘Star Wars’ films, Daisy Ridley trained for months in Kendo and with a bo staff. She worked with top sword masters to create a fighting style that looked both natural and strong. Ridley stayed in excellent shape with a demanding fitness routine to handle the physically challenging filming schedule. Her commitment to realistic fight choreography has made her a prominent action star.
Kelly Marie Tran
Kelly Marie Tran trained in martial arts and fight choreography for her role in ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’. She built her stamina and learned basic combat skills so she could perform the physically demanding scenes in the film. She also voiced a character in ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ who was involved in a lot of action, which benefited from her understanding of martial arts movements. This physical preparation helped her portray characters who always seemed strong and courageous.
Naomi Scott
To get ready for her role as a secret agent in ‘Charlie’s Angels’, Naomi Scott trained in boxing and combat, focusing on both powerful strikes and how to defend herself. She also had some martial arts training for her part in ‘Power Rangers’, learning basic fighting skills. It’s clear that staying physically fit is important for her when she takes on action roles.
Becky G
To prepare for her role in ‘Power Rangers,’ Becky G trained in several martial arts and stunt techniques. She worked closely with the stunt team to learn fight choreography, specifically how to move and fight while in the superhero suit. Becky G felt it was crucial to appear convincingly skilled in combat to portray the character’s journey into becoming a hero. This physical training was a key part of her shift from a music career to acting in action movies.
Elizabeth Olsen
Elizabeth Olsen trained with a movement coach, blending Wushu and dance to develop a distinctive fighting style for ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’. She aimed for a look that felt both powerful and magical. She continued to hone her physical performance in later Marvel movies to reflect her character’s development, and this commitment to physical expression became a key part of how the character was portrayed on screen.
Eiza González
Eiza González trained extensively in boxing and combat for films like ‘Alita: Battle Angel’ and ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw’. She collaborated with professional trainers to make her action sequences look realistic and powerful. González frequently talks about how martial arts training has improved both her physical and mental strength, benefiting her career. This dedication to physical fitness has consistently landed her roles in big action movies.
Zoë Kravitz
To get ready to play Catwoman in ‘The Batman’, Zoe Kravitz trained in Capoeira and other martial arts focused on movement. She and a trainer created a fighting style that looked smooth and cat-like, emphasizing flexibility and grace. Kravitz dedicated herself to learning the physical details of the character, which helped make the fight scenes stand out and contributed to her highly praised performance.
Jessica Henwick
Jessica Henwick became highly skilled in katana and Wushu martial arts for her part in ‘Iron Fist’. She dedicated herself to daily training, perfecting complex sword fighting sequences and achieving a professional level of speed. She continued to hone these skills for roles in films like ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ and other action projects, and her colleagues consistently praise her exceptional talent with weapons.
Brianna Hildebrand
To get ready for her role as a strong mutant in ‘Deadpool’, Brianna Hildebrand trained in Muay Thai. She focused on perfecting her fighting moves and posture to convincingly play a character who was tough and intimidating. She also worked closely with the stunt team, coordinating her actions with the movie’s special effects. This preparation allowed her to create a powerful and believable character within the franchise.
Kiana Madeira
For her lead role in the ‘Fear Street’ trilogy, Kiana Madeira underwent rigorous training in stunts and physical combat. She built up her stamina and learned essential fighting techniques to convincingly portray the intense survival scenes. Madeira performed a significant number of her own stunts, which helped create a more realistic and suspenseful horror experience. Her commitment to the physical demands of the role greatly contributed to the films’ energetic and successful production.
Erin Kellyman
Erin Kellyman trained in physical combat for her roles in both ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ and ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’. She practiced weapon handling and fight choreography with stunt teams, focusing on making her movements look natural and skilled – fitting for her characters, who were often portrayed as experienced fighters. This ability to perform demanding physical roles has quickly made her a prominent star in action films and series.
Freya Allan
Freya Allan trained extensively in sword fighting and stunts for her role in ‘The Witcher’. She learned specialized sword techniques from professional instructors and worked hard to improve her agility and strength to perform the show’s acrobatic sequences. This physical training allowed her to convincingly portray her character’s growth into a capable fighter.
Anya Chalotra
As a fan, I was really impressed to learn how much Anya Chalotra trained for the fight scenes in ‘The Witcher’! She didn’t just learn the choreography, she really worked on her movement and coordination to make Yennefer look strong and capable, both when she was using magic and in hand-to-hand combat. She even teamed up with the stunt team to create fights that felt specific to Yennefer’s powers and style. Honestly, all that physical preparation really shows and makes her performance so believable!
Katy O’Brian
I was really impressed with Katy O’Brian in ‘Love Lies Bleeding’! It turns out she’s seriously skilled in martial arts and bodybuilding, and she brought all of that real experience to her role. She’s been training in combat sports for years, which made the physically demanding scenes feel so authentic. She really focused on making her movements look both believable and powerful, and it totally paid off – her performance felt so grounded and strong.
Mckenna Grace
Mckenna Grace has been actively training her body and learning stunts for roles in shows like ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and other action-packed projects. Even though she’s young, she’s dedicated to getting physically prepared for her characters. She’s worked with trainers to build her strength and coordination for challenging scenes, and her ability to handle physically demanding roles is becoming more and more noticeable as her career grows.
Cailee Spaeny
For her role in ‘Pacific Rim Uprising’, Cailee Spaeny trained in combat and stunts, focusing on improving her agility and learning fundamental fighting techniques. This preparation allowed her to confidently perform on the film’s massive sets and handle the physically and mentally demanding scenes. This experience proved to be a valuable starting point for her future action roles.
Isabela Merced
Isabela Merced trained in martial arts and fight choreography for her part in ‘Madame Web’. She collaborated with the stunt team to create a quick and believable fighting style for her character. She’s also put in physical preparation for other action movies, and this commitment to physicality has helped her land more challenging roles.
Lana Condor
To prepare for her role in ‘Deadly Class’, Lana Condor spent months learning to use the katana and practicing martial arts. She worked with professional stunt people to make her sword fighting look realistic, both powerful and graceful. Condor focused on the details of handling the weapon to accurately portray her character’s training as an assassin. Critics especially praised the accuracy and skill she brought to the physical aspects of the role.
Tati Gabrielle
Tati Gabrielle trained in martial arts and sword fighting to prepare for her roles in ‘Uncharted’ and the next ‘Mortal Kombat’ movie. She focused on improving her fighting skills and how to use weapons so she could convincingly play a strong, physically imposing character. Gabrielle refined her movements to make the action sequences look exciting and realistic. Her experience with physical performance makes her well-suited for action films.
Adeline Rudolph
To get ready to play Kitana in ‘Mortal Kombat 2’, Adeline Rudolph trained in several martial arts. She collaborated with top choreographers to learn the character’s signature fan techniques and fighting style. Rudolph concentrated on improving her flexibility and accuracy to perform the film’s demanding stunts. She was dedicated to honoring the physical strength and skill that define the ‘Mortal Kombat’ franchise.
Suki Waterhouse
For her role in ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’, Suki Waterhouse learned martial arts and how to use weapons. She practiced fighting while wearing clothes from the time period, making sure to stay elegant as her character. Working with a stunt team, she created a fighting style that combined classic techniques with exciting action. This physical training helped her bring a fresh, modern feel to the story.
Lily Collins
To get ready for her role in ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’, Lily Collins trained in both boxing and sword fighting. She worked with trainers to get stronger and learn basic fighting skills. Collins concentrated on making her character’s change from a regular person into a skilled warrior seem realistic. This physical training was a key part of her work on the fantasy action movie.
Millie Bobby Brown
To get ready to play Enola Holmes, Millie Bobby Brown trained in boxing and Jiu Jitsu. She wanted Enola’s fighting to look realistic for a young woman living in that time period – a little rough around the edges but believable. Brown practiced both attacking and defending so she could perform all the action scenes convincingly. Her commitment to the physical demands of the role really brought energy and personality to her performance.
Zazie Beetz
As a huge movie fan, I was really impressed with Zazie Beetz in ‘Deadpool 2’! She didn’t just look amazing as Domino, she actually did a ton of her own stunt work. She trained hard in physical combat and worked closely with the stunt team to make all those crazy action scenes feel real – and like she wasn’t even trying! Seriously, her physicality and coordination were a huge part of what made those fights so awesome and memorable. It really elevated the whole film, in my opinion.
Share your favorite movie combat performances in the comments.
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2026-03-10 20:51