When the first reactions started to hit social media regarding DC’s upcoming film Birds of Prey, a lot of critics were praising the action in the film. Well, it turns out that action was inspired by the likes of the great Jackie Chan and the John Wick films. Of course, it didn’t hurt that director Cathy Yan teamed up 87Eleven, which is the action design and stunt company founded by John Wick director Chad Stahelski.
Yan explained in an interview with /Film, “It was never like, here’s the movie and then here are the action sequences. We’ve been working with at 87Eleven from the beginning. And the reason that I chose them was because I wanted that style.” She then revealed that she and the Birds of Prey stunt coordinator, 87Eleven’s Jonathan Eusebio, bonded over their love of Jackie Chan movies and discussed how they could incorporate that style into Birds of Prey:
“Jonathan Eusebio, who’s our stunt coordinator, we really got along and we talked a lot about Jackie Chan movies and how practical it was and how you weren’t cutting really quickly. You’re kind of staying on it and staying on the action. And I felt like those guys at 87Eleven, which Chad [Stahelski] obviously founded, those guys were doing the best that that you know, at this practical, interesting camera work and action. And so it was all in by design, you know, is all part of like the greater vision of what the movie would be, how we would shoot it. And so it was just part of the conversation.”
I’ve also loved Jackie Chan’s unique fight and action choreography. They are some of the most fun action sequences, and then you incorporate the style of the John Wick films, the result could be incredible! So, if nothing else, at least we know that the action sequences in Birds of Prey are going to kick some ass.
One of the film’s stars, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, went on to talk about the process of shooting the film’s central funhouse action sequence saying:
“Cathy likes to shoot things in one-ders, which meant not very many edits, which meant not very many opportunities for stunt doubles to come in. Which meant we were fighting all day every take. Every take was us take after take undertake which was. I mean, it was incredibly rewarding to do but it was the hardest. I’ve never had that much pressure put on me as an actor physically so it was a real challenge to rise to but it was amazing to have these guys to be there to like inspired me to keep kicking it up a notch and keep going for it.”
That’s good to hear. I’m happy that they went the hard and difficult route instead of the easy quick-cut action sequences or CGI. At least we know what we are seeing is legit. Producer Bryan Unkeless also added that Stahelski came on board during reshoots to make the action sequences “pop” more:
“We were really thankful that when DC saw the cut of the movie, they kind of wanted to continue to support it, and double down and to continue to pop those action sequences which really paid off. And, you know, it is fun to have somebody like Chad who is such experienced. That helped me, when he saw the movie that he was really excited and that he wanted to be there, his team was there and you want to get part of it and kind of contribute in his way.”
Birds of Prey hits theaters on February 7, 2020. Are you looking forward to seeing how these action sequences play out?