When it comes to actions films, I don't believe the genre gets nearly enough of the credit it deserves. Epic stunts and fight sequences like we see in DIE HARD and MAD MAX: FURY ROAD don't just happen by accident. It takes months of preparation, rehearsal, and commitment. Director Chad Stahelski certainly knows action. Stahelski began as Brandon Lee's stunt double on THE CROW, founded his own stunt company, and eventually transitioned into the world of directing, with the JOHN WICK franchise. With that kind of experience, it probably comes as no suprise that when BIRDS OF PREY director Cathy Yan needed help with the action aspect of the film, she reached out to the best.
In an interview with ReelBlend, Yan realized early on that the style of action she was going for was very similar to that of the JOHN WICK films. Consequently, Cathy Yan didn't hesitate in reaching out to Stahelski and his stunt team 87eleven:
"We had been working with [Stahelski’s] 87eleven from the get go. That was the style that I wanted for the movie. It just felt right. It was that mix of practical but also heightened, like where it felt really real, but they're also kind of having fun with it. And I like the way it's shot. I liked that it wasn't too ‘cutty,’ like all of his work beforehand."
Yan went on to say that the action sequences were a collaborative effort with 87eleven throughout the entire process, which included reshoots:
"During production, I was working mostly with [stunt coordinator] Jonathan Eusebio on that. He's just a delight. He choreographed some really amazing fight sequences. And then when it came to reshoots, it was like, ‘Let's add more action. Let's lean into this. It's working. Let's make it even more cool and badass.’ And at that time, I think, Chad was just available. So it was like, ‘Cool! We got the best of the best.’"
If you look across the spectrum of comicbook films you'll find a myriad of similar plot points and tropes. While most comicbook films possess a requisite amount of action, it sounds like Yan's work is almost exclusively action. Personally, I think that's a novel approach. It almost feels like this is a female EXPENDABLES team when it comes to Huntress, Harley, Montoya, and Black Canary. I'm a huge fan of JOHN WICK's action aesthetic so I'm hoping this translates to the BIRDS OF PREY universe. The fact that BIRDS OF PREY is rated-R also lifts any violence limitations the film might have had with a lower rating.
BIRDS OF PREY starring Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, and Ewan McGregor opens this Friday February 7.