The Fall Guy, a new film starring Ryan Gosling, has stirred controversy due to a joke made by a character referencing Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Some viewers felt that the line made light of domestic violence issues, especially considering the history between Depp and Heard. The screenwriter of the film, Drew Pearce, defended the joke by explaining that it was meant to show how awful of a person the character making the joke was in the film. Pearce emphasized that the character was meant to be seen as a villain, and her behavior reflected that.
The story of The Fall Guy follows Colt Seavers, a veteran stuntman who returns to work after a disastrous stunt leaves him injured. Asked to return by producer Gail Meyer, Colt learns that his ex-girlfriend Jody Moreno, now a director, is working on a big-budget sci-fi movie. As Colt becomes involved in a conspiracy to find missing star Tom Ryder, he finds himself in various unexpected situations, including a scene where he destroys Jody’s trailer. It is in this context that the controversial joke about Depp and Heard is made.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Drew Pearce further explained the motivation behind the controversial line in The Fall Guy. He clarified that the dialogue reflected the character’s personality and viewpoint, rather than the filmmakers’ opinions or the film as a whole. Pearce stressed the importance of creating authentic and flawed characters, even if they say offensive things in the story. He acknowledged that the audience is entitled to their reactions to the film and its content.
Despite the controversy surrounding the joke, The Fall Guy had a weaker than expected opening at the box office. The film grossed only $64.4 million worldwide in its first three days of release. The box office performance raised concerns about the film’s future success and reception among audiences. However, the controversy surrounding the film may also have generated additional publicity and interest in the project.
Overall, The Fall Guy has sparked debate over its handling of sensitive issues such as domestic violence and the portrayal of flawed characters. The film’s screenwriter defended the controversial joke as a reflection of the character’s villainous nature, rather than an endorsement of inappropriate behavior. As audiences continue to discuss and critique the film, it remains to be seen how The Fall Guy will be ultimately remembered and received in the broader context of Hollywood cinema.
