‘I was being a sassy Karen': Florence Pugh's skyscraper stunt positions her as the new Tom Cruise
Had this been six or seven years ago, then fans would be clamouring to see Thunderbolts* simply because it was the latest instalment of the grand MCU soap opera. After all, it's a film that stars several side characters from older Marvel films and TV shows, and there was a time when audiences would go bananas for this sort of thing. But as the last few MCU films have shown, that approach doesn't really work any more.
For a while Marvel attempted to trade on the intrigue of the asterisk, but that fell down because the people who cared guessed what it meant and the people who didn't couldn't care less. Then came the weird trailer last month where the movie tried to rebrand itself as an A24 film, declaring itself to be 'absolute cinema' because it hired the production designer from Hereditary and the editor of Minari (and, in Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the star of You Hurt My Feelings). And while there was a lot of novelty about this – when was the last time a Marvel film made a big deal about the pedigree of the people who made it? – it didn't do a lot to shift the needle.
But now, finally, it looks as if Marvel has cracked it. The final flurry of pre-release marketing about Thunderbolts* doesn't make a big deal about the superheroes or the mythology or the cinematography or anything like that. No, this time it's being much smarter. This time it's unveiling Florence Pugh as the new Tom Cruise.
Thunderbolts* contains a big setpiece stunt in which Florence Pugh jumps off the 2,722ft Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, the second tallest skyscraper on Earth. Now it has been revealed that not only did Pugh perform the stunt herself, but she also pleaded with the Marvel brass to do it.
'As we got closer and closer to shooting, they said they don't think it's going to happen because it's a crazy insurance ordeal,' Pugh told Variety. 'I was like what the fuck? Of course we are! We have to do that.' Referring to herself as a 'sassy Karen' for refusing to let the issue drop, she then described the moment they relented. 'They're like, 'OK, if you want to fall off the second tallest building, we'll figure it out for you.''
These claims are backed up by a film that was posted to YouTube five days ago, in which we see Pugh jump off the aforementioned building. In truth, as far as the footage shows, it's less of a jump and more of a dangle – she appears to step off the roof and descend a small distance before she's winched back up – but nevertheless it looks absolutely terrifying.
It's a very Mission: Impossiblish formula. You'll remember that the entire selling point of 2023's Dead Reckoning: Part One was the sight of Tom Cruise riding a motorbike off the side of a mountain. Indeed, by the time the film came out we'd already seen the stunt in its various forms hundreds of times.
Of course, it turns out sharing your biggest stunt ahead of time is not always completely wise. Box office grosses for Dead Reckoning were lower than expected because we'd been given the exciting bit for free several years before it was released. This year's instalment, The Final Reckoning, is doing a better job of hinting at the big stunt – Tom Cruise flapping about on the underside of a corkscrewing biplane – without revealing the whole thing.
Time will tell whether Thunderbolts* should have been less generous with the stunt footage. But for now that doesn't really matter. What matters is that Florence Pugh wants to do her own stunts, and she's fearless about it. If there's a Thunderbolts* 2, maybe she'll do a helmets-off motorbike chase, or a one-take skydive. Maybe she'll beat Cruise and literally shoot into space. Maybe she'll even start sending cakes to people for Christmas. Either way, this might be the start of an amazing action career.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
37 minutes ago
- Metro
Guys are excited to hook up with me — until they see my bunkbed
Welcome to How I Do It, the series in which we give you a seven-day sneak peek into the sex life of a stranger. This week we hear from 26-year-old Caroline*, a straight writer who lives in Camden, and has been single for more than three years. She's now actively looking for a relationship after a few brief flings, and she's turned to dating apps. 'I can't deny that every time I go on a date, I look in the mirror and think to myself, this could be the one where I tell the grandkids: 'It was his Hinge prompt that did it for me',' Caroline says. She goes on multiple dates a week and says, while it's easy to feel down if they don't work out, when they do go well, they usually end up back at hers. It's here Caroline surprises her dates with her sleeping arrangements – a bunk bed. 'It's a fascinating test of character for my dates,' she says. 'They can often seem disappointed or a bit flummoxed by having make an effort to climb into bed. Green-flag guys get excited when they see it and I've had some wacky sex up there, but there are a few who are peeved off by it.' The bunk bed is part of her grandparent's old flat where she lives and it's been a fixture of the home since the 1980s. It's an effective way of weeding out potential suitors too and Caroline certainly won't be getting rid of it. Without further ado, here's how Caroline got on this week… The following sex diary is, as you might imagine, not safe for work . X Factor icon Diana Vickers and Metro's dating expert Alice Giddings dive into your wildest sex, love, and dating dilemmas – every Tuesday. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube. And be sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can also join the fun on our WhatsApp Group Chat here – share your dilemmas and Diana and Alice may just give you a call. The only thing getting me through today is the hinge date I have tonight. The funny thing about having a bunk bed is the look on a guy's face when they come across it for the first time. I like it because it has an air of adventure, going at it high above the ground, and I don't have to worry about waking up my neighbours in the flat below me. The worst part is having to watch my date climb up to the top bunk, cautiously going up step-by-step with little of the bravado they had minutes before. I meet Ben* at a bar and we end up on a pub crawl along the road back to mine. The conversation is stilted at the start, but he's charming and very intellectual. The more alcohol we have, the more we're attracted to each other, and soon we're back at mine and all over each other. We get to my room and Ben eyes the bunk bed with trepidation but to his credit he clambers up. I get on top of him in the wrap around position – like cowgirl but sitting up. I love it because it's so intimate and feels the best for me. We climax together before falling asleep. Ben leaves rather swiftly this morning and I can't help but worry that the bunk bed put him off. The after-intercourse conversation was also sub par. I think he originally found the idea of sleeping with someone on a bunk bed at 22 playfully naughty, but in reality he seemed rather unsettled. He let out a loud 'harrumph' when I explained to him he had to charge his phone on the bottom bunk, and then seemed even more agitated when his boxers fell on the floor and he had to go down the steps in the cold to retrieve them. Thankfully, I have a second date tonight with someone who left me hanging after a wild kiss at a tube stop. I meet Dan* in Soho in an underground bar and order some food. Dan is very confident which I find extremely attractive. We just about make it home without succumbing to our desires in the street and make our way up to my room. There's no worry etched across Dan's face when he sees the bunk bed for the first time. He actually takes it as more of a challenge. When you have an actual hunk in the bunk with you, life can feel pretty good. The sex is adventurous and we temporarily drop down from the bunk bed and end up doing it in front of the sink. We do doggy but standing up as he stands behind me. I don't feel particularly aroused when I see my reflection in the mirror, though. I'm slightly turned off when I come across the used condom on my upper bedside table this morning. I think it always says so much about a guy when they actually make an effort after sex. Still, I'm working today, and frequently check my phone to see if Dan's messaged. He pops up on my phone an appropriate amount of time later, saying he enjoyed the night and the bunk bed made for great entertainment. I smile and in the evening I get an early night, ready for my friend's party tomorrow. I'm on the tube to my friend's birthday and messaging someone who I went on a first date with a few months back. We've never slept together, and the wanting is what fuels our communication. We've just never gotten around to a second date. At my friend's party I forget all about him, after meeting a handsome banker, Liam*, who takes me on a pub crawl after the party ends. He's dangerously tall with a big ego and oozes confidence, and as the night ends he invites me back to his place in Chelsea. It's an upgrade from my bunk bed, where I do tend to hit my head on the ceiling if I'm on top, but the sex isn't quite what I was expecting. Our bodies are slightly off because of his height and we can't get the right rhythm. But it goes from awkward and clunky to satisfying when I get on top of him and do my thing before we both climax together. I'm ready to accept last night as a fleeting drunken escapade, but when Liam insists on walking to work together the next day (thankfully I wasn't wearing anything too outlandish to be deemed a hangover risk in the office), I start mulling over the possibility it could be something more. People talk about the levels of intimacy that are unlocked after dating their partners for a few months, but I feel like these depths of passion were ignited in just one night fuelled by too much cheap Aperol. I've never felt so turned on by someone as he worked to pleasure me and make me feel just as satisfied as he did. I've sworn off fake climaxing in the name of feminism, but acting wasn't necessary last night. I'd felt so astonishingly at one with him, floating out of my body and seeing us intertwined. I'm now already imagining his response when he (hopefully) comes to mine and sees the bunk bed. I'm meant to have a date tonight but hastily cancel on them after Liam asks to meet at a pub near my flat this evening. I'm weirdly nervous before, a feeling which I haven't grappled with for ages. I question what we'll talk about, but after seeing him and remembering just how strikingly handsome he is, my worries soon disperse. We order drink after drink and he tells me he loves techno and 18th century art, but on the way back to mine I have a strange feeling he said he hates heights. At first glance, he immediately exclaims: 'Why the HELL do you have a bunk bed, if you think I am going up there you can think again.' He tells me his parents deprived him of a bunk bed until one summer, on a trip to a holiday camp, he fell off of one onto the floor. Reluctantly, I agree to squeeze into the single bottom bunk with him instead. We get in on, doing missionary and spooning, as well as my wrap-around favourite and I'm incredibly satisfied by the time we fall asleep. Liam stays at mine for a while this morning while we cuddle on the bottom bunk before he heads home. He texts me a study related to bunk bed injuries in America, and suggests drinks after work next week. More Trending I don't usually sleep with three guys in one week, my average is more like once every two weeks, but lately my libido has been pretty high – for what reason I don't know. I was really enjoying dating this week and I'm so glad I just went with it. Liam and I seem to really click and I actually think I can see a future with him – maybe he's really The One. He's smart, funny, driven and, of course, majorly handsome too. He's the first guy in a long time I've felt this way about – maybe this one could be a keeper? This article was originally published in April 2025. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ View More » MORE: These are the most common reasons couples divorce after years together MORE: My husband paid our entire £45,250 house deposit — it makes me so uncomfortable MORE: Four warning signs your engagement is actually just a 'shut up ring'
Daily Mirror
38 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Molly-Mae reveals her skincare secret that's currently slashed to half price
The former Love Island star swore off filler months ago and now she's revealed the secret to her plump skin - and it's currently on offer for half price and calls it a 'game changer' Molly-Mae champions this 'revolutionary' serum following her filler removal - and it's her key to supple skin. The influencer has consistently highlighted her go-to skincare essentials, with the L'Oreal Revitalift serum being her constant favourite, now available at half price. Following her villa departure, the former Love Islander openly discussed her decision to abandon fillers for a more authentic appearance - a choice she described as the "best decision of her life" and has remained virtually filler-free for almost five years. To maintain her skin's plumpness, the mum-of-one has praised the Revitalift serum, presently priced at £16, reduced from £31.99. The 26 year old became devoted to the Revitalift collection, with the serum containing 1.5% hyaluronic acid to moisturise the skin and restore luminosity and fullness. It features L'Oreal's most concentrated dose of the beauty world's most coveted component, designed to thoroughly nourish and hydrate your complexion. Hyaluronic Acid occurs naturally within our bodies; nevertheless, environmental factors degrade it continuously. When Hyaluronic Acid deteriorates in our complexion, which may occur through contact with pollutants and UV radiation, skin can become parched and exposed, potentially leading to fine lines and wrinkles developing. This potent ingredient holds the key to achieving smooth, flawless-looking skin. Molly-Mae showed how she uses the products whilst discussing their transformative impact on her complexion and revealed in a YouTube vlog: "Discovering this Hyaluronic Acid Serum has been absolutely game changing for me. "This serum replumps my skin in one hour and just gives me the most rejuvenated, refreshed look to my skin. It's completely safe to use it, suitable for all skin types, and it just gives my face that perfectly replumped, fresh face look." And it's not only Molly who's impressed, with one LookFantastic customer gushing: "Smells really nice and fresh, love the dropper and a little goes a long way! As an ex beauty therapist I'd deffo recommend this, leaves your skin feeling bright and smooth!" Whilst another added: "I do like this product, it definitely does improve my skin after a couple of weeks of use, but I feels plasticky when I put it on. Like kind of slimy and leaves a shiny residue on my face." Another similar alternative is the Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Serum, currently priced at £9.33, down from its usual price of £13.99. This potent formula aims to diminish the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone, whilst bestowing a luminous glow on the skin. Niacinamide hydrates and enhances skin elasticity, while salicylic acid gently exfoliates dead skin cells. The formula also contains lemon extract, renowned for its brightening properties, leaving skin visibly smooth and radiant. A pricier but comparable option is the La Roche-Posay Hyalu Serum, currently discounted to £36 from its original price of £45. This powerful anti-wrinkle concentrate serum is enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and works to hydrate the complexion and give skin a bouncy texture. The ingredients work to minimise and soften the appearance of fine lines, plumping the skin with moisture to promote suppleness, while encouraging an even-looking texture. Two different sizes of hyaluronic acid provide immediate and long-lasting hydration.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
The No Comment YouTube series by Anna Money blends business with banter
With so many of us now owning our own businesses, or running a side hustle alongside our 9-5, amplifying the voices of entrepreneurs is more important than ever before. However, interest in classic long-form founder videos is declining among Gen Z and millennial audiences, with a 2023 study by Growthcurve revealing that the average YouTube watch time per video is just 2.5 minutes. The solution? This bold and anti-corporate 'No Comment' YouTube series, launched by Growthcurve, and the fintech disruptor, ANNA Money — an app designed specifically for small businesses, freelancers, and side hustlers. Swapping inspirational quotes and choreographed success stories for honest chats and laughs over pints, 'No Comment' throws out the rulebook on traditional business interviews. Blending business with banter, expect guests to be caught off-guard by TikTok star host, Elliott Cass, with awkward truths, and even a hilarious lie detector test. 'So much of the video interview content online focuses on founders of multimillion pound venture funded companies — but there are millions of small business owners up and down our country who have amazing stories to tell,' says Ghazal Jangani, Head of Production at Growthcurve. Guests so far include a beautician in episode one, and a pub landlord in episode two — and new episodes air weekly on ANNA Money's YouTube channel, combining founder-focused essence, unscripted humour and the kind of pressure-cooker format we love in other famous podcasts and series. It's tailored perfectly to modern viewing habits. Jangani adds: 'In each episode of No Comment, we'll get to know the people behind the businesses we all use everyday — learning how they started up, and having a huge old laugh along the way.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below View More » Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
