Matthew Vaughn’s new action-comedy Stuntnuts is set to make noise at the American Film Market, bringing a rare spotlight to the stunt crews who risk their bodies for blockbuster cinema. The film, also notable as the first feature from Vaughn’s partnership with soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, will screen for buyers at AFM and is being handled by Patrick Wachsberger’s sales outfit, 193.
The project follows two professional stunt performers who join a runaway Hollywood production to save their neighborhood gym, only to find themselves caught in escalating set chaos driven by dangerous sequences and the outsized personalities of its headline actors.
Why this matters now
Stuntnuts arrives at a moment when industry attention is turning toward on-set safety, recognition for behind-the-scenes talent, and the crossover influence of celebrities moving into production roles. That combination—big-name involvement, a stunt-focused story, and real-world production setbacks—gives the film both commercial potential and topical relevance.
Who’s behind the camera
Matthew Vaughn is producing, and the film will be sold at AFM by Legendary’s sales label 193. Directing duties are handled by Damien Walters, a veteran stunt performer whose résumé includes work on high-profile franchises and who received industry recognition for his contributions to major films.
Walters’ background as a stunt artist turned director is central to the film’s authenticity: Stuntnuts is built around the craft and risk of physical filmmaking in a way few mainstream comedies attempt.
Cast and stunt team
- Bobby Holland Hanton — long-time double for Chris Hemsworth
- Greg Townley — stunt double known for work with Tom Holland
- Paul Lowe — veteran of large-scale fantasy and television franchises
- Haruka Oshima — performed on recent tentpoles including the Matrix series
- High-profile cameos reportedly include Chris Hemsworth, Sam Rockwell and Matt Damon in heightened versions of themselves
These performers are credited both on-screen and behind the scenes, blurring the line between star cameos and the real-life professionals who execute the film’s most dangerous moments.
An on-set injury that shaped the film
During production, stuntman Greg Townley suffered a serious fall from a water tower, breaking his back in multiple places. The incident paused filming for several months and was later written into the movie’s narrative, underscoring the physical toll stunt work can take and lending the story an unvarnished edge.
The inclusion of Townley’s injury in the script gives the film a degree of documentary realism while also raising questions about how productions handle risk and recovery.
Business angle: AFM sales and Ronaldo’s producing debut
Stuntnuts will have a market screening at AFM as part of an international sales push. The film marks the first production credit from UR MARV, the film and TV venture co-founded by Vaughn and Cristiano Ronaldo, highlighting a growing trend of high-profile athletes investing in entertainment content.
That involvement could broaden the film’s media profile and commercial reach—particularly in global markets where Ronaldo’s brand remains powerful.
What to watch for
- Reception at AFM: buyer interest and early distribution deals
- Critical response to its balance of comedy and real-world stunt drama
- Industry discussion around on-set safety and stunt performers’ visibility
Producers and representatives for 193 declined to comment for this article.
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Hello, I’m Declan. I share my film reviews and discoveries with you to enrich your moviegoing experience.