Making Of WAR MACHINE 2026 Best Of Behind The Scenes Stunts Set Visit With Alan Ritchson

I'm gonna level with you real quick. I am the most tired I've ever been. This is a tough one. We're replicating ranger assessment selection program where they take 180 applicants. Instead of having a name they're just purely given a number. There's no individualism. That's very important. It's part of the process. There's something about the spirit of 81 that has captured me so much. A character who just like inspires us to be the best version of ourselves. This whole film's practical. To do it right. Want to be in the environment. The majestic beauty that it brings. Elevates the whole cinematic experience for viewers. And it's really really dangerous. Like it for real. It's um that's grade five rapid. I'm ready to take a dip. I love this job man. Rangers lead the way. We do not trust you. Now slowly apply acceleration. Oh man this thing's got some go. A really big important scene. We have this epic montage where I just put Alan through the absolute paces in the film right? That's right. Yeah. I put you through the absolute paces and it builds towards a climactic moment. Which is this scene here in the pool. And this is 81 as he walks along the bottom of the pool holding weights. Now I found this exercise in research. I thought oh that's really interesting. Beautiful storytelling device. Because the fun fact about this exercise is that no one is the winner right? It's essentially is to see how far you can go. What is your breaking point? And then that's the ultimate test that these candidates are faced with. So it's to push yourself as far as you can go before you come up for air. The only problem is is that this scene became a visual representation of 81's inner turmoil. Because he's driven by shame. So while these other candidates are coming up 81 keeps going. Now the fun fact about that set up is that when we set this shot up I had Alan in the pool. And I told him I said listen I'm gonna shoot. I've set up a camera operator. We're underwater and he's at the halfway mark. I don't expect you'll get there right? I'll show you the exact shot here. Because you can see it on his face. This shot here. That one right there. That's the moment there. So Alan I told you right? I said Alan jump in. See how far you can walk. He goes I'll cut it up for you. You know don't worry if you have to give up and we do this in a couple takes. Feel free to give up. Yeah and I was just looking for the shot right? And then Alan jumped in and then he walked so far in that pool. Literally like it was almost a two minute take. That he ended up walking the entire length of the pool. And walked straight into my camera operator here. This shot here. So if we pull up the rushes on that. He's walked so far up the pool. My camera operator was backing up with an underwater housing. And then you can't see because he's not wearing goggles. And he ended up walking straight into that camera operator. Who backed up all the way back into a far wall. And ran out of room. I was channeling 81 that day for sure. I know I was like. Cannot repeat that. Okay on go. And three, two, one, go. Good job. Three, two, one, go. Go. Everyone okay? And three, two, one. Three, two, one, go.