Chris Hemsworth, the Australian actor known for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, thrills audiences as Tyler Rake once again in the highly anticipated sequel to his Netflix film, Extraction.
In the country to promote the Asia-Pacific premiere of Extraction 2, Chris and director Sam Hargrave met the local press at the Conrad Manila Hotel on June 5, 2023, before the film's red-carpet screening at SM Mall of Asia in the evening.
Read also: Get a chance to see Chris Hemsworth Live in Manila at NETFLIX's Extraction 2 red-carpet screening
HELICOPTER LANDING ON A MOVING TRAIN
On stage, standing up, the actor described animatedly the film's intense action scenes, particularly the oner that took a continuously long take.
Chris said, "The oner is pretty special. I feel like I answered that the same way in the first film, because that was probably what we're most proud of.
"This is even bigger and larger and more exciting, and there were more variables and a larger component of risks as well."
He went on to recount in vivid details his adrenaline-pumping experience shooting the film: "I was on top of the train. The train was moving at what speed? It's at 40, 50 miles an hour.
"Like, it's moving. And there's an actual train. There's an actual train on top. It's snowing. We're in the Czech Republic.
"There's a helicopter about 20 feet in front of me flying backwards."
To add to Chris's compelling story, Sam recounted the nerve-racking part of directing the scene—the landing of a helicopter on a moving train.
"Probably one of the craziest things we did on Extraction 2 was land a helicopter on a moving train.
"That was probably the most difficult shot for me because I was operating the camera.
"I don't know if you have been under a helicopter trying to keep itself off the ground.
"There's a lot of force that allows that bird to fly and walking under, that's like walking into a hurricane."
Then he quipped, making the crowd laughed, "So to walk along beside it, close enough where I can reach out and touch the pilot, we could have high-fived if we wanted to..
"That was a difficult shot to not get blown off the train, and six guys actually get out of the helicopter, onto the train, and the helicopter then takes off again. It was cool."
In the end, the 40-year-old director expressed with pride, "We really pushed the envelope because I think the first oner timed out at... in the first movie, about 11 minutes and 40 seconds or something, and this one's 21 minutes and 7 seconds."
PRISON YARD SCENE
Chris also described another action scene that left a lasting impression on him—the prison yard scene.
"There's a scene in the prison yard, which I think it was in the first teaser trailer, where we had 300 extras and myself and a few other people were lit on fire.
"It was like this real fire," he commented, impressing the attendees with the way he casually said it.
"Just a normal day on set. Another Tuesday. It was terrifying.
"But I think we all knew, you know, the elevated risk was going to give us an elevated performance, an elevated effect, I think, for an audience."
The lead star shared as well the unforeseeon challenges in filming the action sequence, such as adjusting to work with new people, and all of them thinking on their feet as they went along.
Chris said, "The scene in the prison yard, that was actually probably the trickiest in the sense that there were a lot of guys that I had rehearsed with in the lead-up to that.
"Who, by the time we went to shoot, we were just in the middle of COVID, had gotten sick, and so was subbed out with someone else that I hadn't worked with, who was also learning the fight."
"So I don't know if it was improvisational, but it was sink or swim. It was very immediate and learned on the spot. But lots and lots of prep."
MUTUAL ADMIRATION
As the figurehead behind the camera, Sam only had admiration for the Hollywood heartthrob's commitment to the role.
"I think watching Chris put himself on the line day after day, like lighting yourself on fire for all of you, it wasn't just because he was cold out.
"It was for all of you. I think that deserves a round of applause."
In turn, Chris praised Sam's leadership and mastery in directing stunts, remarking, "It's a good thing that we're working with Sam.
"Anytime you're doubting a stunt or any sort of extreme situation, he goes, 'What, like this?' and he'll do it himself.
"Or, he'll show you several films where he's done it bigger or better. It's like a lead by example kind of thing going on," Chris added.
To be sure, Sam's extensive experience as a top-tier stunt coordinator and stuntman before transitioning into directing had served him best in Extraction 2.
He said, "To have all of this in camera, 95% of it, takes a lot more preparation, rehearsal, and I think skill from the stunt side of things.
"I think an audience appreciates it much more because there's an authenticity to it. There's a truth to it. It's not like watching a video game."
He added, chuckling, "You're watching something that is as real as it is.
"Yeah, you're watching Chris Hemsworth’s life on the line on top of a train, being chased by a helicopter and being set on fire."
Read also: Chris Hemsworth reveals memorable line from Thor: Ragnarok came from a child fan