The movie is the first release from UR MARV, the pair’s film and television venture, and marks the 41-year-old Portuguese footballer’s entry into film production, according to Deadline.
It will be screened for prospective international distribution and licensing partners at the American Film Market, running from Nov. 10-15.
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Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, applauds while warming up for Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Wales on Sep. 24 in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo by AP |
Directed by Damien Walters, the film revolves around two stunt performers who agree to work on a Hollywood blockbuster to save a gym that is on the brink of closure. However, production descends into chaos as the stunts grow increasingly dangerous and the two lead actors constantly clash.
Chris Hemsworth and Sam Rockwell appear as fictionalized versions of themselves.
The cast also includes veteran stunt artists from various major films, such as Bobby Holland Hanton, Hemsworth’s longtime stunt double, Greg Townley, who doubled for Tom Holland in the “Spider-Man” series, Paul Lowe, who worked in “Harry Potter” and “Game of Thrones,” and Haruka Oshima, who worked in “No Time to Die” and “The Matrix.”
According to the producers, the film serves as a tribute to the stunt performers behind famous action sequences in cinema.
Walters himself has extensive stunt experience, having worked in films such as “Jurassic World: Dominion,” “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the “Kingsman” franchise, and “47 Ronin.”
Production on “Stuntnuts” was once halted following an accident involving Townley. During a shoot, he landed awkwardly after falling from the top of a water tower, and broke his back in three places.
The incident delayed production by several months, and was subsequently written into the film’s storyline to highlight the real-life dangers stunt performers face.
A video introduces Ronaldo’s film studio, UR MARV. Video from Instagram/cristiano
Ronaldo currently plays for Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia. Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, he has won the Ballon d’Or five times in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017, and holds the record for the most goals scored.
He is also the most influential athlete on social media, with over 678 million followers on Instagram.
In August 2024, he launched his YouTube channel, which became the fastest channel to reach one million subscribers.
On Nov. 5, Ronaldo announced his retirement from the Portuguese national team, bringing his 23-year international career to a close.
Off the pitch, Ronaldo has been building a business empire that includes ventures in entertainment. He previously appeared in two documentaries chronicling his career, released in 2014 and 2020.
At the time, industry insiders predicted that he would follow in the footsteps of Eric Cantona and Vinnie Jones, two other footballers who found a second career in film.
In a 2016 interview, he said cinema was an area of interest though not his primary focus at that stage of his career.
In 2020, the Spanish edition of Goal reported that Ronaldo had decided to improve his English and take acting lessons with plans to star in Hollywood action movies after hanging up his boots.
In addition to “Stuntnuts,” Ronaldo is also producing and starring in “Day 1s,” a series based on an idea by football agent Darren Dein. It centers on Stanley Dalton, a U.K.-based football agent, and filming has begun in London.
Actor Damian Lewis plays the lead role, while former football star Thierry Henry and rapper Dave are expected to make guest appearances.