The Greatest Showman #773 - Lazy Donkey Roll

It might sound like green screen acting is easy, but it's actually quite challenging. To put it simply, the actor must mentally construct a corresponding image while performing, gesturing in thin air as if dancing without music, which can feel a bit surreal.

This is one of the reasons why performances in big commercial blockbusters often seem stiff or mechanical. On one hand, there's a disconnect between the actor's imagination and the computer-generated images.

Christopher Nolan's films, on the other hand, have always been filmed on location to avoid this issue. Similarly, Paul Greengrass prefers to build entire scenes in the studio to prevent such dissonance.

For Renly, performing in front of a green screen isn't as difficult. As part of his stage training, solo performances are mandatory, and many classic plays are essentially one-man shows. Not just monologues, but an actor is expected to stand alone on an empty stage, experiencing a range of emotions, confronting fantasies, nightmares, and even engaging in imagined conversations with God.

The real difficulty of green screen acting lies in the fact that most scenes involve fighting invisible forces or pretending to be a comic book character who can unleash energy blasts with a mere gesture—something kids do in their imagination but adults often find hard to replicate without feeling silly.

On top of the green screen acting, today's scene also involves wire stunts, explosions, collisions, rolls, and even firefights. At the end of it, Cage and Rita share the only tender moment in the entire movie: a kiss before life and death. It's safe to say that this scene is one of the most complex ones in the film.

When Renly steps onto the set, the ruinous scene before him seems to resemble a war-torn landscape. However, on closer inspection, what appear to be stone ruins are actually made of foam; what looks like glass is a special material; and what seems to be steel is actually a heat-resistant synthetic compound.

A crane is positioned to the left, with a massive robotic arm that towers impressively. A track runs across the ground, with the camera setup at the front and a trailer made of special materials outlining the helicopter model. In the distance, the special effects team is testing smoke release to add authenticity to the ruins.

The entire crew is in a flurry of final preparations: confirming the machinery's movement, camera placement, and desired visual effects. While post-production can handle much of the work, the scene needs to be perfect in real-time, and safety is the number one priority.

Renly walks toward the crane, stopping between it and the helicopter model. He shouts over to a crew member, "Hey, Jordan, how's it going?"

Jordan O'Neil

Jordan, a 25-year-old stunt double known for his action and drag racing work, has been in the industry for two years. Though he's still relatively new, his similar build and agility make him the perfect choice to double for Renly in this film.

His previous work included stunts in "Fast & Furious 5," where he stood in only for minor fight scenes. This time, "Edge of Tomorrow" presents more complex stunts, including a sequence where Cage falls out of a helicopter, grabs a rope, and is flung through the air—ultimately crashing into a glass pyramid.

This sequence is difficult and requires expert skills, which is why Jordan has been chosen as Renly's stand-in. Even Renly, if he wanted to do the stunt himself, would be unable to pull off the necessary precision and skill.

Jordan flashes Renly a grin and makes an "OK" gesture. "We've rehearsed this several times. No issues. You're gonna follow the plan again?"

"Yeah. I'll gear up in a bit to connect, so come check it out." Renly steps aside, watching Jordan prep.

Jordan's role in the stunt is pivotal: he will fly the kite-like contraption outside the helicopter. A mechanical arm from the crane will pull him through the air while four powerful fans simulate the violent wind effects. When the helicopter impacts the glass pyramid, Jordan will complete the stunt. However, Renly will still need to be in the scene for the aftermath: a close-up following Cage's dramatic landing.

Paul Greengrass, the director, has two plans: one involves a medium shot capturing Renly's reaction after landing, while the other uses a handheld camera to follow Cage through the battle's crescendo. Both options require Renly's face to be visible, so even if Jordan performs some of the stunt work, Renly will still need to be in the frame to ensure continuity.

There are numerous ways to shoot a film, and the results depend largely on the actor's ability to deliver the director's vision. If the actor fails to create the necessary effect, the film suffers. That's why casting is so crucial.

In the original "Edge of Tomorrow," Tom Cruise's performance was criticized for being stiff in both the dramatic and action sequences—age and physical condition clearly played a role in limiting his effectiveness.

To achieve the perfect effect, Renly has been working closely with Jordan, rehearsing the scene repeatedly to ensure it flows seamlessly while maintaining safety. The green screen environment requires total immersion, and practicing with Jordan has been invaluable in making this happen.

"I suggest you do the lazy donkey roll. That'll fix everything," Jordan jokes with a smile.

Working with Renly is always a great experience. Unlike most actors who maintain a distance from their stunt doubles, Renly treats them as equals. He's focused and respectful, discussing scenes and even sharing a few laughs. Paul Walker and Rami Malek have also been known to hang out with the stunt team, as have Donald Glover and Jennifer Lawrence—making "Edge of Tomorrow" a fun and enjoyable set.

As for the "lazy donkey roll," it's a martial arts move Jordan learned from Renly, and Renly demonstrated it in a way that left everyone laughing.

Renly doesn't say a word, but squats slightly, spins around, and mimics the motion of the lazy donkey roll. He puffs out his chest, strikes a heroic pose, and says, "How's that? My Hollywood pose, hot enough?"

The entire crew bursts into laughter, including Jordan, who squeals, imitating a cheerleader. The entire team laughs at the absurdity of it all.

Abby Mills, the drama manager, arrives and surveys the group with confusion, asking, "What's going on?" Thinking something might be wrong with her appearance, she looks down, perplexed.

Renly just shakes his head with a smile. "What are you doing here?"

"We're ready for the final rehearsal," Abby says, dropping any investigation. "Everyone else is set, and we need to start shooting soon."

"No problem, let's get started," Renly responds, eager to get the scene rolling.