Florence Pugh Opens Up About That Harrowing Building Jump in 'Thunderbolts'
- Details
- Category: Interviews
- Created: Friday, 02 May 2025 14:25
- Published: Friday, 02 May 2025 18:20
- Written by Lupe R Haas
Florence Pugh has never been one to shy away from a challenge, but in THUNDERBOLTS, she takes things to a whole new level — literally. The film opens with a breathtaking stunt: Yelena Belova, played by Pugh, steps off one of the tallest buildings in the world. And yes, that was actually Florence — to a degree — leaping into the unknown, both physically and emotionally.
A Jump That Means More Than Action
At the press conference for Thunderbolts, Pugh revealed that when she first read the script, the opening scene struck her deeply. "It did feel like she was stepping off a building alongside with the voiceover as if she was taking her own life," she shared. The emotional weight of that moment wasn’t lost on her — or on audiences. “It’s harrowing. It’s not a nice image to have, which is why when she actually steps off, everybody’s stomachs do just flip.”
What makes the scene so powerful isn’t just the spectacle — it’s what it says about Yelena’s state of mind. Reeling from loss and isolation, the character is at a point where danger feels like comfort. “She’s happy to put herself at risk,” Florence explained. “She doesn’t have any reason to be there anymore. She’s lost her sister, she’s lost her family.”
The Tracksuit That Told a Story
Instead of donning a protective super suit, Florence lobbied for a simple tracksuit — a subtle yet impactful costume choice. “If she’s actually asking herself to be put in all of these situations to potentially get killed, she needs to be in something that doesn’t protect her,” Pugh said. The decision removed her usual “buttons and gadgets,” underlining just how vulnerable and exposed Yelena is when the film begins.
A Stunt with Real Stakes
While stunt teams and riggers played a crucial role, Florence’s immersion in the character is what sold the moment. Director Jake Schreier praised her for not only performing parts of the stunt but for anchoring it in raw emotion: “It was like an acting stunt in a way,” he said. “You’re starting the movie in this real moment of character... and then the camera pulls out and she’s gotta pull off the most death-defying thing just as a person.”
A New Kind of Superhero Story
Pugh’s leap — both literal and emotional — sets the tone for THUNDERBOLTS: a superhero film rooted in pain, vulnerability, and the search for belonging. Her performance reminds us that strength isn’t just about surviving danger — it’s about facing the reasons we take those risks in the first place.