“It’s crazy what they put on their faces!” : How was the epic fight scene in Assassin conceived?

It was one of the most anticipated films by mainstream directors on Netflix at the end of the year, and it’s finally available on the platform. David Fincher’s The Killer has barely been released on the streaming service when it’s already the #1 highest-grossing hit!

Thus, this new thriller by David Fincher in six chapters was able to attract Netflix subscribers, who are nevertheless very divided about the twelfth feature film of the American filmmaker. Rated 3.5 out of 5 by AlloCiné viewers, The Killer is a collaboration between David Fincher and screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker, who wrote the script for Seven.

Behind the scenes of the killer’s crazy fight scene

The Assassin tells the story of a revenge-seeking assassin who turns against his employers after a mission gone wrong. But this manhunt around the world will also be an opportunity for this skilled killer to question himself. Indeed, The Killer plunges us into the psyche of a killer who reveals his actions and his inner demons through voice-over.

If this adaptation of the comic The killer Based on the script by Frenchman Alexis Nolent (Matz) and illustrations by Luc Giacomoni, the setting, the coldness of the character and the methodical hunt are quite characteristic, the film still contains a memorable fight scene between the killer (Michael Fassbender). ) and rough (Sala Baker) in Florida.

“It’s the most physical” According to Michael Fassbender, who does most of his stunts himself, he was able to count on the invaluable help of his stunt double Justin Eaton. According to the team, who spoke on the press set of The Killer, this fight scene required full investment from the actors, stuntmen and other department heads.

Translation: The killer fight scene is incredible and one of the best action scenes of the year.

Scenery and staging played a big role in this sequence inside a studio-built house in New Orleans, as set designer Don Burt explains: “The setting was built around the fight itself. There were one or two moments where, for example, we had to decide to put the door on one side instead of the other because it made it easier to get into the room. Next. The room.”.

It all starts with stunt coordinator Dave Macomber, who spent months organizing the fight – “He made a video of the action, arranging boxes to simulate the parts and things that would be destroyed”. The camera and lighting teams – the latter under the supervision of cinematographer Eric Messerschmidt – created the ideal environment and rehearsals with their notes, videos and instructions.

Dave Macomber, who has already worked on the Watchmen series and the Avengers: Endgame film, believes that thanks to David Fincher, he had a lot of tonal freedom on The Killer and that he was able to create realistic, intense choreography that lets you tell. The director’s preferred story:

“I’ve always thought of fight movements as a kind of ‘action dialogue’. So when we’re creating these kinds of sequences, I’m constantly trying to think about the motivations of the people in the scene.”

Setting up the fight was a long-term job that was worth it, despite the many injuries. David Fincher explains: “I feel bad for these guys. I like the idea that the public is invested in this controversy. And that it’s going on for a very, very long time. We’re saying to ourselves, ‘It’s crazy what they’re getting in their face!’.

The Killer movie is available on Netflix.