WARNING: Contains SPOILERS for The Fall Guy (2024).

The 2024 film “The Fall Guy” features a plethora of unexpected yet iconic cameos from the original 1980s TV series, delighting fans old and new. Ryan Gosling stars in this highly-anticipated film, his follow-up to the blockbuster success of 2023’s “Barbie.” This cinematic tribute to Hollywood’s stuntmen and stuntwomen is packed with breathtaking stunts and offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the movie-making magic. Blending elements of romantic comedy and action comedy, “The Fall Guy” promises 100% crowd-pleasing fun. Gosling’s portrayal is captivating, sharing the screen with Emily Blunt, and bolstered by a remarkable supporting cast including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, and Winston Duke.

Despite receiving positive critical reviews, “The Fall Guy” didn’t perform as expected at the box office, grossing under $28 million during its opening weekend and achieving a worldwide total of $180 million against a $125 million production budget. Although technically a box office flop, it still ranks among the top 20 highest-grossing films of 2024, outperforming notable releases such as “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “The Beekeeper.” The film also boldly criticizes the Oscars for neglecting stunt performers and advocates for the introduction of an official Stunts category at the Academy Awards. Currently, “The Fall Guy” is available for streaming exclusively on Peacock.

In a testament to its thrilling action sequences, “The Fall Guy” set a new Guinness World Record for most car rolls in a stunt.

Lee Majors & Heather Thomas Have Cameos In The Fall Guy’s Post-Credits Scene

Adding to the film’s allure, Lee Majors and Heather Thomas make memorable cameos in the post-credits scene, portraying police officers. Majors, originally playing Colt Seavers in the 1980s series, and Thomas, who played Jody Banks, return to the universe that fans adored. The original TV series, created by Glen A. Larson—also known for “Knight Rider,” “Magnum P.I.,” and “Battlestar Galactica”—ran for 112 episodes across five seasons from 1981 to 1986.

After the action-packed closing credits sequence showing the behind-the-scenes stuntwork, the post-credits scene reads “Previously on The Fall Guy” in a typewritten font. It reveals that characters Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham) survived a helicopter crash only to be surrounded by police cars. Majors’ character sternly tells Gail she “has the right to remain silent, so shut the hell up,” while Thomas’s character adds humor with, “Will somebody cuff this bitch?”

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The film deftly combines action, romance, and adventure, making it a thrilling ride reminiscent of other cinematic greats.

Lee Majors & Heather Thomas Were The Stars Of The Original The Fall Guy TV Show

Despite their brief appearances in the film, Lee Majors and Heather Thomas were pivotal stars in the original series. Both actors appeared in all 112 episodes alongside Douglas Barr, who played Howie Munson. In the original series, Howie was Colt’s cousin and fellow bounty hunter as well as a stuntman in training. Unlike Blunt’s character Jody Moreno, who is a film director in the movie, Thomas’s Jody Banks was also a stunt performer.

These character differences underscore that while inspired by the original series, the 2024 film isn’t a direct adaptation. The most significant similarity lies in the character Colt Seavers, sharing both name and occupation between Majors’ and Gosling’s portrayals. Majors brought a signature bravado to his role in the 1980s series, whereas Gosling infuses Colt with his characteristic lighthearted charm suited for contemporary audiences. The role of director seen in Blunt’s character was previously filled by various actors like William Bryant and Ben Cooper in the original show.

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Emily Blunt’s return for a sequel to a $326 million movie comes at an ideal time following her role in “The Fall Guy.”

How The Fall Guy Movie Got Lee Majors & Heather Thomas To Do Cameos

Director David Leitch shared that Lee Majors personally reached out to express his excitement about the film’s remake. “Lee was really excited that it was finally getting redone,” Leitch said. Their conversation led to Majors’ cameo, and they decided to involve Heather Thomas as well. Leitch humorously noted that he owes Majors some money for correctly predicting where his scene would fit into the film. “I actually owe him $1,000. It’s coming, Lee. It’s coming.”

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“The Fall Guy,” directed by David Leitch of “Bullet Train” and “Deadpool 2” fame, stars Ryan Gosling as a stuntman embroiled in a quest to find a missing movie star, unravel a conspiracy, and mend his relationship with his true love. Written by Drew Pearce and inspired by Glen A. Larson’s original TV series, this action thriller promises an exhilarating cinematic experience.

Director: David Leitch
Release Date: May 3, 2024
Studios: Universal Pictures, Entertainment 360, 87North Productions
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Writers: Glen A. Larson, Drew Pearce
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Stephanie Hsu, Winston Duke, Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer
Runtime: 126 Minutes
Genre: Action