Many action stars and A-Listers in Hollywood love to drive their cars in movies, often in action and chase sequences that have the audience grabbing their seats in anticipation.
In filmmaking, a lot goes into creating a movie that graces the screen, from technicians and editors to stunt work and cinematography. While many celebrities are known to keep themselves from harm’s way and perform little work, others go above and beyond to show their commitment to the role and bring their most authentic self forward for audiences to see. At the same time, to stay true to their role, some change their weight, appearance, and even personality for the duration of the filming.
In action films, the most challenging part for any celebrity is the action sequences often performed by stunt doubles. Many actors are known to risk it all while filming for the movies, giving their 100% to the characters and refusing to let somebody else do their dirty work. Most films today have intense car scenes that grip audiences' attention, and stars love to be a part of these sequences. Let’s look at the celebrities who love to drive their cars in movies.
10 Tom Cruise
A man of many talents, Tom Cruise, is famously known for doing all his work in movies, from stunts to action sequences. Some of his most daring and jaw-dropping scenes have occurred in the Mission Impossible series, wherein he is seen driving cars and motorcycles through his chase scenes. The actor has also famously flown aircraft for both Top Gun movies.
9 Vin Diesel
There is no other film series that focuses more on cars and chase scenes than the Vin Diesel-created Fast Saga. A car enthusiast from a young age, Diesel and his long-time friend, late actor Paul Walker are famously known to perform their car scenes, including street racing competitions and complicated sequences while running away from the police in Fast Five.
8 Charlize Theron
Known for starring in films of all genres, from independent thrillers to fantasy fiction, Charlize Theron has also established herself as an action star with the movies Atomic Blonde and The Old Guard. Her most gritty and action-packed movie was Mad Max: Fury Road, which found it a challenging yet fun experience to drive through the desert as most of the film sequences are shot in cars.
7 Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves not only rides horses during chase sequences but also prefers to drive his cars for movie shots. An automobile enthusiast, the actor has admitted that he does 90% of his stunts in the movies, including the Dodge Charger chase scene in John Wick and a follow-up chase in its sequel.
6 Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig showed his talent for action after he became James Bond in 2006 and donned the role of 007 for five movies. The actor who enjoys performing his stunts got injured several times but gave many memorable scenes, including the car chase he did on the streets of Rome in Spectre in 2015.
5 Ryan Gosling
Starring in a movie based on a stunt performer who drives, Drive was based on Gosling’s character’s perspective, who was a wheelman during the night. The actor took stunt-driving lessons for his role and performed most of his car sequences during the movie's filming, which was a critical and commercial success.
4 Cameron Diaz
While Cameron Diaz is most notably known for her romantic comedies, it is worth noting that the actress has also starred in several action-packed movies, including the Charlie’s Angels movies and Knight and Day opposite Tom Cruise. Diaz preferred to perform her stunts for Charlie’s Angels, especially the car chase where she drives after the Thin Man.
3 Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie has showcased her diverse acting skills in various genres, and when it comes to action, she does not hesitate to perform her stunts. Along with her work in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Jolie sat behind the wheel during her car chase scene in 2008’s Wanted opposite James McAvoy as the couple is being chased.
2 Matt Damon
Matt Damon is best known for his action-packed Bourne movies. However, his best car scenes occurred in Ford v Ferrari wherein he starred as Caroll Shelby. In one of the most exciting sequences in the film, Damon’s Shelby drives a terrified Henry Ford II on the racing circuit to convince the latter to let Ken Miles drive.
1 Jason Statham
The ultimate action star, Jason Statham, has made action movies his niche over the years, starring in The Transporter series and becoming a part of the Fast and Furious movies. For the first 2002 Transporter film, Statham not only drove during the car chase scenes but also did his fight sequences and scuba-diving scenes.
Another notable actor known to drive his car include Christian Bale, who has performed most of his stunts in The Dark Knight trilogy, and Ford v Ferrari as Ken Miles. These A-Listers enjoy every aspect of their work, from the dramatic scenes to driving cars for action sequences, giving their stunt doubles a run for their money.
Sources: Screen Rant, Cheat Sheet, Independent, US Magazine
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGianqSVl8Buw8eoZKWnppp6tbuMnamirpViwamxyKtkqK%2BeYrCivtJmoKdlnaTDqrHSaA%3D%3D