Karen Gillan handled all the talking and reacting as Ruby Roundhouse in the Jumanji movies. But when it came to her character's signature dance-fighting moves, all those flips and throws, that was the work of stunt performers. The fun idea of a combat dancer was brought to life by the stunt team's real athleticism. | © Sony Pictures Releasing
Jessica Alba portrayed the dancer Nancy Callahan in Sin City, but she couldn't perform the complex lasso tricks herself. A skilled double was used for those specific rope-work shots, with the film's stark black-and-white style helping to hide the switch. Interviews focused on the character's story, not the technical help needed for the dance. | © Miramax Films
Charlize Theron brought the evil queen's icy intensity to Snow White and the Huntsman through her performance. But for the character's physically dominant moments and high-impact falls, the production relied on stunt doubles. This kept Theron safe while still delivering the fantasy violence the film required. | © Universal Studios
Milla Jovovich performs much of Alice's signature fight choreography in the Resident Evil films. But the high-risk wire work and falls, where her character is launched through the air, are handled by stunt professionals for safety and insurance reasons. The marketing emphasized her deep involvement, but the most dangerous moments always relied on experts. | © Sony Pictures Releasing
Jennifer Lawrence trained in ballet for Red Sparrow, but her double performed the expert sequences seen in wide shots. The production used digital face replacement to graft Lawrence's face onto the professional dancer's body. This let the film present a convincing transformation, while the true technical skill came from a lifelong dancer. | © 20th Century Studios
Dakota Johnson performed much of her vulnerable role in Fifty Shades of Grey herself. However, for scenes involving specific physical positioning or impact, a body double was used for both safety and modesty. Strategic camera angles maintained the illusion that it was all Johnson, even during the most physically explicit shots. | © Universal Studios
Drew Barrymore trained in martial arts for Charlie's Angels and performed many of the close-up fight shots. But the film's complex wirework and aerial kicks were handled by her stunt double, Shauna Duggins. Quick editing and hair flips helped mask the switch between the star and the professional doing the gravity-defying moves. | © Sony Pictures Releasing
Blake Lively learned to surf for The Shallows, handling the close-up shots on the board herself. However, the actual high-performance surfing in the waves was done by professional surfer Isabella Nichols. The film's marketing emphasized Lively's solitary struggle, but an athlete tackled the ocean's real demands. | © Sony Pictures Releasing
Jennifer Lopez trained extensively in pole dancing for Hustlers and performed the foundational moves herself. But the film's high-difficulty acrobatics and aerial spins required a professional dancer's skill, which takes years to master. Clever editing seamlessly blended Lopez's performance with her double's more expert routines for the final, dazzling effect. | © STX Entertainment
For the motorcycle chase in Knight and Day, promotional footage showed Cameron Diaz on the bike with Tom Cruise. But the actual high-speed driving shots were deemed too risky for her. A stunt double and even a dummy were used for the most dangerous moments, a practical safety move that the fun marketing didn't show. | © 20th Century Studios
Scarlett Johansson has mastered Black Widow's close-quarters combat and character over a decade of films. However, the character's signature acrobatics and complex aerial moves belong to her long-time stunt double, Heidi Moneymaker. For masked or wide shots involving flips and high falls, it's almost always the professional performing, not the star. | © Marvel Studios
Margot Robbie trained hard for Harley Quinn, learning fight choreography and holding her breath underwater for a long time. But the most dangerous physical feats, like high falls and brutal impacts, were performed by her stunt double, Ingrid Kleinig. The conversation often highlighted Robbie's dedication, overlooking the essential and risky work done by professionals. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Natalie Portman trained rigorously for Black Swan, but the film's most demanding ballet was performed by someone else. Professional dancer Sarah Lane executed the complex footwork and full-body shots. The production used face replacement to blend Portman's performance with Lane's expert movements for the final effect. | © Searchlight Pictures
When Wonder Woman required reshoots, Gal Gadot was five months pregnant and couldn't perform the strenuous stunt work. The physical demands of those action scenes fell to a stunt double, aided by some clever visual effects. Gadot remained involved on set, but the actual high-impact sequences were safely handled by a professional. | © Marvel Studios
While Brie Larson trained intensely for Captain Marvel, the film's demanding stunt work fell to professionals. Stunt doubles Renae Moneymaker and Joanna Bennett were credited for the high-flying wire action and combat. The studio's marketing highlighted her gym routine, but the actual dangerous sequences required experts. | © Marvel Studios
Even in our most action-packed blockbusters, the star isn't always the one taking the fall. For every breathtaking stunt you see, there's often a highly trained professional who made it happen. Let's pull back the curtain on some famous roles where the actress earned the credit, but her double did the dangerous work.
