Sci-Fi Actors Who Did All Their Own Stunts

Stunt coordinators and performers are an essential part of the film industry. Someone has to block, stage, and perform the larger-than-life stunts that make the "movie magic" happen! Computer-generated imagery can't match the authenticity of the real thing. Even if special effects augment a sequence, it helps a scene's believability if it's (at least) partially shot with real stunts.

Lately, there has been an ongoing movement to show appreciation for stunt artists – like when Helen Mirren told Indiewire that the Academy Awards should honor the craft. Currently, the Oscars don't have a category for best stunts, best stunt coordination, best stunt directing, or best stunt ensemble. Although the Screen Actors Guild Awards have awards in these categories, other televised award shows like the BAFTAs still don't recognize these talented professionals.

Recently, we've seen stunt artists rise within the ranks to become filmmakers for blockbuster-action films. Chad Stahelski, Keanu Reeves' stunt double on "The Matrix," directed his former collaborator in 2014's "John Wick" and its sequels. Stahelski's creative partner and stunt-double-turned-director David Leitch helmed "Atomic Blonde," "Deadpool 2," "Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw," and "Bullet Train."

Even if films use stunt doubles, actors that decide to do (or craft) most of their stunts deserve credit for caring enough to put in the extra work. Here's a list of sci-fi stars who performed most of their stunt work, meriting praise.

Keanu Reeves' work with David Leitch and Chad Stahelski on the "John Wick" franchise inspired Charlize Theron to undergo an intense training regime. She trained in the same gym as Reeves before starring in Leitch's "Atomic Blonde," based on the graphic novel "The Coldest City." Although Theron used a stunt double for the most brutal sequences in "Atomic Blonde," she did nearly all of her stunts in the sci-fi thriller, "The Old Guard." She was so committed to her role of Andy that Theron learned how to wield a battle ax.

Although "The Old Guard" is a superhero film, it's much more vicious than most. Inspired by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández's comic book series of the same name, "The Old Guard" follows a group of immortal warriors that work as mercenaries. Former CIA operative James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) hires Andy and her team to rescue a group of captive children in Africa. However, Copley secretly records the group in action, revealing his footage to the pharmaceutical tycoon, Steven Merrick (Harry Melling). Merrick is keen on studying the groups' powers and attempts to apprehend them.

Although Andy has advanced healing abilities, she's studied various combat styles for centuries. As the oldest immortal warrior, Andy was once a warrior in ancient Scythia. Theron's dedication to the role showed how Andy's amalgamation of skills has developed into a unique fighting style.

Sigourney Weaver's impact on the sci-fi genre is immeasurable. Her role as Ellen Ripley throughout the "Alien" franchise inspired decades of sci-fi heroes. Unlike Luke Skywalker, Ripley has no superpowers. She is an officer on a commercial spaceship. When a ruthless Xenomorph boards her spacecraft, Ripley must learn to fight. Ripley's crew dies one by one, pushing her to depend on herself for survival.

Although Ripley plays more of a "final girl" type in "Alien," she becomes a full-on badass in its sequel, "Aliens." In the 1986 film, Ripley reluctantly agrees to lead a group of Colonial Marines to investigate the planet LV-426. Almost immediately, the Marines are ambushed by Xenomorphs and stranded. At James Cameron's insistence, Weaver filmed her action scenes amidst freezing weather conditions. "Aliens" succeeded in showing Ripley's evolution as a character, becoming a fighter and maternal figure to the young Newt (Carrie Henn). Weaver's emotional performance earned her Academy Award nomination for best actress, a rarity for both science fiction films and sequels.

Cameron and Weaver's work in "Aliens" jumpstarted a fruitful partnership. Weaver trained to hold her breath for over six minutes underwater for a sequence in "Avatar: The Way of Water," per People. Weaver and her co-stars learned how to maintain their composure while submerged. Details about the highly-anticipated sequel are scarce. But the trailer for "Avatar: The Way of Water" teases it'll be well worth the wait.

Before becoming an actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger had an extensive career as a bodybuilder. In 1967, Schwarzenegger earned the "Mr. Universe" title and won America's "Mr. Olympia" competition for six years consecutively. Renowned for his physique, action filmmakers relied on Schwarzenegger to do his own stunts.

"Total Recall" showed a different side of Schwarzenegger. He had to play an average guy wrapped up in a sci-fi adventure. Paul Verhoeven's thought-provoking mystery explores the nature of dreams, ending in a way that "Total Recall" fans still debate. Schwarzenegger stars as Douglas Quaid, a blue-collar worker who dreams of having adventures as a secret agent on Mars. Quaid's fantasies turn into reality when he travels to the red planet, finding himself pursued by assassins.

Throughout his career, Schwarzenegger has sustained many injuries. But shooting "Total Recall" was grueling. During the film's subway chase sequence, Schwarzenegger cut his wrists after smashing his gun into a window that was supposed to detonate ahead of time. He wasn't the only "Total Recall" cast member who got hurt during filming. During one of the film's fight sequences, Michael Ironside cracked his rib. Also, the cast and crew suffered from food poisoning while shooting in Mexico City. Despite the challenging production, "Total Recall" has stood the test of time as one of Schwarzenegger's finest films.

When Adam Driver debuted as Kylo Ren in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," it was clear that he was a very different type of villain than the galaxy far, far away had ever seen before. Later revealed to be the child of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), he is brought to the dark side by Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis).

However, "The Last Jedi" reveals that Ben's resentment for his family cuts much deeper than the anger of a spurned child. Ben feared that his uncle, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), was planning on slaying him in his sleep. Driver's performance here showed that his character lets his fears control him: he lashes out at those closest to him. As a result, he has a unique way of wielding his lightsaber. Ben's signature weapon, a red lightsaber with a cross guard, gives him extra protection during close-quarters duels — allowing him to inflict critical wounds on his opponents.

According to "The Rise of Skywalker" stunt coordinator Eunice Huthart, Driver insisted on performing his stunts for the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy. While many actors insist on doing their stunts, Driver felt that it was important for him to immerse himself within the character. She called Driver "as good as any stuntman," and shared that he didn't require a stunt double. Only Driver wore Kylo Ren's mask in "The Rise of the Skywalker."

Scott Adkins is one of the most underrated action movie stars in Hollywood. Although he's had smaller roles in well-known films like "Doctor Strange," "Zero Dark Thirty," and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," Adkins is the star of many great projects released directly to VOD services. Adkins has studied Karate, Judo, Kickboxing, Jujutsu, Krav Maga, and Ninjutsu, according to Men's Journal. In his action films, he performs his stunts.

In the sci-fi action film "Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning," Adkins stars as a former soldier named John, who goes back into action after the brainwashed military leader Private Luc Deveraux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) murders his family. When he learns that Deveraux has a terrorist clan that worships his commands, John sets out on a path of vengeance.

Although the first entry in the "Universal Soldier" film franchise from Roland Emmerich is corny blockbuster filmmaking at best, "Day of Reckoning" has a radically different tone. Instead of seeing Emmerich's trademark cheesy humor on-screen, the film uses disturbing, hypnotic visuals often found in psychological horror films. The murder of John's wife and child is shown from his point of view, giving the viewer a gruesome look at how Deveraux has changed. While they trade blows on-screen, Adkins told ScreenCrush that Van Damme inspired him to become a martial artist and movie star.