Liam Neeson Recalls Terrifying Waterfall Stunt in Seraphim Falls
Action star Liam Neeson reflects on a dangerous waterfall stunt in Seraphim Falls and shares his concerns regarding the future of the Hollywood film industry.
POLICY WIRE — London, UK — The 74-year-old Liam Neeson recently looked back on the most stressful stunt of his acting career, admitting he felt deep anxiety during the filming.
The ‘Taken’ lead is currently on tour for his new action project, The Mongoose, in which he portrays a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran directing police during a high-speed pursuit through Texas. The film also features Marisa Tomei and Ving Rhames.
The movie was hel by Mark Vanselow, who has served as Neeson’s stunt double for many years. During a discussion with Entertainment Tonight, Neeson identified a specific scene from the 2006 film Seraphim Falls as his most memorable challenge.
Neeson described a sequence involving a waterfall that required a location where the water was not frozen over by winter weather. He noted that while Vanselow performed a stunt over the falls, the water was frigid, which left the actor feeling “very, very concerned.”>
Vanselow recalled that the shoot took place in Oregon during a 30rd-day stretch of continuous rain, which caused the river to swell with water. The stunt double mentioned being positioned directly beneath a helicopter as it flew over the drop.
Vanselow shared a lighter moment involving Craig Hosking, the pilot who worked with them on The Mongoose. After the stunt, the pilot reportedly dipped Vanselow into a warming tank like “a martini olive” before landing the aircraft next to the hot tub.
Seraphim Falls was a revisionist Western set in the aftermath of the American Civil War. Neeson played former Confederate Colonel Morsman Carver, a character pursuing a Union officer named Gideon, played by Pierce Brosnan.
Neeson has recently voiced doubts about the trajectory of the film industry, specifically the shift toward streaming platforms rather than traditional theatrical releases.
Speaking to the Press Association, the actor expressed worry over the state of Hollywood due to company mergers and acquisitions, deating what the future holds for feature-length films.
Neeson also noted he feels lucky in his career, observing that the industry is defined by rejection and that many peers go without work for long periods.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
