Chris Brewster (right) with Charlie Cox (left) on the set of Marvel’s Daredevil
You may not know Chris Brewster, but you’ll certainly know his moves: he’s been a stunt double for Chris Evans in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Charlie Cox in Marvel’s Daredevil.
Since the success of Marvel’s Daredevil, things have been absolutely crazy for Brewster with his stunt career skyrocketing and gaining much applause from colleagues and viewers alike for Brewster’s masterful stunt performances that help ground the story of Marvel’s Daredevil. Cake Oven’s reporter and Daredevil fan Kenny Williams stopped for a quick chat with Chris Brewster who speaks fondly of his experiences on set with Marvel’s productions and helping create the most raw action sequence seen yet.
Chris Brewster on the set of Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Other than dressing up as Captain America and Daredevil, which is awesome, tell us more about what you do?
Well, I’m a stuntman. (laughing) I get paid to be clumsy. I’m kidding. I’ve got my dream job. I get to dress up like super heroes, jump and fight, and work with some of the coolest people in the world.
How long have you been doing stunt work for?
I’ve been doing stunts for just over 10 years now. There was a very seamless progression from competing in martial arts to live performance, and then into the stunt world. After retiring from competition, I joined Matt Mullins and Craig Henningsen on Sideswipe. We did half time shows, corporate events, and commercials. After we made it to the finals in America’s Got Talent, we started getting more work “on camera”. That’s when I began meeting the stunt coordinators who would become my idols and leaders in the stunt world.
Have you had any serious injuries doing your work?
To be honest, I have remained fairly uninjured. I’ve definitely collected some bumps and bruises, but I love it. I like to push myself to the limits, and stunts allow me to do that. Stunts is all about “calculated risks”. You want to make the scene look amazing, without destroying yourself (too much). When you are working with great stunt coordinators, and great stunt teams, you have people watching your back and keeping you safe.
You’ve done some impressive work for Marvel so far, including stunt work in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. What was it like working on Captain America: The Winter Soldier?
Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a blast. There was a great team, under the leadership of stunt legend, Tom Harper. Tom is one of the coolest stuntmen on the planet. Chris Evans is awesome, and I’m a big fan of Captain America. My favorite part of that show was working on the . I like challenges, like fighting 10 people in a very confined space. It gives you the rare opportunity to do something different and exciting.
Your latest project is stunt work in Marvel’s Daredevil. The most talked about scene has been the infamous “hallway scene” where Daredevil is just fighting relentlessly and exhaustedly, pushing himself to his human limits and almost the brink of collapse. How did you develop such an incredible and intense scene?
Unlike other super heroes, Daredevil doesn’t have super strength or healing. He’s the most REAL superhero out there. The goal of that fight was to make the audience feel what Daredevil was going through. He was outnumbered, and extremely beat up. But he is the “man without fear”. He doesn’t give up. No matter how tired, or injured he is, he keeps going.
What is it like to work with Charlie Cox and the rest of the cast and crew?
Daredevil seriously has the coolest cast and crew ever. Charlie Cox is absolutely awesome. He is one of the most genuine and cool people I have ever met, and he is just perfect as Matt Murdock. Phil Silvera, the stunt coordinator, is a really close friend of mine. He truly pushed the action of this show to new levels. His passion and excitement made every single punch count. I could literally go on forever about having a great DP, awesome directors and producers… Literally every person in every department was great. Daredevil was a team effort. Everyone came together and I think we created something epic!
What does someone have to do, to be a stunt artist like yourself?
The best thing about stunts is that every stunt performer has a different background. There are martial artists, gymnasts, cowboys, professional motocross athletes… There is no clear cut path. Usually, the first few years of a stunt career are spent hustling, and making a name for yourself. Then, once you are given a chance, the goal is just to do a good job, and hopefully that will lead to more.
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