Michelle Rodriguez: Charlize Theron and I Shot Our ‘Fast X’ Fight Scene ‘With No Director… We Don’t Need One, Let’s Do This’

variety.com:

Zack Sharf Digital News Director The official trailer for “Fast X” unveiled the first footage of Jason Momoa and Brie Larson joining the long-running action series, but it was the brutal fight scene between franchise veterans Michelle Rodriguez and Charlize Theron that packed the most punch.

The duo go head-to-head in what looks like a fist fight for the ages, and Rodriguez recently told Vanity Fair they filmed it without a director. “Can I just tell you — no pun intended, but Charlize is a monster,” Rodriguez said. “We shot our [‘Fast X’] fight sequence with no director.

Bro, like, hands down, drop mic, we nailed it. We were there, we don’t need [a director], let’s do this.” “Fast X” started production with Justin Lin, who has directed five “Fast & Furious” movies, but he departed the movie just days into filming because of creative differences. “The Transporter” and “Now You See Me” director Louis Leterrier was brought in as Lin’s replacement, but there was about a week where “Fast X” had no director.

According to Rodriguez, that was when she and Theron filmed their fight scene. No principal director was on set for the scene, although Rodriguez did say a “second unit director” came on to help oversee. “We kept that train running until Louie came in and took over,” Rodriguez added. “And [Charlize] is a consummate professional, sharp elbows, her work ethic is beyond.” Variety has reached out to Universal Pictures for additional comment.