Arianna Rivas on ‘A Working Man’: From Co-Star to Action Hero Alongside Jason Statham

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Caution: Plot Reveals: This conversation discloses information about “A Working Man,” currently showing in cinemas.

In the film “A Working Man” by David Ayer, Jason Statham portrays Levon Cade, a former Royal Marine who has settled into a peaceful life as a construction worker in Chicago. However, when the daughter of his employer, a young girl named Jenny (played by Arianna Rivas), gets kidnapped by a group of human traffickers, Levon decides to step out of retirement and confront her abductors.

In this movie, Ayer and Statham have delivered another action-packed installment, following on from last year’s “The Beekeeper” where Statham was aiding the defenseless. However, unlike the elderly women saved in that film who aren’t typically fighters, the female lead in “A Working Man’s” takes control of her situation in the climax, engaging in combat alongside Levon to rescue herself from captivity and defeat her abductors.

In conversation with EbMaster, Rivas expresses a sense of liberation. He felt strong, powerful, and resplendent. He described it as if he had truly found his place and was able to embody what he’s always aspired to portray.

An enthusiast of timeless action movies, Rivas excitedly seized the opportunity to contribute to “A Working Man”. Her enthusiasm was fueled by the fact that Sylvester Stallone was not only starring in the film but also co-wrote the script with Ayer, which she saw as a positive sign.

She clarifies, “I spotted the name ‘Sylvester Stallone’ in an email, and his tale about selling the ‘Rocky’ script has always been inspiring to me. Whenever I face uncertainty, I remind myself, ‘If Sylvester Stallone could do it, so can I.’ Upon seeing his name, a sense of reassurance washed over me, thinking ‘This is a sign.’ It was truly a moment I had long anticipated.

While not everyone’s aspirations revolve around devoting countless hours at the gym mastering a punch, stunt coordinator and second unit director Eddie J. Fernandez emphasizes that Rivas was absolutely capable of handling the physical demands.

Initially, we evaluated her abilities – checking if she could perform kicks and punches. From the start, I could tell she was exceptional,” Fernandez expresses. “She’s attractive, skilled, youthful, ambitious. Whenever I required her to be at the gym at a specific hour, she would always arrive ahead of time, already stretching and eager for action. She was more than willing to take hits and push herself. Her dedication was impressive, making it a pleasure to have her on set and see her shine on the big screen.

If Rivas seemed unfazed by working alongside an action heavyweight like Statham, Fernandez points out that she managed to conceal any apprehension. “Jason is incredibly cool, yet can be somewhat intimidating at times,” said Fernandez. “However, being an actress, she knows how to deliver a convincing performance. By the halfway point of the movie, they were exchanging warm embraces and friendly slaps on the back, praising each other with ‘Good job!’ It was a great match.

According to Rivas, simply observing Statham’s punching technique was enlightening. She marveled at how he managed to deliver a powerful punch without causing harm to a stunt double or striking someone genuinely. Fascinated by the intricate details of his method, such as where the power comes from, she couldn’t help but geek out while watching him and jotting down notes whenever possible.

For four months, Rivas honed the choreography for a pivotal stunt scene in “A Working Man’s” final act. However, production issues required the team to revise Jenny’s key moment. The revised sequence, designed by Ayer and Fernandez, depicts Rivas with her hands bound over her head as she struggles against her cruel captor Artemis (played by Eve Mauro), in a fight scene.

Fernandez explains that the scene was modified approximately four times. Despite some disagreements, the number of filming days was reduced, which required David to quickly adapt and rewrite the entire finale. We had limited time for rehearsals, perhaps just 24 hours, to assess how the new ending compared to the initial script.

Rivas admits that particular scene was incredibly challenging for her, likening her movements to a struggling fish. They had meticulously rehearsed complex choreography for four months, but on the day, they decided to alter it spontaneously. However, once they finally got it right, it proved to be an enjoyable experience.

Despite being birthed from a tight deadline, Fernandez shares that one of his favorite scenes is the altered concluding sequence. “Statham and Rivas share a small moment – they gaze at each other, conveying ‘Not only did you stand by me, I’ve got your back as well.’

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2025-03-29 19:47