Teyana Taylor revealed she embraced her inner Tom Cruise by performing nearly all her own stunts in the upcoming Leonardo DiCaprio film, One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The dark comedy, featuring a cast including Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, and Regina Hall, is set for release on September 26, 2025.
During a Variety interview, Taylor shared insights about her role as Perfidia, highlighting a dramatic scene from the trailer where her character fires a machine gun while visibly pregnant. She likened the moment to a famous movie character, saying,
“B—-, I felt like Tony Montana,”
referring to Al Pacino‘s iconic role in Scarface. Reflecting on the stunt, Taylor added,
“It was cute, it was real cute. I had a good time because I don’t know if I would do that in real life…Maybe [but] without the belly.”
She emphasized her hands-on approach to action scenes, proudly stating,
“By the way, I did all my own stunts. Well, like 99% of them…You know, I like to feel like Tom Cruise on set. Watch out, Tom Cruise,”
demonstrating her dedication to bringing authenticity and energy to her character’s physical challenges.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Character and Inspirations Behind the Film
Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Bob Ferguson, a laid-back individual who
“sits home and smokes pot all the time,”
as described by DiCaprio himself. The actor revealed that he drew significant inspiration from Jeff Bridges‘ character in The Big Lebowski (1998) to shape his portrayal. Unlike Taylor, DiCaprio admitted he only performed a few stunts and described his attempts humorously as “a series of failures.”
The film is both written and produced by Paul Thomas Anderson, who collaborated closely with producers Adam Somner and Sara Murphy. The score is composed by Jonny Greenwood, Radiohead‘s guitarist and a frequent Anderson collaborator, adding a distinctive musical layer to the movie’s dark comedic tone.
The Impact and What to Expect from One Battle After Another
One Battle After Another promises to blend sharp dark comedy with intense, physical performances highlighted by Teyana Taylor’s commitment to stunt work and Leonardo DiCaprio’s nuanced character study. The collaboration of acclaimed artists such as Anderson, Greenwood, and a high-profile ensemble cast signals a distinctive film experience. Its upcoming release in late 2025 is likely to attract significant attention from both critics and audiences, especially given the blend of action and dark humor delivered by stars who challenge themselves physically and creatively on set.
