As a die-hard fan of action films and superheroes, I must say that Christiaan Bettridge is truly living my dream life! This woman not only brings our favorite characters to life with her breathtaking stunts but also shares glimpses into her extraordinary journey through social media.
In “Deadpool and Wolverine,” it’s not just Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman who shone; there’s a case to be made that some supporting roles and guest appearances truly outshone the main characters. For instance, Wesley Snipes brought back beloved character Blade, while Channing Tatum got his chance to play Gambit within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The finale of the movie also introduced a flurry of Deadpool variants that referenced everything from “The Greatest Showman” to Welsh soccer team Wrexham A.F.C. Leading the ragtag group was Lady Deadpool, a female version of the anti-hero voiced by none other than Reynolds’ wife, Blake Lively. However, the part was physically portrayed by Australian stunt performer Christiaan “Stanni” Bettridge — who usually steps in when actors refuse or can’t do stunts themselves.
Even though Bettridge is still relatively fresh in the film industry, she’s made quite an impression in Hollywood and it’s likely that you’ve watched some of her movies. In our previous discussions, we’ve explored the real-life appearances of stunt doubles for characters like Deadpool and Wolverine. Today, however, we’re focusing on Bettridge’s life and career, offering a hint as to where you might recognize her from in your cinema experiences.
Bettridge began as a ballerina, dancer, and athlete
Before I made a name for myself as a stunt performer in the movie industry, my career path was quite diverse. Even before the age of 22, you could find me dancing, not just on stage but also traveling across Europe and Asia, landing some model gigs along the way. However, it’s hard to say how dedicated I was to modeling or if it opened any more doors for me in that field.
It’s evident that Bettridge wasn’t your typical dancer. Coming from a ballet background, her initial career capitalized on her dancing abilities, although she acknowledged that she didn’t excel naturally at dancing when she was young. Despite not being passionately in love with ballet, she persisted in honing her skills as a dancer by performing professionally in Australia and branching out into various dance genres like cabaret and contemporary.
Over time, she developed such impressive abilities that she secured high-profile positions across various global locations. Notably, Bettridge graced the stages of both the Le Lido musical theater on Paris’ Champs-Élysées, where she was part of a burlesque and cabaret performance, and the world-renowned Moulin Rouge, where she danced. It is possible that any spectators attending shows in France might have witnessed her captivating stage presence.
She started stunt work in the SyFy series Hunters
Christiaan Bettridge made his initial screen appearance in the SyFy series “Hunters.” The program centers around a clandestine government group called the Exo-Terrorism Unit, whose mission is to locate and eradicate an alien race that invaded Earth and now live among humans. It aired for only one season with 13 episodes before its unexpected conclusion. Given the show’s generally negative reviews from critics and modest viewer ratings during its original broadcast, it was not surprising when it was ultimately canceled.
In 2016, Bettridge served as a stand-in for Britne Oldford’s character, Regan, across three episodes of the show. Regan is actually a Hunter in disguise, working within the ETU. Her enigmatic role and impulsive behavior frequently landed her in precarious situations, providing numerous chances for Bettridge to demonstrate her stunt skills. This job marked a significant debut in the realm of stunt work for Bettridge, as Regan was one of the principal characters in the series.
Her next role came in the H20 spin-off Mako Mermaids
Christiaan Bettridge subsequently featured in the Netflix TV series titled “Mako Mermaids,” or “Mako: Island of Secrets” as it is known in its Australian homeland. This series is a spin-off from “H2O: Just Add Water,” which debuted in 2013 and ran for three seasons, producing a total of 68 episodes. Similar to its predecessor, “Mako Mermaids” revolves around the metamorphosis of children into mermaids. In this storyline, it’s a teenage boy named Zac (played by Chai Hansen) who inexplicably turns into a merman after visiting Mako Island.
In the TV show, Bettridge is recognized under “practical effects” or “safety stunts”, implying that she wasn’t an actor’s stand-in for complex stunts but rather focused on ensuring safety and performing basic stunts. This role often encompasses a variety of tasks like managing fire, vehicles, and even diving – skills likely utilized extensively in “Mako Mermaids” since a significant portion of the action unfolds underwater.
Although it’s unclear in what specific ways Bettridge added to the series, she was part of a 27-member stunt squad, which comprised safety divers and swimmers among others. Unlike several other stunt artists, however, only one episode of the series acknowledges her contribution.
Bettridge’s big break came in Wonder Woman
In 2017, Christiaan Bettridge’s most notable career highlight occurred when she joined the stunt team for the movie “Wonder Woman” starring Gal Gadot. Known as Christiaan Schodel during this project, she collaborated with over 200 individuals responsible for stunts in the DC Extended Universe film. Remarkably, Bettridge earned two different credits in the film, serving as a stand-in for both Connie Nielsen, portraying Amazonian Queen Hippolyta, and Gal Gadot’s character, Wonder Woman herself.
1. The film stands out among many in the DC Extended Universe, achieving both financial and critical acclaim, earning over $800 million at the box office. Before “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” “Wonder Woman” unfolds the tale of Diana, the Amazonian princess, exploring the origins of World War I and striving to halt the conflict in order to counteract the schemes of her chief adversary, Ares.
As a kid, I used to adore Wonder Woman, and now, as an adult, I’m living my childhood dream by playing her! It feels amazing to step into the shoes of someone I looked up to for so long. And let me tell you, winning the 2018 Screen Actors Guild Award for “Wonder Woman” was a shared honor with our fantastic stunt department – we all worked hard to bring this iconic character to life!
She has since doubled for Gadot in more films
Christiaan Bettridge had previously stood in for Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, and that wasn’t the only time. In fact, she reprised her role as a stand-in for Gadot in the 2017 film “Justice League,” directed by Zack Snyder. She also doubled for Gadot again in “Wonder Woman 1984” three years later.
With James Gunn now steering the DC Universe, it seems Gal Gadot’s tenure as Wonder Woman may be wrapping up. Yet, this doesn’t rule out future collaborations between Gadot and Bettridge. In fact, Bettridge has already stood in for Gadot in two Netflix productions post-Wonder Woman: “Red Notice” from 2021, co-starring Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds, and the 2023 film “Heart of Stone.”
In the spirit of a hashtag honoring women, Gadot shared a backstage photo featuring herself along with stuntwoman Bettridge on Instagram. Accompanying the snapshot was a heartfelt tribute to Bettridge for her exceptional work – a thoughtful gesture given the inherent risks involved in this high-risk profession, especially considering that stunt performers have tragically lost their lives while filming movie sequences. Gadot expressed her sentiment by saying, “She’s been with me since the initial Wonder Woman, and I can see we have a long journey ahead together.” She went on to describe Bettridge as someone who is always by her side ensuring safety, while simultaneously taking blows and colliding with walls. In Gadot’s words, “She’s not just a mother and an athlete; her movements are extraordinary, unlike anything I’ve witnessed in a stunt performer.”
Bettridge also did stunt work for 2023’s Locked In
In one of his most recent projects, Christiaan Bettridge was involved in the production of “Locked In,” a Netflix-exclusive psychological thriller released in 2023. This movie primarily employs flashbacks as a hospital nurse, played by Anna Friel, endeavors to aid a patient who was initially believed to be in a coma but was later discovered to have locked-in syndrome. The nurse collaborates with the affected individual, Katherine (played by Famke Janssen), to help her regain movement and unearth the secrets behind her accident as well as uncover the shadowy aspects of her family’s history.
For the first time since the premiere of “Wonder Woman” in 2017, Bettridge took on the role of a stunt actor for someone other than Gal Gadot, this time standing in for Famke Janssen. One might think that a part like this, belonging to someone with locked-in syndrome who can only move their eyes, wouldn’t necessitate much stunt work. However, a crucial flashback towards the end of the film reveals how Katherine ends up in the hospital. In this scene, her fellow conspirator and lover, Robert (Alex Hassell), drives over her with his car.
She has done time in the MCU for The Marvels
Stepping out of the comfort zone of the DC Extended Universe, I’ve found myself venturing into the vibrant world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe too! The exciting sequel to 2019’s “Captain Marvel,” titled “The Marvels,” saw me rejoining Brie Larson as the powerful Carol Danvers. Alongside her, we had Teyonah Parris embodying Monica Rambeau and Iman Vellani bringing Kamala Khan to life on screen. The ever-reliable Samuel L. Jackson returned once more as the legendary Nick Fury.
In contrast to her usual roles, Bettridge isn’t acknowledged as a stand-in for any specific actor during stunts. Instead, she is recognized as a stunt performer, suggesting that she may have performed stunts for multiple actors when required. Although the titles “stunt double” and “stunt performer” can often be used interchangeably to describe the same position, in this context it seems that Bettridge wasn’t exclusively replacing one actor but rather participating in stunts across various roles as needed. Bettridge collaborated with renowned performers like Nicole Alphonce, Matthew Bell, and Marvin Campbell in the stunt team, as well as frequent Brie Larson stunt double Joanna Bennett.
Dancing helped Bettridge prepare for fight choreography
It appears that Christiaan Bettridge’s background in dancing and sports might have been instrumental in readying her for her present role as a stunt performer. In an interview with Scholastic, she explained how her past jobs equipped her with the skills necessary to thrive in Hollywood. Specifically, she attributed her ability to master fight scenes to her experience learning intricate dance moves. Both pursuits share similarities, such as the need for precisely executed choreographed routines to ensure flawless timing.
Bettridge shared that while many stunt performers were once athletes, her background as a dancer gave her an edge. She explained that every fight and stunt scene is carefully choreographed, allowing her to pick up the moves swiftly due to her extensive experience learning dance routines. Additionally, she mentioned the challenges they face when training with weapons like swords, but highlighted how her fitness from years spent working out at the gym benefited her during these demanding tasks.
Bettridge continued by offering words of inspiration to any young individuals facing similar training, emphasizing that the experience equips them with valuable skills for numerous professions in the future. She further stated, “You won’t necessarily be an athlete or dancer for life. However, the discipline and effort you put into this journey now will demonstrate your ability to achieve anything.”
She was involved in several behind-the-scenes videos
Being a stunt performer often involves working behind the scenes and remaining unrecognizable as they stand in for actors, ensuring the focus remains on the characters themselves. However, the job requires immense skill, dedication, and perseverance, which is not always apparent to the viewers. Frequently, people are unaware of the intricacies involved in executing stunning stunts for major films and television productions, as well as the identities of those who make it happen. Thankfully, some engaging videos have emerged that provide a glimpse into what it takes to become a stunt performer and how seemingly impossible stunts are mastered.
Christiaan Bettridge has previously created content for two videos:
Titled “A Peek at Marvel Movies from Backstage,” the documentary showcases short segments where Bettridge appears, discussing the production process and presenting raw footage of the stunts before visual effects are added. Additionally, she has spoken about her role in “Wonder Woman 1984” on a panel alongside other stunt performers involved in DC films and television productions.
You might have seen her posting fitness videos online
Even if you are completely unaware of Christiaan Bettridge as a stunt performer, there’s a chance you may have seen her online. Her Instagram is active and has over 20,000 followers, with Bettridge not only providing a behind-the-scenes look at some of her work in Hollywood movies but also sharing other aspects of her life. Many of these posts include videos and images showing how she stays in shape and gets in condition to carry out her demanding stunts. Her routines range from workouts to hikes up mountain trails and forests.
Bettridge is incredibly enthusiastic about maintaining physical fitness and sculpting her physique, which led her to create an on-demand personal training service accessible via an app. This service will leverage Bettridge’s extensive background in stunt work, dance, athletics, as well as a diverse skill set that includes martial arts, car racing, jet ski operation, scuba diving, and weapon handling. With such a wealth of experience under her belt, she aims to provide a comprehensive fitness teaching approach.
Bettridge is marrying a Chris Evans stunt double
Beyond their individual careers, Christiaan Bettridge and Andy Lister might be recognized by some, given that Lister is a stunt performer and actor. Over the course of several years, they’ve been romantically involved, with Lister proposing to Bettridge in 2023. They frequently share photos of their adventures on social media as they globe-trot together. Additionally, they have collaborated on various films: Lister trained actors for “Wonder Woman 1984,” during which Bettridge doubled for Gal Gadot, and he also served as the assistant fight coordinator on “The Marvels.”
In his latest performance, Lister teamed up with Bettridge once more, this time serving as the assistant stunt coordinator for “Deadpool and Wolverine.” His role involved designing some of the action sequences featured in the movie. You might also recognize him as one of the TVA agents who engage in combat with Deadpool at the film’s opening. Additionally, he has served as a stand-in for several actors, including Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, and Benedict Cumberbatch, across various productions, demonstrating that stunt doubles don’t necessarily resemble their acting counterparts.
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2024-08-15 04:30