‘You Had To Fight For Your Life’: Colman Domingo Tells Us A Very Funny Story About Filming That Wild Swamp Fight Scene For Netflix’s The Madness

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As a fan of Colman Domingo‘s captivating performances, I have to say that his work in The Madness is nothing short of breathtaking. In this gripping miniseries, he takes on the role of Muncie Daniels, a media pundit who finds himself in a life-or-death struggle for survival. One particularly memorable scene involves a wild swamp chase sequence that left me on the edge of my seat.

Spoilers for Netflix’s The Madness lie ahead, so read on at your own risk.

Colman Domingo has delivered exceptional performances in many roles, yet it can be debated that none have demanded as much from him as the character he plays in “The Madness,” set to air on TV in 2024. This conspiracy theory-driven miniseries finds Domingo portraying media pundit Muncie Daniels, who becomes a fugitive after being falsely accused of murder. In addition to proving his innocence, Daniels must defend himself against attackers on numerous occasions. An example of this is a thrilling swamp sequence, about which Domingo jokingly spoke with TopMob.

In the first episode of the series, Daniels encounters a murder while visiting the Poconos. Being so close to this brutal incident, he’s targeted by two assailants. These masked individuals eventually lead him to a swampy area, where he has to conceal himself to avoid them. However, instead of just hiding, Daniels ends up engaging in a fight with one of the attackers and ends up fatally stabbing him with a pen. This scene is thrilling and intricately staged.

In my eagerness to learn more about creating this specific scene, I found myself inquiring from Colman Domingo before the premiere of The Madness. Naturally, I had to ask him about it. Upon bringing up his memories of filming the swampy part, the modest actor openly discussed the requirements for pulling it off. As he shared his anecdote with a touch of humor, he also acknowledged one individual who was crucial in helping him finish that scene successfully:

[Laughs] It required a great deal of physical prowess, endurance, and energy. We filmed that after the writers’ strike, as we had to momentarily halt production. Since we were only three weeks away from wrapping up our work in Toronto, we needed to do some additional shooting in Atlanta. So, we brought our amazing crew from Atlanta with us, and discovered a swampy area. I believe they prepared it specifically for me. Thus, the water wasn’t frigidly cold, but warmer. I have an outstanding stunt team. Consequently, my stunt double was exceptional. We simply took turns executing the scene.

People who’ve watched some of the most outstanding action movies ever made on the big screen probably understand that creating a fight scene, regardless of its type, is a collaborative effort. It’s delightful (though not really surprising) to hear an actor from ‘Euphoria’ praising his fellow workers for their contributions. The role of a top-notch stunt double should never be overlooked, but it’s also important to note that the actor from ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ didn’t shy away from doing some of the physical work himself.

As a gamer, I can confidently say that I took on a good deal of the action sequences myself in that project. Given my physical nature, I was game for quite a bit. We had an amazing time together, and the detail was something else entirely. My director, Clement Virgo, is simply extraordinary – he’s soft-spoken yet meticulous, ensuring you’re always aware of every beat in the scene.

As a passionate gamer and a devoted Netflix subscriber, I can confidently say that Muncie’s fight for survival in the series is something I won’t forget anytime soon. It’s quite chilling when you consider he’s just an ordinary man, not some action-packed character like Jack Reacher or Alex Cross. Yet, Colman Domingo subtly hinted to me that Muncie isn’t your average Joe; beneath his mild-mannered exterior lies a unique set of skills.

To put it simply, this individual finds himself in an unexpected situation, taken aback by everything around him. Interestingly, despite being someone who typically wouldn’t find themselves in such circumstances, he has jiu jitsu training which turns out to be quite handy. So, while he’s a physically fit person, he didn’t anticipate needing those athletic skills to protect his own life.

So far, it appears that viewers can’t get enough of Colman Domingo’s new series, as it currently holds the top spot among trending shows on Netflix in the U.S. (as of now). The limited series by Stephen Belber takes inspiration from classic thrillers, and during an interview, Domingo shared films that left a lasting impression while he was filming. However, this production stands out with its unique style, and it excels largely due to Colman Domingo’s dedication to his role, whether it involves stunts or not.

The Madness can be streamed now along with the best shows on Netflix.

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2024-12-04 02:37