Bert Kreischer on Doing His Own Stunts in ‘The Machine’
Comedian Bert Kreischer rose to fame with a viral story about the time he robbed a train with the Russian mafia. That video has 52 million views on YouTube and has inspired a new movie, The Machine, in theaters May 26.
In the film, Kreischer plays himself alongside Star Wars alum Mark Hamill, who plays his father. When asked about working with a legend like Hamill, Kreischer told Men’s Journal, “It was awesome. It was better than I think anyone would ever expect. He’s super generous. He’s a great actor.”
The Machine is equal parts comedy and adventure. In other words, there’s a whole lot of action (think fight scenes, guns, explosions, and train chases.)
“I did, probably, I would say 95 percent of my own stunts,” Kreischer says. “The only stunts I wasn’t allowed to do was go down the full flight of stairs."
Kreischer did get hurt during filming, however. “I hurt myself midway through the movie. I tore tendons in my left elbow and ripped my triceps,” he says.
To prepare for the rigorous action, Kreischer was on a strict fitness plan. “I worked out really hard. Every morning I ran four miles and would lift weights,” he recounts. “Had I not done that, I would’ve been a mess.”
The Machine debuts exclusively in theaters nationwide on May 26, just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
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