'The Fall Guy' Soundtrack: How Taylor Swift and a scrapped Alanis Morissette song shaped the film
Ryan Gosling's action-comedy "The Fall Guy" features a soundtrack that's as surprising and fun as its stunts. Director David Leitch and producer Kelly McCormick told Vareity that they built a soundscape of '80s classics, contemporary hits, and even got Taylor Swift's blessing for a key scene.
McCormick, a self-described Swiftie, envisioned a Taylor Swift song during a poignant moment where Gosling's stuntman character Colt Seavers reflects on a failed relationship. "All Too Well" captured the character's heartbreak perfectly. Securing the rights happened before Swift's Eras Tour frenzy, but the filmmakers were confident in the singer's willingness to license her music.
The film's most prominent (and initially controversial) musical choice is the 1979 Kiss hit "I Was Made For Lovin' You." Leitch was adamant about using the campy rock anthem, ultimately winning over the studio, Gosling, and even the film's composer who integrated it into the score.
The soundtrack also features blasts from the past like the "Miami Vice" theme, Phil Collins' "Against All Odds," plus an original song that reimagines the theme from "The Fall Guy" TV series performed by Blake Shelton.
Sadly, not every musical gem made it into the movie. Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" was cleared for a karaoke scene featuring Emily Blunt, but the moment didn't survive final edits. Still, there's always hope for a director's cut including that lost performance!