Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado.
The crew of King of Espionage was in full swing, prepping for the shoot.
After waiting over ten days, the air force base finally opened its gates to the film crew, granting them a precious ten-day window to wrap up filming the scenes tied to this location.
At that moment, Director Cohen, holding the shooting notes, was going over the key points for the scene with Luke, one by one.
For action scenes involving serious risks, it was standard to have someone walk the actor through the details like this to hammer home the precautions.
"Pay attention to the C-17 transport plane's main wings—they've got an upward curve on both sides. So, you'll need to aim your jump a bit farther out."
"Got it!"
"If you don't stick the landing after the jump, remember you can only roll toward the back of the plane. Do not roll forward, or you risk getting sucked into the engine."
"Understood."
"When you're crouching at the cargo door, with your height, it's best to squat about a foot down. That's the sweet spot to avoid the worst of the airflow."
"Got it!"
"The handholds on the cargo door have been treated for grip, but the second and fourth holes from the bottom are the best fit for your hand size."
"Noted!"
…
These seemingly minor details were critical to the success of the action scene—and, more importantly, to keeping Luke safe.
Director Cohen patiently went over every precaution. Normally, this would've been Bob's job, but today Cohen was stepping in.
Luke listened carefully, confirming each point with focus.
To the audience, his past action scenes might've looked reckless, like he was just relying on raw athleticism and top-tier skills to power through. But the reality was far more complex.
A thrilling action sequence required the entire crew working together like a well-oiled machine. Otherwise, why bother with a stunt coordinator or a film crew at all?
Luke couldn't just go rogue and handle it all solo.
Take today's scene, for example. Luke had to sync every move with the crew down to the smallest detail:
When would the C-17 start taxiing on the runway?
What was the right speed for the plane as it moved? Which route would it take?
When should Luke pivot after landing on the plane's roof?
How should the pilots adjust the plane's attitude during takeoff to match Luke's movements?
Those were just the big-picture concerns. The smaller ones were too numerous to list.
For instance, Director Cohen had already arranged for multiple bird-clearing operations around the airfield that morning.
One stray bird strike could spell disaster.
"Prep's almost done. Time to put on the windproof contact lenses," Cohen reminded.
"Ugh, these things are such a pain to stick in my eyes," Luke grumbled, though his hands didn't stop moving.
He inserted the custom-made windproof contact lenses.
Once the plane took off, the intense airflow would make it impossible to keep his eyes open without them. The crew had specially designed these high-polymer lenses to protect his vision in the brutal wind.
Luke shared a quick hug with Yuffie, who was standing nearby, then headed to the top of a small hill by the runway.
Soon, the C-17 would roll past on the runway below.
And he'd leap from above, aiming to land on the plane's wing.
"All departments, stand by. Filming's about to start."
The director's voice crackled through the earpiece.
Luke did a few knee-to-chest jumps, loosening up his knees and ankles.
"Action!"
Filming began!
The camera first panned to a lush, green patch of grass beside the runway.
Depp, dressed in camouflage, was crouched in the grass.
He raised his binoculars, eyeing the silver-gray C-17 transport plane on the tarmac.
If you looked closely, you'd notice the binocular lenses were wrapped with mesh cloth to prevent glare—a pro move for staying covert.
"Man, that's a beast. 174 feet long, 52 feet high, max takeoff weight of 315 tons," Depp marveled.
"Quit gawking and tell me you can control it," Yuffie's voice came through from the support base, speaking remotely.
"I just tried hacking into its electronic systems. No dice," Depp replied.
The plane's engines roared to life.
The massive turbofan engines sucked in air, letting out a deafening roar.
"They're starting the engines. It's about to take off!" Yuffie's urgent voice came through the earpiece.
"I know, I know! Damn it, the mechanical control system's locked out too," Depp said, frantically working his laptop.
"Latest updates at the source!"
"What about the hydraulic system?" Yuffie pressed.
"No go! It's completely locked down!" Depp was losing it—every path was a dead end.
"If you don't figure this out, that plane's taking off!"
"What am I supposed to do?!"
Then, Luke's voice cut through the comms:
"Can you open the plane's cargo door?"
"Maybe?" Depp's tone was shaky.
"When I give the signal, pop that door open!"
Roaring, Luke broke into a sprint.
He launched himself from the hilltop, soaring like a bird with wings spread wide, tracing a perfect arc through the air before landing firmly on the C-17's left wing.
Thud!
The sound of his landing echoed as Luke immediately lowered his center of gravity, crouching on the wing.
Regaining his balance, he moved with cat-like agility, scampering along the wing's surface toward the cargo door at the plane's side.
His movements were so fluid and precise, it was hard not to think of a cheetah stalking its prey.
"His ability to stay balanced while moving is unreal now. Compared to before, it's night and day," Director Cohen remarked.
The first action scene he'd shot with Luke was that car-jumping stunt in Fast & Furious.
Back then, the same kind of leap had shown Luke's raw potential, but it was rough around the edges, heart-stopping to watch as he relied on grit and guts.
Now, pulling off similar moves, Luke was steady as a rock—reliable, composed, and utterly reassuring.
He swiftly slid down from the wing, landing precisely outside the cargo door.
Standing on the landing gear's wheel hub, he gripped the door's handholds tightly.
"Open the door!" Luke bellowed.
The massive airflow from the plane's engines whipped around him.
Every strand of his hair was yanked backward, tugging at his scalp with sharp stings of pain.