10 Insane Skills Actors Learned For Movie Roles

8. Joseph Gordon-Levitt Learned How To Walk A Tightrope (The Walk)

The Walk
Sony Pictures

Biographical drama The Walk tells the true story of French daredevil Philippe Petit's high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974.

Fortunately for star-man Joseph Gordon-Levitt, he wasn't actually sent 400 metres up in the air and asked to walk along a tightrope, but even though the height element of this stunt was faked using digital effects, the balancing part was 100% real.

In the run-up to the movie, Gordon-Levitt worked with the man himself, Philippe Petit, who trained him how to walk along a wire. Petit set up a workshop so that he had plenty of one-on-one time with the actor, and unbelievably, it took just eight days for Gordon-Levitt to learn how to walk the wire all by himself.

In addition, Petit also taught Gordon-Levitt some magic tricks - as well as how to juggle - but those skills aren't quite as impressive as being able to retain perfect balance while tiptoeing across a narrow cable.

Contributor
Contributor

WhoCulture Channel Manager/Doctor Who Editor at WhatCulture. Can confirm that bow ties are cool.