The Samaritan, the latest film from Prime Video starring Sylvester Stallone, gives superhero films a different twist as viewers follow a retired superhero who comes back into the fray thanks to a boy who discovers his true identity.

Shadow and Act talked to Javon “Wanna” Walton, who plays the boy in question, Sam Cleary, and Dascha Polanco, who plays Sam’s mother Tiffany. Walton, who has a background in gymnastics and boxing, said that his gymnastic training helped him with many of the stunts in the film.

“I was a gymnast for a very long time…at that time [of filming, the training] definitely did help me,” he said. “There were a lot of crazy stunts I had to do–jumping over stuff, climbing buildings, going through windows. There’s a bunch of crazy things. And even the rooftop scene with Sly…all of those things helped me.”

Polanco said that it was easy to get into the mode of playing Walton’s mother because of their shared qualities, such as being competitive. She also said that working with the rest of the cast, including Stallone and Pilou Asbæk, was great.

“It was quite easy, with [Walton], with Pilou, with Sly–[he’s a] very smart, generous actor, across the board and the ambiance the set was a fun place to work through it all, whether it was weather, whether it was stunts,” she said. “For me, it was the first of many and it prepared me for more.”

“Wanna is definitely a professional,” she said of Walton. “He made it very easy for me to [portray] his mom. He has his family supporting him and that was great to witness and be part of. I’m very proud of him to see how far he’s come and where he’s headed. Definitely important for us to make it memorable and a safe place and most important for me is to inspire and to keep inspiring.”

Watch the full interview above, which also Asbæk.

The Samaritan comes to Prime Video Aug. 26.

The Samaritan

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