Natalie Portman and John Krasinski have shared their most unforgettable behind-the-scenes experiences while filming with Guy Ritchie’s directing style in Fountain of Youth, now streaming on Apple TV+. The actors, playing estranged siblings Charlotte and Luke Purdue, opened up about surviving intense car stunts and facing an action-packed adventure through Ritchie’s rapid-fire scripts, promising viewers a high-energy ride and hinting at future sequels.
Chaotic High-Speed Stunts Left the Stars Thrilled and Anxious
When asked about their wildest moment filming Fountain of Youth, Krasinski and Portman both immediately recalled a nerve-wracking car chase through the streets of London—a sequence that left them genuinely afraid for their safety. The planning behind the blockbuster’s biggest action set pieces may have been thorough, but the actual filming tested the limits of both actors. Their on-screen sibling dynamic added to the unpredictability, especially when chaos erupted during the stunt.
“For me, the most fun I had doing it was, I mean, I gotta say the day that we were in that car flying around at what seemed like 50 miles an hour,”
Krasinski tells Collider.
“It was very, very fast. I don’t think either Natalie or I knew exactly how fast we were going to go, and so it was kind of like being on one of those thrill rides that people do, that when you see them, you go, ‘I would never do that.’”
—John Krasinski, Actor
The actor, known for his roles in The Office and Jack Ryan, admitted that neither he nor Portman fully grasped how wild the experience would be until they were caught up in the moment. They screamed through the chase, exhilarated and frightened simultaneously, and never really had a choice but to go along for the ride, making it one of their most memorable filmmaking experiences.
Guy Ritchie’s Distinctive Dialogue Brought a New Challenge
While the car chase delivered physical thrills, Portman noted that Guy Ritchie’s directing style in Fountain of Youth pushed her to embrace an entirely different challenge: navigating Ritchie’s signature, rapid-fire dialogue. The action-adventure film set her and Krasinski’s characters on a globe-trotting quest, and every destination posed new obstacles—not just in the stunts, but in every word spoken.
Portman described the fun and the hurdles of carrying out pages of snappy, high-energy exchanges—Ritchie’s hallmark. She especially appreciated the precision that Ritchie brought to each line, noting that, for her, the rhythm of dialogue seemed just as important as the action sequences.
“I loved all of it, honestly. It was really wild. We were in so many incredible places. I loved, actually, a lot of the dialogue scenes that would get really wordy in that Guy Ritchie way. He would be super specific about the rhythms,”
she smiles. That signature rhythm, though, came with its own unique set of challenges.
“Sometimes he’d put together word combinations that felt like tongue twisters, and it was a very fun and funny challenge,”
Portman adds. For an Oscar-winning actor best known for prestige dramas and character-driven indies, getting to spar with Ritchie’s quick-wit banter was a whole new muscle she nailed.
This marked the first collaboration between Portman, Krasinski, and Ritchie, making the process both daunting and thrilling, especially when scenes demanded quick thinking and verbal dexterity from the cast. Eiza Gonzalez, who joined them in the Lusitania sequence, helped create a memorable combination of action and wit, showcasing the strengths of Ritchie’s approach.
Unanswered Questions Set Up a Sequel Adventure
Fountain of Youth blends the treasure-hunting spirit of National Treasure and Indiana Jones while adding the director’s trademark humor and bravado. The film’s ending, though packed with thrills, left viewers with a crucial mystery: what happened to Luke and Charlotte’s dad? Throughout the story, conversations about their missing father—who never appears—suggest hidden secrets still to be explored. Domhnall Gleeson portrayed billionaire antagonist Owen Carver, who meets his end in pursuit of the fabled fountain, but the fate of the Purdue patriarch lingers.
Discussing the possibility of their father being alive and in hiding, Krasinski lit up at the idea, and both actors playfully hinted that there was plenty of room for more stories surrounding their characters’ family history and adventures. The film leaves the audience guessing, fueling speculation and enthusiasm about the direction of a potential sequel.
While Krasinski has experience carrying a character across many story arcs, both he and Portman have their own wish lists for where the next adventure should unfold. Krasinski suggested Japan as a possible setting for future mysteries, while Portman mentioned Senegal, Colombia, and Korea as dream destinations—hoping for a global journey that matches the excitement and unpredictability of their first outing together.
The Anticipation for Future Installments Runs High
With Fountain of Youth now streaming on Apple TV+, fans are eager for more fast-paced puzzles, daring chases, and sibling squabbles in exotic settings. The creative energy from Guy Ritchie’s directing style in Fountain of Youth has given new life to action-comedy and adventure on streaming platforms. The chemistry between John Krasinski, playing Luke Purdue, and Natalie Portman, as Charlotte Purdue, combined with standout moments from co-stars like Eiza Gonzalez and Domhnall Gleeson, positions the film as a likely launchpad for a major franchise.
The cast’s enthusiasm for further globe-spanning escapades only heightens speculation. As audiences linger on the mystery surrounding the Purdue family and the hinted promise of new quests, anticipation continues to build. Whether in Japan, Colombia, Senegal, or somewhere entirely unexpected, fans can look forward to more unforgettable moments—possibly, if Portman has her way, involving zip lines and even bigger thrills—as Guy Ritchie’s distinctive touch reshapes the landscape of modern action adventure.
