Wade Eastwood: Second Unit Director and Stunt Co-ordinator
Wade Eastwood’s passion has always been cars and motorcycles ever since he was a child. He started racing in his early 40s despite wanting to as a child, as growing up in South Africa left him without the resources or the push from his family. So, in his 40s he began racing Formula 3 in England, stringing back-to-back wins at Silverstone and other tracks across the country in Formula 3 and GT races.
When Eastwood did a motorcycle trip across America, down to Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize he was told that he needed to be careful in certain areas.
“I grew up in South Africa so I'm quite used to having an edge to where I go and where I can and can't go. So, I wasn't afraid. And I think when you're riding a motorcycle, you are treated completely differently out on the road to when you're driving a car. The locals treat you differently in every country I've ever been to. Riding across the Americas, I never felt anything but support. They really embrace people on two wheels. I had an amazing adventure riding 35,000 miles down to Guatemala and back up to Los Angeles with my wife, which was great.”
“…you open that front door, and it doesn't matter what the weather is doing, you're not sitting in your warm car with your cup of coffee or tea. You're out in the elements and you're feeling every bit of wind and turbulence from trucks, and you've got to have a certain mindset to do this day in, day out. In a car it is a little bit like watching a movie, whereas riding a motorcycle is like being in a movie.”
Film by RedEye
Wade Eastwood on using motorcycles and cars in film: Eastwood has always loved the mechanics and the physicality of riding motorcycles and working with Triumph motorcycles.
“Triumph is a super family-oriented brand. Even though they're a massive commercial brand today, they still have that real family feel. They’ve always supported me through my long-time friend Kieran Clarke, who introduced me to the brand. It's a brand that I will always use and a brand I ride every day in my non-work life as well and enjoy riding.”
“With motorcycles, Triumph has always been so aggressive with their Speed Triples and their naked motorcycles. No matter where you shoot it from, it looks like you're in an action sequence; even with the motorcycle standing still...”
Photography by RedEye
“I try to incorporate my passions into my film life. Obviously, the Mission Impossible franchises are well known for their car and motorcycle chases, and likewise in Bonds and other films that I've been involved in. We look to secure good looking brands, good looking vehicles, good looking motorcycles, but more importantly motorcycle vehicles that can perform heart stopping stunts without breaking down. We also need motorcycles and cars that can really help the rider, or the driver do well. We want to make it easy for the actor. We don't always have years and years to teach them. We have weeks or months.”
In Mission: Impossible 5 - Rogue Nation, there was a big motorcycle sequence, chasing Tom Cruise.
“I got introduced to Kieran Clarke and I used a whole bunch of other stunt riders and legends that I know in the business. Jimmy Roberts, Jenny Tinmouth, Rick English, etc and did this amazing sequence in Morocco. I think we really sort of took it to the next level, did everything for real, everything was on camera. Rick English did a massive high side for me down a mountain road, which is in the poster. Kieran Clarke did the big crash down the dual carriageway in the red and black jacket. We had David Knight and Freddie Sheene there. It was an incredible sequence and great to be a part of.”
Eastwood’s Experience with Triumph Motorcycles:
“I've loved the Triumph brand since I was a kid. My father was a fan of the Triumph brand; hence I've used Triumph in many of the films I've done way back to even Terminator 3.
I use Triumphs in a lot of the films that I'm a part of, not just for aesthetic look, but also for rideability. I chose the Triumph Bonneville for the Terminator 3 crash. I wanted the low centre of gravity for the crash and just how cool the motorcycle suited the character, the young guy riding it."
Photography by RedEye
Eastwood’s Custom Triumph Thruxton:
Triumph were kind enough to work with Kieran Clarke in collaboration to create an incredible custom motorcycle that they presented to me at Silverstone at the end of a car race that I was doing there. It was a massive surprise. It's a one of a kind custom Thruxton. It's absolutely incredible, the detailed workmanship on it. Celebrating over 10 years of our working relationship together. It had certain detailing on the motorcycle that was very specific to my relationship with Kieran Clarke and the detailing on the very first Mission: Impossible movie we did together.
The custom built, by KCX Motorcycles, Triumph Thruxton RS was a gift from Kieran Clarke to Wade Eastwood in celebration of them working together for nine years in the Eastwood Action Stunt Team and three Mission: Impossible projects together - 5, 6, 7 & 8.
The inspiration for the motorcycle’s aesthetic takes racing hero inspiration from Ayrton Senna together with Mission: Impossible detail from Kieran’s breakout role in Mission: Impossible 5. The signature ‘Mission fuse’ and Eastwood Action Stunt Team logo on each side of the tank make a stylish and unique addition to the motorcycle’s finish.
The build is complemented with Triumph accessories, plus:
- Fender removal and LED lights / tail tidy
- Billet levers by Triumph
- Hand built in billet titanium Pro Bolt race fixings
- Bespoke one-of-one titanium exhaust system
- Ktech and Showa custom race suspension
- Upgraded discs and pads with Dunlop shod with Grand Prix slicks
- Race chainwheels, gearing ratio and chain
- Custom seat with ribbed and pin detail matching paint
- Oversize one-of-one custom radiator with Samco race hoses
Photography by RedEye
KCX Motorcycles
A progressive design and engineering company creating limited edition, exotic vehicles and state-of-the-art technical solutions for Hollywood feature films and Grand-Prix Racing.
Kieran Clarke
Kieran is a former British Motocross Champion and Super motorcycle World championship motorcycle road racer who now works in the movie industry as a highly skilled professional stunt performer/vehicle specialist, camera tracking motorcycle rider, motorcycle coach and technical consultant.
