Scott Eastwood puts the bull in riding lesson
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — The Longest Ride star Scott Eastwood passes along one big truth to Paste BN while giving this reporter personal bull-riding training: Watching human riders fly through the air makes for great entertainment.
It doesn't matter whether it's a mechanical or real bull.
"It's always fun to see someone get launched," says Eastwood with a grin, before stepping away from a motorized beast at the Saddle Ranch Chop House.
The 29-year-old actor, son of Hollywood tough guy Clint Eastwood, learned this in filming the adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel, in which he plays professional bull rider Luke Collins.
He shot scenes for The Longest Ride (opening Friday) sitting atop the legendary (and since deceased) Rango the Bull.
"I got up close and personal," says Eastwood of Rango. "We had an agreement at the end: I don't mess with you. And you don't mess with me."
But when the gates opened to film the actual bucking bull, stunt doubles were taking the rides and the falls. Understandably nervous, producers and studio heads didn't want their leading man to actually continue the tango with Rango.
"That's fair enough, there was a lot of money on the line," says Eastwood. "They didn't want me to get hurt. Stunt people got hurt on set. It was the real deal. But I figured if I was making a movie about bull riding, I had to do it for real, too."
The adrenaline junkie circled back to cross bull riding off his bucket list in March, long after filming was complete. Eastwood's bull instructor did insist that he wear a dorky protective helmet when he climbed on the 1,800-pound bull called Number 7.
"He didn't want to be the one who (messed) me up," says Eastwood of his trainer. "I was like, 'Come on, man. I want a good picture for my wall.' "
Eastwood learned that he needed to formulate a quick exit strategy during his brief time in the air. After being thrown from Number 7, that came naturally to him.
"I was just thinking, 'I hope he wouldn't stomp on my face,' " Eastwood says. "I knew, I've just got to roll and get the (heck) out. I just had to keep on moving."
Death by stomping isn't an issue on the mechanical bull. But Eastwood makes clear he wants nothing to do with being thrown again. And his mocking laughter, along with the smirks from a smattering of amused employees, are pretty hurtful on a frail male ego.
Here's another truth learned during the brief ride: As you fly through the air from a mechanical bull throw, you can hear the sound of other people laughing.
Eastwood's assessment of this reporter's chances of making it on the Professional Bull Riders circuit like his Longest Ride character?
"Not a chance in hell," he says. "But you did a good job."