Teresa Palmer in demand lately: from appearing on the TV show The Clearing to now starring in The Fall Guy alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, it's safe to say she's having a moment.
"It was such a whirlwind! I taped an audition, and 24 hours later, I was signing a contract and jumping on a plane the following day back to Australia to shoot. It was all very last minute and just so incredibly exciting. David [Leitch], our director, was so warm and welcoming as was Ryan and the whole stunt team who I worked very closely with," the actress, 38, exclusively tells Morning Honey of filming The Fall Guy. "It was very surreal. It all happened so fast. I immediately had to jump into navigating logistics. I remember feeling nervous and excited all at once."
The movie, which releases on Friday, May 3, is about a scarred stuntman (played by Gosling) who gets back into the industry when he takes over for an actor that disappears.
"Ryan is a hoot! He’s so much fun to work with and such a collaborator. He takes the work seriously — but not himself — so there were lots of laughs as we pieced together the scenes. He was incredibly encouraging as I ad libbed and found the character. We were throwing all sorts of things at the scenes. He was a wonderful partner throughout the work and made me feel so welcome and apart of the team," Palmer, who plays Iggy Starr, shares. "Iggy is wild and free, stuck up and very narcissistic. She’s also playful and unpredictable. I can’t tell you how liberating it was to be able to try anything in the comedic space. I’ve done so much dramatic work so it was very nice to change that up."
In order to get into character, Palmer "listened to a lot of female rap and watched a bunch of similar characters on TikTok" to act like Iggy. "I always laughed at her absurdity," she quips.
Additionally, it didn't hurt to work alongside Gosling, 43, and Blunt, 41. "They were just wonderful scene partners, and we had lots of giggles together. They the kinds of leaders on set that everyone aspires to be — humble, generous with their time, they both have a great work ethic and they’re lighthearted and easy-going," she notes of her costars. "They’re both incredibly gracious movie stars who exude warmth and kindness."
Palmer is booked and busy, as she has a few projects coming up, including The Last Anniversary, Addition and others. "I love, love, love shooting in Australia. I keep returning to shoot there. The familiarity of the crew is so heartwarming. For TLA, the author of the book is Liane Moriarty who I am the biggest fan of. I totally called this opportunity in because I’ve read all of her books and loved Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers," she gushes. "Addition is a story about a woman navigating a romantic relationship in the midst of juggling her debilitating mental health condition. Despite its subject matter it’s lighthearted, beautiful and super romantic."
When Palmer isn't acting, she is enjoying spending time with her five kiddos, whom she shares with husband Mark Webber. "Being a mom is the light of my life, it’s my compass — and anything outside of that is just such a bonus. Having babies as my focus has shifted things tremendously and actually loosening the grip on my career has opened up even more exciting opportunities. It’s also cracked me open emotionally and I am able to reach places that I hadn’t previously," she shares. "I just always want my children to feel empowered to be who they are. To recognize that the things that make them unique are amazing. That any hardships we face are opportunities for growth."
"They’re just such beautiful compassionate kids. They’re really living mindfully and each have such unique personalities but lead with their hearts forward. It’s just the greatest joy being their mom. I also have to say that personally having a bunch of kids and still being able to fulfill my passion of being in the film industry makes me proud. I love that my two dreams can co-exist, I’ve just always had the belief that I could do both things and I’m glad I can show my children that dreams work," she continues of her crew.
Over the years, Palmer has "tried all genres and loves switching things up," which is why she will likely continue to do so in order to for her to strengthen her resume and acting skills. "I enjoy jumping around to different genres because it keeps things exciting and allows me to explore different facets of storytelling. Each genre offers its own unique opportunities for creativity and expression, and I love the diversity it brings to my work," she says.
Clearly, the world is Palmer's oyster. "I want to expand the travel we do for my podcast "The Mother Daze." Currently, we are on the road doing in-person events. I also want to do some travel documenting and service travel with my family; we are very inspired by the Bucket List Family. I also look forward to continuing work with my supplements company Lovewell, as well as branching into producing," she adds.
In five to 10 years, Palmer wants to "live consciously."
"Vegan homesteading on land, surrounded by kids and animals, I hope I have another two to three kids — twins would be nice! I’d love to be producing films and TV shows, starring in some, not in others. Getting paid to travel the world with my family, being involved with acts of service, living between Adelaide, Byron and Hawaii and hitting the road with my best friends speaking about our podcasts. Lots of big dreams! Excited to see them come to fruition but bottom line is healthy, happy, thriving loved ones is what really matters," she concludes.
The Fall Guy premieres on Friday, May 3.