The filming of Thor progressed rapidly. The scenes at the training grounds were nearly done!
Today, they moved to Jotunheim!
Home of the Frost Giants.
Grey mountains and blue screens were erected in the soundstage.
The ground was covered with special material to simulate slippery ice, and cooling fans whirred, creating biting cold.
Cassius, wearing Fandral's dashing but not exactly thick leather armor, felt goosebumps rising on his arms.
"All departments ready! Actors to your marks!"
The assistant director shouted through a megaphone.
This scene depicted Thor leading his squad of four—Lady Sif and the Warriors Three—sneaking into Jotunheim and clashing with the Frost Giants.
Cassius's Fandral needed to display the dashing and efficient combat skills of an Asgardian warrior in this chaotic battle.
The stunt coordinator confirmed the blocking with Cassius and the stunt actors playing the Frost Giants one last time.
The stunt actors wore motion capture suits to facilitate the CGI later.
"Cass, remember, Fandral's fighting style is elegant and deadly, like dancing."
"Your main opponent is this big guy!"
Mike pointed to a stunt actor nearly two meters tall.
"He'll lunge at you. You sidestep, use the momentum of his miss to strike the side of his knee with the pommel of your sword, then flip behind him..."
Mike demonstrated as he spoke.
As he fluidly executed the sidestep and flip, a blue attribute orb dropped.
[Fluid Movement +3]
Cassius absorbed it immediately!
His brain instantly had a clearer muscle memory rehearsal of dodging and countering using an opponent's momentum.
"Got it!"
Cassius nodded, rotated his wrists, and gripped the prop sword tighter.
The sword was custom-made, lighter than a real one, but required skill to swing with apparent force.
"Action!"
The camera focused on their area.
The stunt actor playing the Frost Giant let out a low roar, his massive body rushing towards Cassius with a whoosh, a giant palm slapping down.
Cassius's eyes narrowed.
He didn't meet it head-on. As if his feet were on rollers, he executed a light and swift sidestep, precisely clearing the centerline of the lunge.
The Frost Giant's thick arm swept past his chest.
Just as the opponent's force was spent and before new force could generate, Cassius flicked his wrist. The sword pommel struck out like a viper, precisely hitting the simulated weak point on the side of the Frost Giant's knee.
Thud!
A dull sound.
The Frost Giant actor let out a pained roar on cue, stumbling.
Using the recoil from the strike, Cassius executed a fluid cartwheel like an agile cat, landing steadily behind and to the side of the Frost Giant. The entire process was smooth as flowing water, carrying a free-spirited elegance.
"Good! Keep it up!"
Director Branagh whispered behind the monitor.
Another actor playing a regular Frost Giant soldier rushed from the side according to the script, swinging a fist at Cassius.
Cassius had just finished his flip and seemed too late to fully dodge.
But his on-the-spot reaction was incredibly fast.
Instead of retreating in panic, he smoothly passed the sword to his left hand. His right elbow thrust backward as if anticipating the move, perfectly parrying most of the punch's force.
Simultaneously, the sword in his left hand pointed at the opponent's throat at a tricky angle.
This parry-and-strike combo wasn't in the original choreography, but the effect was surprisingly good. It showed Fandral's adaptability without deviating from his agile fighting style.
The stunt actor whose punch was parried froze for a split second, then reacted, cooperating by acting subdued.
In that moment of distraction, a green attribute orb [Improvised Reaction +2] dropped and was quickly absorbed by Cassius.
"Cut! Perfect!"
Director Branagh's voice was excited.
"Cass, that elbow strike and hand switch were amazing! Perfect improvisation!"
Cassius sheathed his sword and smiled.
He could feel that the series of movements just now not only absorbed attributes but also took his body control and grasp of combat rhythm to a higher level.
"Very good! That's exactly the feeling! That's how Fandral should fight!"
Director Branagh spared no praise.
Filming continued.
Next was a more complex multi-person melee shot.
Thor wielded Mjolnir with heavy, powerful strikes!
Lady Sif was fierce and decisive, while Volstagg and Hogun leaned towards brute strength.
And Cassius's Fandral weaved among them like a golden flash of lightning. His movements were swift and precise; every sword thrust and dodge carried a unique aesthetic.
Just then!
The actor playing Hogun slipped while retreating, his movement slightly distorted.
According to the blocking, he should have perfectly avoided Cassius's next sweeping move, but now he was about to collide with him.
Cassius reacted extremely fast, abruptly halting his planned sweep.
With a subtle upward flick of his wrist, the sword tip grazed past the opponent's armpit. At the same time, his own body rotated slightly using the force of this redirection.
Not only did he avoid the collision, but he also parried an attack from another Frost Giant nearby.
This save was seamless, as if it had been designed that way all along.
"Cut! Good! Very good!"
Director Branagh yelled cut again. He looked at Cassius, appreciation practically spilling from his eyes.
"Cass, you're a treasure! That save just now was so professional!"
The actor who almost messed up looked at Cassius gratefully, a green attribute orb [Gratitude +2] floating over his head.
Cassius absorbed it silently, hiding his merit.
In the subsequent filming, Cassius continued to harvest attribute orbs.
When he precisely completed a difficult roll followed by a rising thrust, a blue [Core Control +3] self-generated from his body, which he quickly absorbed.
And when his eyes conveyed Fandral's solemnity and resolve facing a strong enemy, a green [Resolute Gaze +2] dropped!
He even absorbed a purple rare attribute [Combat Aura +5] from Chris when he perfectly executed a cross-positioning tactical maneuver with him!
After a day of shooting, instead of feeling tired, Cassius was full of energy.
The experience bars for [Body Language] and [Aura] in his attribute panel rose visibly, and other attributes also increased significantly due to constant absorption!
At wrap, Director Branagh walked over specifically to pat Cassius on the shoulder.
"Cass, your performance today was phenomenal. I'm starting to look forward to seeing Fandral on the big screen."
Cassius smiled and exchanged pleasantries with the director. Just as he was about to leave, he heard someone calling him from behind!
"Hey! Cass!"
He turned around to see Chris Hemsworth.
He had changed out of Thor's iconic armor and red cape into a simple T-shirt and cargo pants. His short blonde hair was still a bit damp, looking like a tall, handsome Australian boy next door.
In his hand, he carried the famous Mjolnir.