Pop Culture Unplugged had the chance to sit down with actor and stunt performer David MacInnis, who stars as Toby in the highly anticipated action sequel Nobody 2. The film, starring Bob Odenkirk and directed by Timo Tjahjanto, drops August 15th and promises to raise the stakes with even more intense action sequences.
Breaking Into Stunts Later in His Career
David revealed that his path to stunt work wasn’t a straight line. Though he had been acting since childhood and studied theater, he transitioned into stunts about five years ago. His martial arts background (primarily taekwondo, with training in aikido, wushu, kung fu, and boxing) and dance experience made him a natural fit.
“People think fighting makes you a good stunt performer, but it’s really aggressive choreography,” David explained. “Dance actually helps because you learn timing, repetition, and safety.”
Acting Meets Stunts
While David is first and foremost an actor, being a stunt performer adds a unique advantage in the audition room. Productions can save money by casting someone who can both act and handle their own stunts, making him a valuable asset. Still, he acknowledged that stunt work has a natural shelf life.
“At some point, you don’t want to be falling on concrete in your mid-50s,” he joked. “So acting will always be the focus.”
Landing the Role of Toby in Nobody 2
The opportunity to play Toby came through a mix of casting and stunt coordination. Winnipeg casting director Carmen Kotak brought him in, and stunt coordinator Rick Skeen put in a good word. As a local hire, MacInnis was the perfect fit.
Interestingly, the original script described Toby as “rotund,” but David brought his own spin to the role. Toby is a wannabe cop who works as a security guard at an arcade—a description David says “tells you everything you need to know about him.”
Working With Bob Odenkirk and Filming the Fight Scene
David’s big moment comes in a fight sequence early in the movie, one that sparks the chain of events for the rest of the film. He praised both director Timo Tjahjanto and Odenkirk, who has been training for years to make the action look authentic.
One of the standout moments: David’s face gets smashed into a pinball machine, a stunt that required precision and careful choreography. “You can’t improvise in a fight scene. That’s when someone gets hurt,” he emphasized.
Biggest Challenge on Set
Even after more than 20 years in the business, David admitted the hardest part was keeping cool around Odenkirk.
“You see these people on TV, not in real life. There’s that ten-year-old movie fan inside me going, ‘Oh my God, I’m on set with Bob Odenkirk.’ But he’s such a generous actor, it makes it easier.”
Dream Projects and What’s Next
Looking ahead, David hopes to explore other genres, from horror to period dramas. He’d also love to land a long-running TV role for the stability and growth that comes with it.
When asked who else he’d like to face on screen, David lit up at the idea of working with Donnie Yen: “It would be really cool to just share the screen with one of the Hong Kong legends.”
Fans won’t have to wait long to see more from him. In addition to Nobody 2, he appears in Stephen King’s The Long Walk (directed by Francis Lawrence) and Roland Joffé’s November 1963.
Final Thoughts
David MacInnis brings both grit and humor to the role of Toby in Nobody 2, and his unique blend of acting and stunt skills make him one to watch. As he continues building an impressive resume across film and TV, audiences can expect even more memorable performances—and maybe a few more epic fight scenes.