Steven Soderbergh
Steven Soderbergh has heaped praise on his new leading lady Gina Carano.
The filmmaker cast the mixed martial arts star in his latest project Haywire - and despite having limited acting experience she has impressed him.
Speaking to The Independent Soderbergh said: "She's awesome, she's the real deal.
"When Channing Tatum saw Haywire, at the end of the film he said, 'I can't tell you how satisfying it is to watch a woman beat men up'.
"And she really does it. It's not like there are any tricks. She's a cage fighter; she's really something."
And Carino may be a newcomer but she is surrounded by a very experience cast that includes Tatum, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor and Michael Douglas.
Haywire comes hot on the heels of the success of Contagion in the autumn of last year.
Haywire is released 20th January.
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