Frédérique Dufort has undergone an intense physical transformation, completing a month-long regimen of daily running and strength training to star as a ninja in an upcoming Quebec feature film scheduled for release in 2027.
The Bottom Line
- The Role: Frédérique Dufort stepped completely outside her casting comfort zone, trading her usual casting for physical stunts in a Quebec ninja movie slated for 2027.
- The Training: Partnering with stunt expert Olivier Lunardi, she maintained a grueling six-day-a-week schedule involving at least 7 kilometers of daily running and heavy weightlifting.
- The Mindset: Eschewing the bathroom scale entirely, Dufort focused strictly on functional strength, combat choreography, and redefining body image narratives for her young children.
Stepping Off the Dramatic Sidelines Into Stunt Combat
When the opportunity arose to audition for a character that defied her conventional casting path, Frédérique Dufort didn’t hesitate. The role demanded a radical physical overhaul and the execution of her own action sequences. To bridge the gap between traditional acting and physical performance, Dufort teamed up with stunt expert Olivier Lunardi, whose credits include major American series like Supernatural. Over the course of a demanding month, the production preparation required an entirely new physical discipline and a high-protein nutritional regimen.
Here is the kicker: the transformation was never about dropping pounds. Dufort deliberately avoided stepping on a scale throughout the entire preparation process. Instead, the metric for success was pure utility and endurance.
“Plus tu es en forme, plus cela facile de faire les cascades. C’est intimidant et fou à la fois quand ton corps devient ainsi ton allié. C’est le fun de faire cela avec un enjeu de travail,” Dufort noted, reflecting on the empowering yet demanding nature of her preparation, which included managing a couple of minor training injuries with rest and ice.
The Brutal Math of Cinematic Action Prep
Building a screen-ready martial artist requires more than just a passing familiarity with choreography. Dufort’s daily routine pushed well past standard gym hours, anchoring her schedule with a strict running mandate before touching a single weight. But the physical toll was only half the battle; the psychological hurdle of simulated combat proved equally challenging.
| Training Metric | Dufort’s Regimen |
|---|---|
| Weekly Frequency | 6 days per week |
| Cardio Baseline | Minimum 7 kilometers daily |
| Key Partner | Stunt expert Olivier Lunardi |
| Target Release | 2027 (Quebec feature film) |
Beyond the stamina required for 7-kilometer daily runs and rigorous resistance training, the actress had to reprogram her natural instincts. “J’ai appris à donner et à recevoir des coups. Apprendre à frapper est un exercice difficile quand tu as beaucoup d’empathie. Ma plus grande peur n’était pas d’avoir mal, mais de faire mal à quelqu’un. J’ai une admiration totale et complète pour les cascadeurs,” she explained.
Redefining Representation for the Next Generation
For Dufort, who navigated personal struggles with body image during her adolescence, championing strength over thinness serves a broader educational purpose for her family. Raising children aged 5 and 6 brings daily opportunities to model resilience. By foregrounding athletic capability, she aims to reshape how young audiences perceive physical power in women.
“J’ai beaucoup d’amies qui s’entraînent et qui montrent qu’être une femme et être forte, c’est cool. Être une femme, c’est être forte : le corps, les menstruations, l’accouchement… Je le dis à mes garçons et ils disent maintenant : ‘Maman est forte, papa aussi.’ Ils savent qu’une maman peut être un ninja,” she shares.
Expanding Horizons in Quebec Cinema
This deep dive into martial arts and cinematic stunt work has fundamentally shifted Dufort’s creative ambitions. The experience has catalyzed a desire to seek out other women of character—both as a performer and as an autrice crafting future projects.
As the film moves toward its 2027 theatrical release, Dufort’s intense preparation highlights a desire to continue exploring the world of stunts and martial arts.
