Guy Ritchie is no stranger to making bold decisions on set, and his latest film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a prime example of his unpredictable directorial style. The 2024 World War II espionage film, a follow-up to Ritchie’s The Covenant (2023), features Henry Cavill as a British commando leading an elite team behind enemy lines to disrupt Nazi operations. While Cavill’s performance as Gus March-Phillipps is at the center of the film, it’s Eiza González’s portrayal of Marjorie Stewart, a real-life British actress turned Special Operations Executive agent, that adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story.

One of the most memorable moments in the film, however, didn’t come from weeks of rehearsals or planned scenes—it came from a spur-of-the-moment decision made by Ritchie himself. During a recent appearance on Hot Ones, González revealed the story behind a key scene in which her character sings the iconic song “Mack the Knife.” Ritchie, ever the risk-taker, suddenly decided that the scene would work better if the song were sung in German instead of English—just minutes before filming was set to begin.

“I’m like, ‘What do you mean? We’re filming in 10 minutes,’” González recalled. “He said, ‘Yeah, you can do this. Hazel can help you.’” Hazel, her on-set dialect coach, immediately jumped into action, assisting González as she tried to quickly learn the German lyrics. To add to the pressure, German actor Til Schweiger, who played the villainous Heinrich Luhr, was also on hand to help her get the pronunciation just right.

In an impressive display of adaptability and trust in Ritchie’s vision, González was able to pull it off. “In 10 minutes, I was singing ‘Mack the Knife’ in German,” she said. “I trusted him, and he really made it look like I knew what I was doing, but I really in real-life didn’t.” The resulting scene, which showcases González’s quick thinking and Ritchie’s bold direction, adds a layer of authenticity to her character’s involvement in the covert operations of World War II.

This impromptu challenge is a testament to González’s versatility as an actor, and it’s moments like these that helped her land major roles, including her upcoming starring role in Netflix’s highly anticipated 3 Body Problem TV series. In The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, she stands out as a vital part of the ensemble cast, which also includes Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Cary Elwes, and Hero Fiennes Tiffin. While the film may not be widely hailed as Ritchie’s best work, it has certainly earned praise for its mix of action, star power, and Ritchie’s signature sensibilities.

For González, this experience of learning German in a matter of minutes is just another chapter in her impressive career, demonstrating her ability to rise to any challenge—no matter how unexpected. Her performance in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare has been recognized by critics, further solidifying her place in Hollywood as an adaptable and dynamic actress.

The film itself is a compelling addition to Ritchie’s catalog, blending high-stakes World War II action with intriguing character arcs. While Cavill’s Gus takes center stage, González’s Marjorie adds significant depth to the narrative, showing the human side of the war effort and the courage required to fight behind enemy lines.

As The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare hits theaters, the story of how González learned German in mere minutes serves as a perfect reflection of the unpredictability and excitement that both Ritchie and his actors bring to the screen. It’s a reminder that in Ritchie’s world, nothing is ever truly planned—and sometimes, that’s when the best moments happen.