On the recent episode of The Graham Norton Show, Ewan McGregor gave viewers an inside look into the world of filming sex scenes and shared some hilarious anecdotes. As a seasoned actor, McGregor admitted that while he understands the necessity of such scenes, he finds them quite tricky and not particularly enjoyable.
McGregor explained that sex scenes can be awkward and uncomfortable. He highlighted the bizarre nature of filming intimate moments, where actors have to portray passion and desire in an artificial setting. “It’s not a normal situation to be going, ‘Hello, I’m you, and I’ll be having sex with you’,” McGregor humorously remarked.
One aspect that makes McGregor uncomfortable is the age difference between him and the actresses. As he gets older, the actresses cast opposite him seem to get younger and younger. McGregor admitted that he worries about being taken advantage of in these situations, adding another layer of complexity to filming intimate scenes.
However, McGregor pointed out that not all sex scenes are created equal. He emphasized that some films, like “Young Adam” or “The Pillow Book,” use sex scenes to enhance character development and advance the plot. In these cases, McGregor finds such scenes to be meaningful and essential to the storytelling process.
On the other hand, McGregor finds gratuitous, Hollywood-style sex scenes to be embarrassing and unnecessary. He described them as glisteny and sweaty, lacking substance and purpose. McGregor’s candid commentary sheds light on the inner workings of the film industry, exposing the sometimes awkward and uncomfortable nature of on-screen intimacy.
As the conversation continued, McGregor shared a memorable experience he had during a sex scene with Christian Bale on the film set of “Velvet Goldmine.” The scene was set on a rooftop in King’s Cross, London. McGregor and Bale were filming a wide shot, and the director, Todd H, hadn’t communicated the exact moment of action. The scene started slowly, with McGregor partially imitating Batman. To his surprise, the scene went on, and McGregor became unsure if he had missed his cue. In a comical turn of events, McGregor even jokingly requested a “reach around.” Eventually, he realized that the crew had discreetly packed up, leaving him and Bale unaware that filming had stopped.
Despite the hilarity of the situation, McGregor confessed that nobody spoke about it afterward. It seemed the crew wanted to leave the embarrassing incident behind them and let the actors continue their work without any further embarrassment.
Ewan McGregor‘s insights into the world of filming sex scenes provided a captivating and humorous glimpse into the behind-the-scenes realities of the entertainment industry. With his wit and candor, McGregor’s observations add an additional layer of intrigue to the already popular talk show, The Graham Norton Show.
