September 10th 2024.
Gemma Arterton, who gained fame as a Bond Girl in the movie Quantum of Solace back in 2008, recently opened up about a difficult experience she had on set. In an interview with Radio Times, the 38-year-old actress shared how she was pressured by a director to do a sex scene that was not originally in the script.
According to Arterton, she was taken aback when the director suddenly told her that she would have to engage in a sex scene on the bed. This was not in the original script and was meant to happen off-screen. As a professional, Arterton immediately voiced her concerns and made it clear that she would not be comfortable filming the scene.
She explained, "I remember being on set once and the director said, 'You're going to s**g on the bed.' I'd never have accepted the role if it was going to be filmed." Despite her objections, the director insisted on the change, even though the other actor involved was also uncomfortable with it. Arterton revealed that there were important people present on set, which made the situation even more difficult.
However, Arterton stood her ground and refused to film the scene. Looking back, she acknowledged that her confidence to push back came with age and experience. She stated, "I said, 'You can't do that, I'm flat out not doing it. I don't care if you think I'm difficult,' but I only felt like I could say that because I was older."
The actress also reflected on how much the industry has changed since then, with the introduction of intimacy coordinators on set. These professionals act as a bridge between actors and directors, making sure that all intimate scenes are handled with respect and consent. Arterton noted, "It's a totally different landscape now. Anything you're not comfortable with is not going to happen."
While Arterton did have a steamy on-screen moment with Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace, she admitted that such scenes never truly resonated with her as an artist. She shared, "When I started acting, there was a lot of nudity. You were just expected to do it. It didn't fulfill me, it wasn't fun. It didn't feel like I was flexing my acting muscles."
This situation brought attention to the long-standing issue of questionable representation of women in the James Bond franchise. Arterton's experience serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done in the industry to ensure a safe and respectful working environment for all actors.
Looking back, Arterton acknowledged that it would have been much harder for her to stand up for herself earlier in her career. She stated, "It would have been really hard [to say no] when I was younger. You might get the sack, or get a terrible reputation." But now, with the support of intimacy coordinators and a stronger sense of self, she was able to assert herself and refuse to do something that made her uncomfortable.
As a final message, Arterton encouraged others in the industry to speak up and share their stories. She said, "If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures, get in touch with the entertainment team. We'd love to hear from you." The industry is changing for the better, and it's important for voices to be heard in order to continue this progress.
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