In 2017, Aaron Sorkin was on a media tour promoting his directorial debut Molly’s Game, where he recounted a fascinating anecdote to USA Today about one of his first jobs as the screenwriter for Malice. However, Sorkin was forced to write an intimate scene involving Nicole Kidman.
Sorkin mentioned that Harold Becker specifically asked him to pen a “sensuous” love scene for Nicole Kidman. During the early stages of his career, Sorkin recalled working on a movie that didn’t turn out as he had hoped. The film, which included Alec Baldwin and Nicole Kidman, encountered complications. Sorkin explained that the director, just before shooting commenced, insisted on including a passionate scene between Baldwin and Kidman.
Aaron Sorkin Refused To Write An Explicit S*x Scene
To incorporate the requested scene, the writer appended an additional four pages to the already completed screenplay. However, he approached the sequence in his typical Sorkin style, infusing the dialogue between Nicole Kidman and Alec Baldwin with his characteristic banter, leading to the characters eventually ending up in bed. Sorkin’s focus was on building the tension leading to the act rather than the act itself, but Becker insisted on an explicit s*x scene.
Aaron Sorkin recounted that during a conversation, he was advised to contemplate what he envisioned for Nicole Kidman’s role, reflecting on his limited writing experience up to that point, which mostly included the script for A Few Good Men.
Sorkin told USA Today:
“I said, ‘Are you out of your mind?’ First of all, I just did a movie with her husband [Tom Cruise]. And second of all, no, I’m not going to write down what I’d like to see Nicole do and then hand the pages out to the crew and Nicole.”
As Aaron Sorkin narrated the incident, Jessica Chastain was seated beside him, expressing her reaction as “It’s so disturbing.” Subsequently, Sorkin opted to distance himself from the situation.
Richard Grant Bashed Nicole Kidman After His Oscar Nomination
In an interview with The Guardian, Richard Grant contemplated his Oscar nomination for the film Can You Ever Forgive Me? and noted the discernible shift in the way people treated him. Despite having been previously overlooked by some of his peers, Grant emphasized how the single nomination altered the dynamics of those around him.
During the interview, Richard Grant openly singled out a specific actress, directing his harshest criticism towards none other than Nicole Kidman. The Loki star subtly rebuked Kidman for revealing her true nature, citing a noticeable shift in her demeanor following his Oscar nomination. Grant asserted that Kidman had even transformed into his closest confidante.
Grant told The Guardian:
“She swans elegantly towards me, saying: ‘I hope you win every award coming your way, cos you’re heartbreaking and brilliant.’ No denying the sea change from her polite greeting at Telluride [film festival] eight weeks ago, before she’d seen the movie. Feels like being given temporary membership of the elite Fame Club.”
Speaking frankly about his views on celebrity culture, Richard Grant subsequently acknowledged that he had never experienced any consequences due to Elizabeth Taylor’s famous quote.
