Hollywood stars Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon shared the screen in the 1998 film Wild Things, and the director of the film has shared that the movie nearly featured an intimate scene between the two. John McNaughton has also shared that he was also surprised with the unexpected twist. However, it never happened as one of the actors refused to film the scene.
While he did not reveal who really declined to participate in the scene, The Flamingo Kid star shared during an interview that he was relieved after the scene was scrapped from the film.
Matt Dillon Breathed a Sigh of Relief After His Intimate Scene Was Scrapped
Released in 1998, Wild Things is known for its steamy scenes and crazy plot twists. However, the film was unable to include one such sequence involving Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon. During an interview with Yahoo News, the director shared,
“In the original version of the scene, Matt walks into his bathroom to take a shower and there’s Kevin. They were supposed to look each other up and down and then wham — go at it.”
The director did not specify which among Dillon and Bacon declined to participate. However, The Outsiders star has said that he was at ease after it was canceled. “I was relieved when they got rid of that scene,” Dillon said during an interview with Total Film.
Dillon also said that the Footloose star “seemed pretty attached to it” as he playfully added that he wondered why his co-star was “so eager to do the gay scene?” McNaughton shared that although he loved such surprising elements in a movie, he ultimately proceeded with what he had at hand.
Robert Downey Jr. Almost Starred in Wild Things
Before Matt Dillon landed the role of Sam Lombardo, Robert Downey Jr. was offered the part in the 1998 film. During his interview, the filmmaker also shared that they met with him, and it was almost a “done deal” before it all fell apart.
“We’d met with him and everything; it was a done deal,” John McNaughton recalled. However, the Iron Man star was still struggling with substance abuse, and the studio raised concerns about casting him in the movie. He shared that Downey Jr. had a sponsor at the time, who had significant control over his movements.
Additionally, there was also an issue surrounding the insurance cost to cover the actor. While McNaughton offered to be ready to work on the complications, he couldn’t finalize a meeting, and the studio decided to go ahead with the Singles actor. However, he claimed that Matt Dillon also turned out to be a good choice for the role.
Wild Things is available to rent and buy on Prime Video.
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