Jamie Bell admits it was a daunting prospect to shoot sex scenes with Hollywood legend Annette Bening.
The 31-year-old actor stars alongside the multi-time Oscar nominee in the movie ‘Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool’, in which Bening portrays real life actress Gloria Grahame who meets the unknown actor Peter Turner (Bell) in 1978 leading to the two starting a vibrant love affair despite their age difference.
Bell and Bening, 59, discussed exactly what each other would be comfortable with when it came to the lovemaking scenes, but the British star admits all he could think about was that he was going to have to act out sex with a Hollywood legend.
Speaking to the Daily Mail newspaper, Bell said: "’There are intimate moments, and we each discussed, ‘What are you comfortable with?’ We talked, and there was never a version where we’d disagree. There had to be a solidarity between us, otherwise it becomes uncomfortable. And I was already intimidated – and very daunted – before filming started. So I’m glad that side of it was sorted. This is Annette Bening! She’s a titan when it comes to acting."
The film is based on Turner’s memoirs about his affair with the B-Movie actress and Bening revealed he was very part of the filmmaking process.
She said: "Peter has very much been a part of making the movie. He is a very beautiful man and when you meet him you completely understand why Gloria fell in love with him.
"She had a very difficult life. She was here doing theatre because she couldn’t really get any other jobs so she is one of those people that, after the 1950s, she couldn’t find work.
"Barbara Broccoli, one of our producers, was friends with Peter and she knew him when he was with Gloria so this was a long-time coming and I talked with Barbara about making the movie years ago. It means a lot to Peter. It was a very complicated period of his life and he was very much involved in any moment."
Bell’s consideration for his co-star was appreciated by Bening as she recently admitted she felt "safe" and "supported" working alongside the ‘Billy Elliott" star – who is married to Kate Mara.
‘The Kids Are All Right’ star – who is married to Warren Beatty – said: "I felt safe with him and you become so close when you work on something like this. I felt very supported by him and I hope he felt the same way. He’s a real professional, maybe because he started when he was young. He’s a great guy and he’s just a very solid guy and he really helped me. He was a doll. I loved it."
Jamie Bell’s nervous sex scenes with Annette Bening
