Olivia Wilde still remembers the unusual way Jeff Bridges prepared himself for emotional scenes on Tron: Legacy.
During Entertainment Weekly’s “Lie Vs. Lie” video series, Wilde told Seth Rogen that Bridges had a physical trick on set while they were making the 2010 sci-fi sequel. Entertainment Weekly reported that Wilde said Bridges would gag before dramatic takes to help himself get emotional.
The story came up when Rogen asked Wilde to name the strangest thing she had ever seen another actor do on set. Wilde, who played Quorra in Tron: Legacy, answered with a memory from working opposite Bridges, who returned as Kevin Flynn.
The point of the segment was for her and Rogen to trade stories and guess whether each one was true or false.
Wilde Said Bridges Used Gagging as an Emotional Trigger
“Jeff Bridges had a thing on Tron that he would do this thing that he would, like, gag to be emotional,” Wilde said in the EW video. She then imitated the retching noises Bridges would make before a scene.
Rogen reacted by lowering his head and laughing. He immediately guessed that the story was true.
Wilde confirmed it was real and said it was “very hard not to laugh” when Bridges prepared that way before a take. She acted out trying to hold her composure while he was getting himself into the scene.
The Memory Came From Tron: Legacy
Tron: Legacy was released in 2010 as a sequel to Disney’s 1982 film Tron. Wilde played Quorra, while Bridges reprised his role as Kevin Flynn.
The film was directed by Joseph Kosinski, who later directed Top Gun: Maverick and F1. Entertainment Weekly noted that the cast also included Garrett Hedlund, Beau Garrett, Michael Sheen and Bruce Boxleitner.
Rogen and Wilde Were Playing EW’s “Lie Vs. Lie”
The “Lie Vs. Lie” format asked Wilde and Rogen to guess whether the other person was telling a real story or making one up. Rogen believed Wilde’s Bridges story almost immediately.
Wilde also shared a second story from earlier in her career, this time from the 2006 horror movie Turistas. She said she nearly drowned while filming an underwater scene because her character was supposed to be drowning, and the crew initially thought she was acting.
According to EW, Wilde said the cameraman eventually dropped the camera to grab her. She also said the take stayed in the movie because it was the only one they had.
Wilde and Rogen Are Promoting The Invite
The EW video is tied to Wilde and Rogen’s press run for The Invite. A24 lists Wilde as the film’s director and one of its stars, alongside Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton.
The film follows Joe and Angela, a married couple whose relationship is under strain when they invite their upstairs neighbors over for a dinner party. Rogen plays Joe, while Wilde plays Angela.
EW reported that The Invite is in theaters now.