Olivia Wilde described a surprising on-set moment when co-star Penelope Cruz spontaneously improvised a kiss scene during the filming of their upcoming movie, "The Invite." Wilde, who also directs the film, shared that the impromptu kiss left her momentarily stunned.
"I was so shocked when she did it, that I actually turned my head and looked directly into the lens," Wilde recounted on Jessie Ware's "Table Manners" podcast. "And then through my camera operator, who said 'Olivia,' and I said, 'Namaste!' for some reason."
Wilde explained that her mind went blank during the unexpected moment, and she felt she had "lost control" but was also "madly in love with it." She attributed her reaction to being profoundly struck by the spontaneous act.
"The Invite" centers on two couples who gather for a dinner party, with the evening escalating into unexpected circumstances. The film, which Wilde directs and stars in, explores themes of relationships and communication, particularly concerning intimacy. It is based on the Spanish film "The People Upstairs."
Wilde initially had reservations about acting in "The Invite," expressing a stronger focus on her directorial role. "I didn't want to star in it. I didn't want to be in it… I just wanted to nail the direction," she said. However, co-stars Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Cruz encouraged her to take on an acting part.
Wilde, who also directed "Booksmart" and "Don't Worry Darling," reflected on her confidence in directing versus acting. "I weirdly had, like, I think imposter syndrome about acting in it, but for some reason not about directing. I don't know, I think at this point I feel like a much better director than actor."
The film has received critical attention, with descriptions like "perversely funny" and a "sophisticated farce."
Wilde also addressed lingering rumors from her previous directorial project, "Don't Worry Darling." She denied claims of a "screaming match" on set and expressed regret over being advised by the studio not to publicly address the speculation surrounding that film's production and its stars. "I was told, 'Don't say a f king word. Just go out there and smile,'" Wilde recalled. "I resent that, but it taught me it's not the way I want to handle things."