Michael Douglas, 79, Bemoans Lack Of Sex Scenes In Films, Blames The Use Of ‘Intimacy Coordinators’

Actor Michael Douglas, known for his roles in iconic films such as Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction and Disclosure, recently commented on the recent decrease in on-screen sex scenes. 

Douglas, 79, expressed his thoughts on the matter in an interview with the U.K.’s Radio Times and highlighted the emergence of intimacy coordinators in the film industry.

“I’m past the age where I’ve got to worry about that,” Douglas said. “But it’s interesting with all the intimacy coordinators. It feels like executives taking control away from filmmakers — but there have been some terrible faux pas and harassment.”

Douglas shared his personal philosophy on intimate scenes on film: “Sex scenes are like fight scenes; it’s all choreographed. In my experience, you take responsibility as the man to make sure the woman is comfortable. You talk it through. You say, ‘Okay, I’m gonna touch you here if that’s all right.’ It’s very slow but looks like it’s happening organically, which is hopefully what good acting looks like.”

Intimacy coordinators work closely with actors before filming intimate scenes to ensure all parties feel comfortable and safe.

Actor Ewan McGregor also emphasized the importance of intimacy coordinators in a recent interview. He said that they found it necessary to use an intimacy coordinator when filming intimate scenes with his real-life wife, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, for their TV series A Gentleman in Moscow. McGregor highlighted that the presence of an intimacy coordinator benefits not only the actors but also the entire crew. The vulnerability of such intimate moments in front of a camera can be an uncomfortable experience, and the coordinator helps create a safe and professional environment.

Many actors have discussed their discomfort after filming intimate scenes and shed light on the significance of proper protocols. For example, Sharon Stone, Douglas’s co-star in Basic Instinct, revealed in her memoir that she felt tricked into filming a scene where she removed her underwear. More recently, Zendaya praised the assistance provided by an intimacy coordinator in producing her provocative film Challengers.