Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Hugh Grant says film sets are ‘weird’ and ‘sad’ these days

‘Dungeons & Dragons’ star said that in the ‘old days’, co-stars would be ‘falling in love with each other’ by the end of the second week

Ellie Harrison
Wednesday 29 March 2023 10:03 BST
Comments
Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Hugh Grant has discussed how the atmosphere on film sets has changed considerably since he was starting out, because of the presence of mobile phones in people’s lives.

During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday night (27 March), the Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves star said he feels that film sets are “weird” because people aren’t as close as they used to be.

“You know, in the old days, by the end of the second week, you were all getting drunk in the evening and having dinner and falling in love with each other and all that,” he told Colbert.

“And all that stopped because of telephones. Really everyone goes home and looks at Twitter. It’s so sad.”

Colbert then suggested: “So, if there weren’t telephones on set, there’d be more affairs going on?”

“Yeah, I think so,” Grant replied. “You know, [Quentin] Tarantino bans telephones from sets and quite right too, and the people there, they do all shag each other – or so I’m told.”

Grant also joked that he’s done so many squats during sword fighting for the new film that it’s given him an “incredible ass”.

The actor is actually known for joking about his up-and-down relationships with many of his female co-stars. In a 2009 interview with Elle, when he was asked to describe the women he’d worked with in three words, he replied: “Andie MacDowell: southern belle, charming, gorgeous. Emma Thompson: clever, funny, mad as a chair. Renée Zellweger: delightful, also far from sane, very good kisser.

“Sandra Bullock: a genius, a German, too many dogs. Julianne Moore: brilliant actress, loathes me. Rachel Weisz: clever, beautiful., despises me. Drew Barrymore: made her cry, stunning film-star face, hates me.”

Grant hugging dans at the ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ premiere
Grant hugging dans at the ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ premiere (Getty Images for eOne)

Speaking this week on her TV show, Barrymore said: “You think you’re getting this charming movie star, and what you really get is grumpy Hugh,” she said. “And then you fall in love with grumpy Hugh.”

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Earlier this month, the 62-year-old British actor had gone viral for his responses during an Oscars red carpet interview with model Ashley Graham.

Grant’s blunt responses sparked debate on Twitter, with many fans calling the interview “one of the most awkward interactions” ever. Read more here.

In Dungeons & Dragons, Grant plays the villainous Forge Fitzwilliam, a rogue and conman, and a former member of the thieves.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is out in UK cinemas on Friday 31 March.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in