“This is a disaster to any actor out there”: Madame Web Star Sydney Sweeney Couldn’t Handle the Bite of a Real Huntsman Spider in New Movie
Sydney Sweeney’s revelation about being bitten by a huntsman spider while filming her new rom-com Anyone But You has become the stuff of Hollywood legend. But her co-star Glen Powell sheds new light on the arachnid attack, revealing Sweeney was actually encouraged to provoke the spider. In a new interview, Powell explains how the fateful incident went down on set. Sweeney was tasked with shaking the spider to make it look real on camera. But agitating a live huntsman spider had painful consequences.
How Did Sydney Sweeney Get Bitten?
As per Entertainment Weekly, according to Glen Powell, when the giant spider was first brought out, it remained motionless on Sweeney’s hand. To make the scene look authentic, she was told to jostle the spider.
“So she’s having to do this insert shot where she’s shaking this spider and agitating it,” Powell recalled. “And I was like, ‘Why are we agitating this real huntsman spider?'”
The instruction to rile up the arachnid would prove to be an epic blunder. Sweeney’s screams of terror initially seemed like dedicated acting. But Powell realized something was wrong when her shrieks intensified.
“Sydney still has marks on her wrist from that huntsman spider,” he confirmed. “That was a legitimately scary moment for her on that set.”
While using real spiders may have added authenticity, clearly it jeopardized the cast’s safety. In the age of CGI, was it really necessary to put Sweeney in harm’s way?
Sydney Sweeney is reportedly still shaken from the bite months later. The haunting memory may impact her comfort level with insects on future sets.
Sydney Sweeney Soldiers On Despite Bite
To her credit, Sweeney persisted through the painful bite to finish filming the scene. But Powell said her blood-curdling screams were no act.
“I’m supposed to be screaming, but then my screaming got a little serious. They thought I was making really serious dramatic choices in a rom-com,” Sweeney told Jimmy Fallon.
The tearful actress had to convince the oblivious crew something was wrong. Powell realized what was happening, but Sweeney stayed in character despite her anguish.
Will The Incident Impact Sydney Sweeney’s Career?
While Sweeney has rebounded, her spider bite may make her more cautious when filming creature sequences going forward.
The Emmy nominee already endures grueling stunts on Euphoria. Adding arachnid anxiety to her list of on-set concerns could influence her choice of future roles.
But Sweeney has proven she’s a consummate professional who will endure a lot for the perfect take. She may emerge from Anyone But You stronger and more vigilant when acting alongside wildlife.
