Olivia Munn is speaking out about an uncomfortable on-set moment that quickly escalated into a full production delay.
During a recent TV appearance, the actress shared how a scene meant to show her character stepping in during a dangerous situation turned into a tense standoff.
According to Munn, a male co-star refused to go along with the script simply because it involved her saving his character, forcing an unexpected pause in filming.
Olivia Munn Details Scene That Sparked On-Set Dispute
Olivia Munn opened up about the incident while appearing on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” explaining how the situation unfolded during filming.
According to her, the incident happened during an action-heavy scene where both characters were fighting off threats in a bunker.
“There have been a few times where I’ve been filming something, and my character was either like CIA, or a cop, or something, and there’s been scenes where my character has been the one to save the other character,” she explained per PEOPLE.
The 45-year-old went on to describe how the scene was written, noting, “If you read the script, it was that he was guarding his side, I was guarding my side, then we switch sides and then there’s a guy that was coming for him [who] was gonna shoot him in the back, so I shoot him.”
However, according to Munn, her co-star suddenly objected, appearing confused or unwilling to follow that part of the script.
Munn Says Costar Refused To Be Saved By A Woman
Olivia Munn recalled that her co-star abruptly stopped the scene and pushed back against the storyline.
She said he responded by saying, “‘Wait, wait, wait. Hold on. She can’t save me. No, no. She can’t save me.’ ”
Munn added that the reaction caught her off guard and suggested he may not have read the script properly beforehand.
The “Ride Along 2” star explained that the disagreement didn’t end quickly, revealing that filming was paused for a significant amount of time.
According to her, the moment led to “45 minutes of just stopping down,” as the issue was debated on set.
During that time, Munn described her co-star as becoming “combative with the director,” making it difficult for production to continue.
Olivia Munn Explains How She Resolved The Situation
Munn said she eventually stepped in to find a way to move things forward and keep filming on track.
She proposed a slight change to how the scene was explained, suggesting that instead of her character saving him directly, it could simply be a matter of switching positions at the right moment.
“I said, ‘OK, how about instead of my character saving you, it’s just that we switch because it’s time for us to switch, and so this is my guy to get,’” the movie star explained.
According to Munn, that explanation satisfied the actor, and he agreed to continue with the scene.
However, she pointed out that the actual action didn’t change at all. “Now, here’s the interesting thing. Nothing changed. It’s just what he thought. I was doing the exact same thing.”
The adjustment allowed filming to resume, even though the outcome remained exactly as originally written.
Munn Shares How She Navigates Sexism In Hollywood Roles
Olivia Munn also spoke about how moments like that have shaped her approach to choosing projects.
She explained that she has become more selective over time, especially when it comes to how female characters are written.
“I’ve looked at so many different scripts and a lot of times the women are portrayed in kind of a naggy way,” the “Predator” actress shared.
Because of that, she made a decision early in her career to focus on stronger roles. Munn told Barrymore that she looks for characters “where she would exist even if he didn’t exist,” making it clear she doesn’t want to be part of stories where women only exist to support male leads.
Munn is currently starring in Apple TV’s “Your Friends & Neighbors” alongside Jon Hamm and Amanda Peet.
In the series, she plays Sam Leavitt, a self-made woman navigating a wealthy social circle, while Hamm’s character deals with the fallout of losing his job and turning to risky behavior to maintain his lifestyle.
Olivia Munn Details Breast Cancer Journey After Unexpected Diagnosis
Amid her busy career, Munn has been through some tough times in her personal life.
A few days ago, the Hollywood star opened up about how her breast cancer diagnosis changed her outlook on life, saying she felt deeply grateful to still be here.
As The Blast reported, Munn reflected on the shock of being diagnosed despite having “no symptoms,” but emphasized how it shifted her perspective.
“I know that I am lucky to be here,” she said, calling it “a true privilege to be alive in the world.”
After undergoing multiple surgeries, including a double mastectomy, she said the journey made her more present and grateful for her family and everyday moments.
Now, she continues to speak openly about her experience, using her story to encourage awareness and remind others not to take life for granted.
