During an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, actor Will Ferrell shared a memorable moment that showcased the star quality of Nicole Kidman while they were filming the beloved movie, Bewitched. As he promoted his latest film, You’re Cordially Invited, Ferrell discussed the filming experience that took place two decades ago, recalling his time on set along with Colbert, who served as a writer and played the character Stu Robison.
Colbert reminisced about a particular “meet-cute” moment between Ferrell’s character, Darrin, and Kidman’s Samantha. It was during this scene that both men noticed the undeniable spark that sparked the realization of Kidman’s movie star status. “When the scene started and when Nora [Ephron] said, ‘Action,’ we saw why Nicole Kidman was a movie star,” Colbert said, emphasizing how she seemed to transform into the “most alluring and beautiful woman” at that moment.
Ferrell confirmed this sentiment, stating they were all caught up in a “fever of desire” for Kidman’s character, making it hard to focus on anything else. They shared a surreal experience of just trying to process what had happened on set. Colbert recalled Ferrell’s astonished reaction, “What the just fuck just happened out there?” highlighting the overwhelming feelings they experienced.
Reflecting on their emotions, Colbert recalled Ferrell’s confession about being unable to remember his lines because he was so captivated by Kidman’s presence. Ferrell humorously added that it felt like they had come under the spell of an “alien being” who reassured them that “everything’s going to be OK.”
Despite their wonderful memories and the stellar performances they witnessed, Bewitched didn’t fare well with critics, currently holding a dismal 23 percent freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Ferrell made light of this by joking that whenever Nicole Kidman discusses her illustrious career, she lists Bewitched as her top pick. This playful exchange underlines the complex nature of filmmaking where moments of brilliance can sometimes be overshadowed by critical reception.