Gwyneth Paltrow Turned Down a Sex Scene with Ethan Hawke in ‘Great Expectations’ – Here’s Why

Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed why she refused to film a s** scene with Ethan Hawke in the 1998 movie Great Expectations.

In a video for Vanity Fair, released on December 17, the actors reflected on their time working together nearly 30 years ago in the film adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel.

According to Paltrow and Hawke, director Alfonso Cuarón suggested a love scene in which Paltrow’s character would receive o*** s** from Hawke’s character. Paltrow explained why she said no. “I was like, ‘Oh, my God, my father’s going to have a heart attack,’ “ she recalled.

Hawke added details about how Cuarón described the scene. “‘The camera is going to go down your belly, and then it’s going to go up your b******, and then it’s going to go in your face as you reach ecstasy. And then when you reach ecstasy, the light will explode like to the sun!'” he said. “And I remember looking at Gwyneth, and Gwyneth is like, ‘Alfonso, I’m never going to do that,'” he continued, as Paltrow laughed.

Paltrow admitted she felt self-conscious about her family seeing the scene early in her career. “It really bothered me,” she said, “Now, I wouldn’t care.” Hawke praised her handling of the situation, saying she was firm without being “petulant.” “You had an awareness of the way that the business works, and the ways in which those kinds of images could be manipulated and what it meant to your dad,” he added.

Reflecting on the decision, Paltrow said, “Maybe I was too prudish in the moment,” to which Hawke replied, “I don’t think you were.” “I was definitely worried about it,” she admitted.

In Great Expectations, Paltrow played Estella, while Hawke starred as Finnegan “Finn” Bell, a young man who falls for her. The romantic drama was set in New York and written by Mitch Glazer.

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