Jennifer Garner reveals she bit off part of stuntman’s ear in 2007 film fight
During a recent panel discussion, actress Jennifer Garner revealed a startling incident from the set of the 2007 film “The Kingdom.” Garner recounted biting actor and stuntman Sala Baker, resulting in a chunk of his ear being bitten off during an intentionally unchoreographed fight scene.
A Director’s Directive
The incident stemmed from a direction given by director Pete Berg. Garner explained that Berg instructed Baker to attack her with minimal pre-planning, telling him to “try to kill me.” He then instructed Garner to do whatever was necessary to survive the encounter.
Instinct Takes Over
Garner described how she ended up scrambling onto Baker’s back during the scene. Her reaction, she stated, was purely instinctive. “I bit his ear, and we have a picture of him missing a chunk of ear, because we were not kidding,” she said.
Reunion and Recollection
The revelation came during a panel for Garner’s Apple TV+ series “The Last Thing He Told Me,” where she was reunited with Baker, who appears in the show’s second season. The crew reportedly expressed concern for Garner’s safety when filming resumed, prompting her to assert she was prepared to reciprocate the intensity of the previous encounter.
A Surprised Reaction
Co-star Nicolaj Coster-Waldau reacted with disbelief upon hearing the story, questioning Garner and expressing his surprise to the audience. His reaction highlighted the unexpected nature of the on-set incident.
Garner playfully compared the incident to the 1997 Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield ear-biting incident, jokingly warning the audience to avoid provoking her.
Frequently Asked Questions
What film was Jennifer Garner discussing this incident from?
Jennifer Garner was discussing an incident that occurred while filming the 2007 film “The Kingdom.”
Who was the actor involved in the incident with Jennifer Garner?
The actor involved in the incident with Jennifer Garner was Sala Baker.
What was the director’s instruction to the actors during the scene?
Director Pete Berg instructed Sala Baker to attack Jennifer Garner and told her to do anything she could to survive.
Given the intensity of this on-set experience, how do you think actors balance the pursuit of realism with the need for safety during physically demanding roles?