Channing Tatum opens up about filming an awkward nude scene with Sandra Bullock in The Lost City. The actor shares how the moment turned into a hilarious and unforgettable “fever dream.”
Channing Tatum Gets Real About His Nude Scene with Sandra Bullock
Being a Hollywood star might sound glamorous, but filming a nude scene is far from easy — just ask Channing Tatum.
During his recent appearance on Hot Ones, the Magic Mike actor talked about his unforgettable experience filming an awkward — and hilarious — nude scene with Sandra Bullock in their 2022 adventure comedy, The Lost City.
Tatum revealed that he found out he’d have to strip down on just the second day of filming, calling the experience a “fever dream.”
“Second day on set!” he said with a laugh. “I had to walk onto set and say, ‘Hi everyone, my name’s Chan. You’re all going to see me naked today. Nice to meet you!’”
The Infamous “Leech Scene”
Fans of The Lost City will remember the scene where Sandra Bullock’s character helps remove leeches from Tatum’s character’s body — including his bare backside.
Bullock once joked about the experience on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, saying she was “fully there, face to face with the landscape.”
“I had to spend some time down there making sure no leeches,” she laughed. “When you’re there, you may as well get to know it!”
Host Sean Evans asked Tatum if it was true that the scene took 50 takes because they couldn’t stop laughing.
“It wasn’t 50, but it was a lot,” Tatum admitted. “It was weirdly the second day of filming. I knew Sandy — our kids go to the same preschool — so it was just surreal.”
He added jokingly, “The weirdest part was her having to deliver a whole monologue while picking fake leeches off my butt. It was like a fever dream.”
Comfort and Trust on Set
The film’s director, Adam Nee, reportedly needed Tatum to be “completely naked,” wearing only a small sock to cover the front.
Bullock later shared that there was no awkwardness on set because of their mutual trust and professionalism.
“You’d think it would be weird,” she said, “but Chan was so chill about it. He dropped everything — literally — and made it easy.”
The two stars had already known each other before filming since their daughters, Everly (Tatum’s) and Laila (Bullock’s), attended the same preschool. While the girls didn’t get along at first, both actors confirmed they’ve since become close friends.
A “Fever Dream” That Became a Friendship
Looking back, Tatum still laughs about how bizarre it was to film such an intimate scene so early in production.
“It’s a hell of a day two,” he said. “Honestly, it still feels like a fever dream to explain it.”
Despite the awkward start, both stars walked away from The Lost City not just with a hit movie — but with a lasting friendship built on humor, respect, and a whole lot of leeches.