Director Reveals Cut Kissing Scenes in ‘Back in Action’

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Director Seth Gordon revealed that several passionate kissing scenes between Glenn Close and Jamie Demetriou were cut from the final version of the action-comedy film “Back in Action,” now streaming on Netflix. The film, which stars Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, and Glenn Close, features a mix of high-octane action and comedic moments, including a surprising romantic subplot.

“They were ravenous,” Gordon told Entertainment Weekly, laughing about Close and Demetriou’s on-screen chemistry. “There was only one scripted kiss, but they were all over each other — so much that I had to cut out some of ’em. It was like, whoa. But they were perfect for each other.”

In the film, Close plays Ginny, a retired MI6 operative and estranged mother to Diaz’s character, Emily. Demetriou portrays Nigel, Ginny’s much younger, bumbling lover who dreams of becoming a spy. Their relationship, marked by frequent public displays of affection, becomes a source of comedic tension for Emily and her family.

Gordon emphasized that Demetriou was his first and only choice for the role of Nigel. “I wrote that role for Jamie and Jamie alone, having also loved him in ‘Fleabag,'” he said. “The minute they got near each other, it was like fireworks. They were just so good together.”

The director also shared how Diaz, who came out of retirement for the film, was a last-minute addition to the cast. “They said to me, ‘Would you possibly be open to the idea of Cameron?’ And I was like, ‘What? Are you kidding me? Of course,'” Gordon recalled. “She wasn’t someone that I thought I was allowed to consider as a possibility because of her retirement. It was too good to be true.”

“Back in Action” follows Emily and her husband Matt (played by Foxx) as they navigate a dangerous mission involving a former colleague turned adversary. The film blends action, humor, and family dynamics, with Close and Demetriou’s relationship providing a standout comedic element.

Gordon praised the ensemble cast, saying, “We got lucky all over the board, really, on this movie.” He also highlighted the personal connection Diaz had to her character, noting that the story resonated with her own life experiences, including her decision to return to acting after retirement and her role as a mother.

“Back in Action” is now available for streaming on Netflix.