Matthew Rhys Talks Saving Bradley Cooper's Life in Controversial Burnt Scene: ''It Was Genuine Panic''

“I like to think I saved his life," the actor tells Fox 5’s Good Day New York

By Bruna Nessif Oct 29, 2015 9:05 PMTags

Bradley Cooper took method acting to an extreme with his last movie.

The actor co-stars in the new film Burnt, alongside Matthew Rhys, which tells the story of troubled chef (Cooper) who tries to get his life back on track with the help of becoming a notable name in his craft. However, there are definite hardships along that journey, and Cooper's character gets to the point where he [SPOILER ALERT!] attempts suicide.

This controversial scene became a topic of discussion when Rhys, who plays a frenemy chef with the three-star Michelin rating and appears in the scene with Cooper, stopped by Fox 5's Good Day New York today to promote the movie, primarily because Bradley literally put his life in danger.

The Weinstein Company

In the scene, Bradley Cooper's character grabs a plastic bag and covers his head, almost actually suffocating himself in real life, until Rhys comes in and tears it open.

"There was no acting," Rhys tells co-hosts Rosanna Scotto and Greg Kelly. "I was required to do was tear the plastic bag from his face before he killed himself. So there was no acting required on my behalf, it was genuine panic. He's fearless in his improvisation."

When asked to confirm that he was actually scared Cooper was going to suffocate himself, the 40-year-old nodded his head and said, "Yes. He had a very tight plastic bag over his head and obviously I don't recommend it."

Cooper spoke of the scene himself during a press conference for the film in midtown Manhattan.

"It was late at night and we didn't have much time and the bag thing just sort of happened in one of the takes. It just feels vulnerable doing something like that in front of 12 people you don't know at all, but ultimately it was beautiful," he said (via Showbiz411), "because Matthew Rhys who plays Reece was just incredible. We didn't really know each other at all and next thing you know, he's caressing me and calmed me down. We're bonded forever.

"Matter of fact I haven't really seen him since and I look forward to seeing him tonight because we looked at each other after and we, why we both love doing what we do is to be able to really put yourself in imaginary circumstances and hope that accidents like putting an bag on your head and realizing you can kill yourself happen."

Watch: Daniel Bruhl Kisses and Tells on Bradley Cooper

Meanwhile, Daniel Brühl had a kissing scene with Cooper.