Olivia Munn recently discussed a challenging situation with a director on the set of The Newsroom that nearly had repercussions for her future projects.
During an appearance on Dax Shepherd’s Armchair Expert podcast, Munn described a scenario where a male director persistently asked her to portray her character, Sloan Smith, in a manner she believed was inconsistent with her role. This happened during her involvement in the production of the HBO series.
Munn explained, “There was this plot thread involving my character and Tom Sadoski’s character where they start a romantic relationship. The director was insistent on me being the only one pushing this narrative. He would say things like, ‘Can you gaze at him and smile?’ when I was in the middle of something else, or ‘Can you cuddle up to him, flirt a bit, or maybe give him a kiss?’ even when it didn’t fit the moment.”
The actress from Your Friends & Neighbors later discovered that this same director had been tarnishing her reputation by claiming she was difficult to work with.
Munn recounted a particular instance when she was almost cast in a film: “I was just about to land a movie role when my manager called to inform me that although I was likely to be selected, another director had mentioned that I used to arrive late and was difficult during The Newsroom. That wasn’t true; I lived only seven minutes away from the set and was punctual. I knew immediately who was behind these comments.”
She added, “He was out to discredit me. I instructed my representatives to clarify this with the filmmakers, and fortunately, I still secured the role. However, the experience left a lasting impression on me about how conflicts over creative approaches can lead someone to attempt sabotaging another’s career.”
Munn has been vocal about issues of misconduct on set previously, including her 2017 accusation against director Brett Ratner for sexual harassment and disclosing in 2018 that director Shane Black had cast his friend, a registered sex offender, in a scene with her in Predators without her prior knowledge, which she reported to 20th Century Fox.
In a February 2025 interview on Monica Lewinsky’s Reclaiming podcast, Munn shared her experience of declining a multi-million dollar offer from a studio to sign a non-disclosure agreement following a “traumatic” event on set. “Walking away felt empowering,” she said. “I didn’t stop to consider any negotiations; I was driven by my respect for myself. What mattered was that those close to me supported my decision and were proud of how I handled the situation, even though it was initially motivated by anger. It was a learning curve in managing my emotions constructively,” Munn reflected.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
