Kiefer Sutherland sets the record straight on bullying allegations Stand by Me Sentence. During Thursday’s episode of The conversationThe 57-year-old actor was asked by co-host Natalie Morales to review a viral social media post that claimed he bullied the film’s young actors into staying in character off-camera.
The film is based on the 1982 novella by Stephen King. The bodyfollows four friends – played by Jerry O’Connell, Corey FeldmanWil Wheaton and River Phoenix – who set out to find the supposed location of a missing boy’s body in hopes of becoming local heroes in the summer of 1959.
“Absolutely not true,” Sutherland replied. “First of all, I’m not that kind of actor and I don’t want to be that kind of person. I spent a lot of time with River Phoenix because we both played guitar and that was kind of an introduction. Even though I was seven years older, we were both starting out, right? And so there was a lot of discussion about, “How do you develop a character?” and “What’s your process?”
“It’s actually very funny that at the age of 17… Stand by Me, I probably had a more profound process than I have now. But we didn’t manage to work together,” he said 24 Star said of O’Connell, who is also a co-host The conversation.
Sutherland actually expressed his disappointment at not working with his co-stars more on the 1986 classic. “I think one of the things that’s frustrating for me is when I think about it Stand by Me is that they always ask me what everyone else was like…We really only had that one big scene at the end where Wil Wheaton pulls the gun and I had to run away like a girl.”
O’Connell joked that he hadn’t realized how young Sutherland was during filming, admitting: “I felt like you were like 40… I just thought you were the most mature person.”
“Now I have to say that Kiefer didn’t bully us, there was no bullying. But Kiefer, I was so scared of you,” O’Connell confessed.
The 50-year-old presenter of the daily series previously responded to the viral X (formerly Twitter) postHe wrote: “Yes, but we can take him with us now. At any time. Anywhere.”
Sutherland notes that everyone has grown up significantly since their time in the film, recalling meeting O’Connell “about ten years after” they started working together. “Someone said, ‘Oh, you should say hello, this is Jerry O’Connell.’ And I said, “No, it’s not.” We said, “Hello,” and I gave you a big hug and then I walked away and looked at my friend and said, “Wow, he has a way better coach than me.”
After the interview, Sutherland shared a photo of him and O’Connell on Instagram with the sweet caption: “Visited with an old friend on @thetalkcbs this morning. @mrjerryoc…fantastic!”
O’Connell and Feldman reunited in 2021 Celebrate the film’s 35th anniversarywhere the duo spoke to ET about the lasting impact of the hit film.
“It’s like a badge of honor to have been there Stand by Me“O’Connell shared. “Because it’s not just a good film. It’s not like people just come up to me and say, “Hey, that movie was great!”… They usually stop me [and] They pull me aside and say, “Stand by Me meant so much not only to me, but also to my father and my children.’”
“It’s just one of them [things]it spans generations,” he added.
“It’s always an honor when people even remember your work, you know what I mean?” Feldman chimed in. “There’s so much out there, there’s so much great art, there’s so many great films, and I just feel honored and privileged to be a part of a film that people really appreciate and that people still hold in high regard .” “
During filming, O’Connell and Feldman developed a real friendship that continues to this day – and both actors reflected on how unique and special this type of experience really is.
“You can’t put a price on friends who last a long time [35] “I mean, the fact that anyone even wanted to talk to each other was a miracle, not to mention the fact that we actually call each other and talk to each other in private when we’re not celebrating anniversaries and get-togethers.”
“You and I will be friends forever, Corey,” O’Connell replied with a smile.
For all the young stars in the film, Stand by Me represented something special – and for O’Connell, it was his acting debut on the big screen, defining his career and, according to the star, his entire journey.
“It really changed my life being there Stand by Me,O’Connell mused. “They don’t even realize it back then.” You only realize it now when you talk about it 35 years later.
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