Brooke Shields reveals that the controversial film “The Blue Lagoon” would never be shot today

Brooke Shields hopes that young stars today are spared experiences like those in “The Blue Lagoon.”

The iconic actress starred in the shipwreck film at the age of 14 alongside then 18-year-old Christopher Atkins. The duo played two cousins ​​who become lovers and consummate their relationship after their boat is shipwrecked in the South Pacific. Both Shields and Atkins appeared nude in the controversial 1980 film.

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“Never again will a movie like this be made,” Shields said during her “Now What?” podcast on iHeartRadio. “It would not be allowed.”

Atkins agreed, adding: “Oh God, no. Animals were hurt in the film. We speared fish and did all kinds of crazy things. Kids running naked on the beach; you couldn't do that today.”

Although Shields and Atkins were encouraged by production (and Shields' mother) to pursue a romantic relationship off-screen, the two agreed that the large age difference made the pressure uncomfortable.

“They wanted us so desperately to fall in love,” Shields said. “I didn't respond well to being forced into feelings. At that age, I had never even kissed anyone.”

Shields recalled being told to tan completely naked next to Atkins, with only a makeshift wall between them (via Buzzfeed News).

“You were right next to me, and that was even weirder because you were only 14 at the time,” Atkins said, before continuing, “There were scenes where I was stark naked with you, if you remember, us going down the slide and stuff like that. And that was a little embarrassing, but kind of funny to me because I would have just done it at that point. But your reaction was, 'Ugh, oh God.'”

Shields said, “We were never quite lured in. When we got there, they immediately wanted us to tan. Remember, they set up these little straw areas so we could tan without getting tan lines.”

She continued, “We wore little strips of fabric and my hair was glued to my body to cover my breasts, which were very minimal anyway. I don't know what I was trying to cover with them. Remember the nubby pads? They glued these little flesh-colored things to my nipples, because apparently 'nipples' was the limit they drew in this film.”

Shields had a double for her character's sex scenes, but Atkins did not. A rat infestation and ulcerated wounds during production meant that The Blue Lagoon was far less glamorous than an island vacation.

“We were like the Wild West, but it happened to be on the water,” Shields summed up. “And I remember getting pneumonia. In the birth scene, when I'm supposed to have the baby, I can't breathe uncontrollably and I get a coughing fit, and everyone goes, 'What a great acting choice!' I go, 'I can't breathe!'”

Directed by Randal Kleiser, The Blue Lagoon marked Shields' breakthrough and the start of her modeling and acting career. The sequel, Return to the Blue Lagoon, was made in 1991 without Shields or Atkins.

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