At a Glance
- Amanda Seyfried says Channing Tatum once urinated on her leg during filming without her noticing
- The incident happened on a beach set during the 2010 production of Dear John
- Seyfried prevented a makeup artist from accidentally drinking from the contaminated cup
- Why it matters: The story gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at the co-stars’ playful dynamic
On-set pranks are common in Hollywood, but Amanda Seyfried recently revealed one of Channing Tatum’s jokes during Dear John filming almost took a disturbing turn.
The actress told Deadline that she and Tatum engaged in a “prank war” throughout the 2010 romantic drama’s production, keeping the mood light while filming heavy emotional scenes.
The Beach Incident
According to Seyfried, the most memorable prank occurred during a beach shoot when Tatum urinated on her leg without her knowledge.
“He peed on my leg once, without me knowing. He peed on my leg on the beach, and I didn’t realize at first, and then I was like, ‘Oh, that’s why he’s standing so close to me,'” she recalled.
The situation escalated when a coffee cup sitting nearby became partially contaminated. Tatum fled the scene as Seyfried screamed upon realizing what had happened.
Quick Action Prevents Disaster
The prank nearly affected an unsuspecting crew member when a makeup artist picked up the contaminated cup.
“One of the makeup artists picked it up and was about to drink it, and I saved her,” Seyfried said.
Her quick intervention prevented what could have been an extremely unpleasant experience for the crew member.
Co-Star Chemistry
The prank war wasn’t one-sided. Seyfried emphasized that she “could keep up” with Tatum throughout filming, describing their dynamic as “super, super fun.”
“He and I effed with each other the entire movie in a super, super fun way. He’s very, very funny, and we had a great time,” she told Deadline.
This playful relationship extended beyond pranks. Seyfried has previously praised Tatum as her “favorite co-star thus far,” specifically citing their shared sense of humor as a key factor in their on-set chemistry.
Balancing Comedy With Drama
The co-stars needed this lighthearted approach while filming Dear John, which tells the story of soldier John Tyree (Tatum) and college student Savannah Curtis (Seyfried) who fall in love while he’s home on leave.
Based on Nicholas Sparks’ bestselling novel, the film required the actors to portray deep romantic connections and emotional turmoil, making their off-camera joking a way to maintain balance.
“We don’t take anything too seriously, but we’re shooting a movie that’s very heavy, all about love and romance. It’s a tear-jerker, so we just like to play around,” Seyfried explained in a 2015 E! News interview.
The Film’s Legacy
Dear John became a commercial success upon its February 2010 release, grossing over $115 million worldwide against a $25 million budget. The film’s popularity was partly attributed to the chemistry between its leads, which Seyfried’s recent revelations help explain.
The movie follows the couple’s relationship through John’s military deployments and their attempts to maintain their connection through letters, creating a narrative that required the actors to build authentic emotional bonds on screen.
Impact On Cast Relationships
The prank war and shared humor between Seyfried and Tatum appears to have strengthened their professional relationship. Both actors have spoken positively about working together in subsequent years, with Seyfried consistently ranking Tamong her favorite co-stars.
This type of on-set bonding through pranks and jokes is common in the entertainment industry, particularly on productions with intense emotional content like romantic dramas based on Nicholas Sparks novels.
Behind-The-Scenes Revelations
Seyfried’s recent interview with Deadline marks one of the first times she’s publicly detailed specific pranks from the Dear John set. Previous interviews had mentioned their playful dynamic, but the urination incident represents a new level of detail about their off-camera behavior.
The revelation provides fans with insight into how actors maintain levity during emotionally demanding productions, showing that even in tear-jerking romantic dramas, the filming process can include unexpected moments of humor.
Key Takeaways
- Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum engaged in continuous pranks while filming Dear John
- One prank involved Tatum urinating on Seyfried’s leg during a beach scene
- Seyfried prevented a crew member from drinking from a contaminated cup
- The actors’ humor helped balance the film’s heavy emotional content
- Their playful dynamic contributed to their on-screen chemistry in the romantic drama
