“Splice” Director Fought to Keep Shocking Adrien Brody Sex Scene That Was 'a Deal-Breaker for a Lot of People'

Director Vincenzo Natali reflected on the sci-fi film 'Splice' 15 years after its release

Director Vincenzo Natali was adamant in keeping the sex scene between Adrien Brody and the main creature part of Splice’s final cut.

Reflecting on the movie 15 years later, the filmmaker, 55, told IndieWire he knew the shocking scene would be polarizing for audiences.

Splice was supposed to come out in 1999 but due to several issues it was delayed until 2009. “Primarily, it was the fact Adrien Brody’s character has sex with the creature,” the director told the outlet. “That was a deal-breaker for a lot of people.”

However, he fought to keep the scene in the movie. Natali noted that his contract stipulated that the sex scene could not be cut. He was “so fearful” that it would be, even after the movie’s completion.

“It was the raison d’etre of the movie to me; not just because it’s sensational but because I felt like if we’re going to tell a 21st-century retelling of Frankenstein, we need to push it into the 21st century,” he said.

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“This was a story about life and birth — and sex was always going to be part of that equation. To dance around it would’ve been cowardly. That’s what excited me.”

In the 2009 sci-fi film, Clive (Brody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley) are two scientists who experiment with genetic engineering to find health care and medical breakthroughs. They mix the DNA of humans and animals and create Dren (portrayed by Delphine Chanéac), who evolves into an adult in a matter of months.

Clive and Elsa then face the consequences of their ethically-questionable experiment once Dren becomes increasingly mature.

Related: Adrien Brody Defends 'Blonde' from Backlash: 'It Is Supposed to Be a Traumatic Experience'

When Splice finally hit the big screens, audiences and critics found it polarizing. “Half were disgusted by it, and invariably, the sex scene would always get a laugh from the audience — but I took that as a compliment,” Natali told IndieWire.

“I think people were so uncomfortable that it was a way of releasing tension. Almost no one knew what to make of it. I don’t think people were prepared for what the film was.”

Brody, 51, previously spoke about the shocking scene in 2010, telling MTV News it was “a new level.” The actor said the “level of madness and disturbing elements” were what interested him.

"It's disturbing, but at the same time there's something very exciting about it. The science-fiction elements of this movie ... we're there, almost, technologically and scientifically,” he added at the time. “I think that adds a [disturbing] element that this could happen."

Splice is currently streaming on Max and available on demand.

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