UPDATE: 6PM PST 9/30/2015
HBO has denied that the racy casting call for Westworld originated from the network.
“The document that the background actors were given was created by an outside extras casting vendor,” said HBO in a statement. “It was not requested, written or approved by HBO, Warner Bros. Television, or the producers, and contains situations that we do not require of any actor. We are rectifying immediately the discrepancies in this vendor’s document with our actual on-set practices, which provide a professional and comfortable working environment for all performers.”
That said, the casting agency taking the blame for this is Central Casting, one of the largest extras casting agencies in Hollywood, which isn’t prone to making major mistakes like this. A SAG-AFTRA representative was reportedly on set today for the scenes in question in order to ensure that no union rules were violated.
The original story remains below.
Nudity and sex scenes are no stranger to HBO’s original programming. The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, Girls, and many other shows from the network have used those scenes to differentiate HBO from other networks. But the upcoming adaptation of Westworld appears to move the goalposts even further towards adult territory.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, extras on Westworld have been informed that upcoming scenes may require them “to perform genital-to-genital touching, simulate oral sex with hand-to-genital touching, contort to form a table-like shape while being fully nude, pose on all fours while others who are fully nude ride on your back, [and] ride on someone’s back while you are both fully nude.” Genital painting is also on the agenda.
HBO’s sister network, Cinemax has certainly shown racier programming, but Westworld appears to going far beyond any other HBO prestige drama or comedy. Make no mistake, this is new territory for the network.
Related: Comic Scribe Ed Brubaker Confirms Gig on HBO’s Westworld
The acting union, SAG-AFTRA has voiced concerns over the clause that states extras may also have to perform “other assorted acts the project may require.” If the “assorted acts,” including simulated sex are counted as stunt work then the extras may be eligible for a bump to principal performer and receive a higher paycheck.
Unlike the original 1973 Westworld movie by Michael Crichton, the HBO adaptation will focus on the androids as artificial consciousness makes them aware of their unwilling roles in the depravity of their human masters. Westworld also boasts an impressive cast that includes Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton and Jeffrey Wright.
Westworld will premiere on HBO in 2016.
