Warner Bros. has lashed out at reports claiming the British beauty demanded producers hire a body double for a nude scene in her upcoming drama, Whiteout, after refusing to show her nekkid bum on camera.
They did, as it happens, hire one—but not, they want to make clear, as a result of any diva demands or actress insecurities.
That clears that up.
"The claims appearing on the Internet today that Kate Beckinsale requested a body double for filming Whiteout are absolutely untrue," the studio said. "As is standard practice on many movies, a body double was hired for several scenes by the production and not at the request of Kate Beckinsale."
Producer Susan Downey also chimed in: "Kate Beckinsale made no request for a body double for this production.'"
The rumor began making the rounds after the Mail on Sunday published an article claiming Beckinsale forced producers to shell out $2,000 per day for a double to protect her modesty.
"The script called for her character to be filmed nude in a shower, focusing in on her bottom and thighs," the U.K. tabloid quoted someone billed as an anonymous on-set source. "Kate insisted on a double being hired. She was quite open on the set about not liking her body and said she particularly loathed her bottom and was not comfortable baring it."
