Eden is set largely in the jungle on Florena Island in the early 20th century, which meant harsh filming conditions, but star Jude Law still says that insurance wouldn’t let him fully commit to his character’s lifestyle. Eden is an adaptation of the true story of the settlers of Florena Island, who were driven to fight for resources, resulting in multiple mysterious deaths.

Eden‘s cast features Law as Dr. Friedrich Ritter and Vanessa Kirby as his partner Dore, the first Europeans to arrive on Florena, who became renowned for “taming nature.” They inspired Heinz (Daniel Brühl) and Margret Wittmer (Sydney Sweeney) to move their family to the island as well. However, the conflict truly begins when the Baroness (Ana de Armas) arrives with plans to build a H๏τel.

In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant‘s Ash Crossan, Jude Law and Ron Howard discussed filming Eden in “hundred-degree heat” on the Gold Coast of Australia, with wildlife often invading their space and floods disrupting production. Law said that this “was the only way — the right way — for this story to be made,” to understand the conditions the real-life versions of the characters lived in.

However, Law was prevented from doing one thing that might have allowed him to further understand Ritter’s lifestyle, as the film’s “insurance people” would not allow him to stay the night on set, out in the open. Check out Law and Howard’s full comments below:

ScreenRant: The sets were very immersive, is what I was reading. Jude, I’m curious for you, whether it be snakes, spiders, unpredictable weather, I mean, had any particular intimidating challenges for you from the actors?

Jude Law: All of the above. What was remarkable is [that] you are right; they were sets, they were built for us for the purpose of our story, but they were incredibly lifelike and they were chosen in areas on the Gold Coast in Australia, which meant we could really embrace the natural elements. That also meant that there were huge challenges to run on the crew, and it meant that we were flooded on a couple of days, and most days we were in a hundred-degree heat, and there was the odd animal invasion, whether it be a spider or a snake. But it felt like that was the only way — the right way — for this story to be made. These were people who were out against the elements. The elements, in a way, were a character in the story.

When the drought hits, when the sun shines, when a volcano erupts — these are punctuations in the life of these people on the island. I don’t want to sound sort of petty and indulgent, but as an actor, there was a part of you that hopes in a way that that sort of challenge will arise, in that it makes it just feel a little more genuine, a little more realistic. Of course, we are getting in cars at the end of the day and we’re going back to our apartments.

There was the odd occasion I asked, “Could I stay the night?” And, of course, that was never going to happen because the insurance people would never have it.

Ron Howard: That’s when all the critters come out.

Jude Law: Yeah, it’s when everything’s going to kill you comes out and takes over. But embracing that side was a really important part of telling the story.

What Jude Law’s Comments Mean For Eden

Law comments reveal the necessity of on-location filming for Eden, not just because it lent itself to effective production design, but because it allowed the actors to properly get into character. Despite Eden‘s disappointing box office, it does capture the environment beautifully, making the audience understand that an unexpected natural event changes the course of the story.

The production team seemingly found a suitable location to recreate these conditions as a subsтιтute for the real Florena Island. However, despite how enthusiastic the actors may be about doubling down on their efforts, stunt teams and insurance companies surround such a production for a reason — to keep the cast and crew safe, ensuring everything goes smoothly.

Our Take On Jude Law’s Comments On Filming Eden

It’s possible that if Law had been allowed to sleep in the jungle overnight, the experience would have been so exceptionally miserable that he would not have done it again for the rest of the production. It’s really a gift that the actors have nice apartments to go back to at the end of the day, to recharge after filming this battle for survival in sweltering weather.

But the efforts of the cast and crew on Hollywood productions will never cease to amaze, as they brave various conditions for the perfect sH๏τ or atmosphere. Eden, unfortunately, isn’t getting an amazing reception as a reward, but there are things worth appreciating in the movie nonetheless.