Michael Douglas Reveals Debra Winger’s Alleged Bite Incident, Confirming Longtime Hollywood Rumors

In a recent episode of Rob Lowe's podcast “Literally!,” Hollywood actor Michael Douglas finally addressed the rumors surrounding his refusal to work with actress Debra Winger.

Douglas, 77, confirmed that Winger lost the female lead role in the 1984 action adventure film “Romancing the Stone” after an unusual encounter involving a bite.

Douglas, who produced the movie and was directed by Robert Zemeckis, disclosed that they had approached Winger while she was shooting “Terms of Endearment” in Texas.

At a Mexican restaurant, they had a dinner meeting to discuss casting her as Joan Wilder, the romance novelist who falls for bird hunter Jack Colton, played by Douglas, in the Colombian jungle.

During the dinner, as they conversed and enjoyed tequilas, Winger playfully bit Douglas on the arm, causing him great pain.

The unexpected incident left Douglas unsure about working with her.

He vividly recalled the moment, stating, “She's like jokey and I'm looking at her, ‘I don't know, man' – I'm thinking ‘this could be rough' and she seems interested and I go back and she's broken the skin.”

Upon returning to Hollywood, Douglas tearfully expressed his reservations to the film executives, explaining, “I break down in tears and say, ‘I can't go to the jungle with her – she bit me in the arm!' I said, ‘I can't do it!'” Consequently, the studio executives agreed not to cast Winger in the role.

Winger, known for her roles in the “Wonder Woman” TV series and the Oscar-winning film “An Officer and a Gentleman,” has not yet responded to the allegations.

CNN reached out to representatives of Winger and Zemeckis for comment but has not received any response.

This incident is not the first time Douglas has discussed Winger's dismissal from “Romancing the Stone.”

In a 2019 interview with Variety, he mentioned concerns about Winger not being a “team player” as the reason behind her departure from the film.

Ultimately, Kathleen Turner, known for her role in “Body Heat,” took on the role of Joan Wilder.

Her performance garnered critical acclaim, earning her the Best Actress Golden Globe in 1985.

Turner also mentioned the alleged bite incident in her autobiography “Send Yourself Roses” in 2008, sharing Douglas's account of the incident.

The revelation from Michael Douglas sheds light on a longstanding Hollywood rumor and offers insight into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of casting decisions.

It serves as a reminder that even in the glamorous world of showbiz, unexpected incidents can shape the course of careers and alter the trajectory of films.