During the filming of Now You See Me in New Orleans, Mark Ruffalo and Woody Harrelson found themselves unexpectedly caught in a chaotic bar confrontation. Reckoning with the volatile incident, Ruffalo’s quick thinking led to a narrow escape amid rising tensions in the crowded venue, highlighting the unpredictable risks off-camera involved in their work.
A Night Out Turns Unruly During Now You See Me Shoot
While promoting their podcast episode of Where Everybody Knows Your Name, Mark Ruffalo and Woody Harrelson recounted an intense night during the production of Now You See Me. The filming took place on the streets of New Orleans, often blending with the city’s vibrant Mardi Gras energy. Ruffalo described the atmosphere as “completely on the streets” and “totally wild,” capturing scenes with long lenses and sometimes getting pulled into local bars amidst the celebrations.
On one occasion, the actors stopped at a packed bar for drinks when tensions escalated quickly. A woman approached Harrelson, expressing admiration, but the situation took a sudden turn when another man shoved her aside and then aggressively pushed Harrelson as well. Ruffalo set the scene:
“And a woman came up to him and she said, ‘Oh my God, I love you so much.’ Woody put his hand on her arm and he said, ‘Oh, thank you. Thank you, darling.’ And this guy comes over and he pushes her outta the way, and he shoves Woody.”
Immediate Reaction Sparks Barroom Melee
This unexpected aggression drew swift responses. Ted Danson, cohosting with the actors and familiar with Harrelson since their Cheers days, reacted with concern, noting it was “bad bad” and “not good.” Ruffalo explained that Harrelson’s instinct was to strike back without hesitation:
“Woody’s first response is not ‘shove someone back,’ but ‘immediately punch them in the face.’”
The situation quickly spiraled into a full bar fight as multiple patrons became involved. Ruffalo found himself amid the chaos and realized the danger they faced, not only from rival combatants but also because others with them might not handle such confrontations well. He said,
“I grabbed you and I pulled you out, ‘Cause I was like, ‘This could be fun, but it also just could go so disastrously wrong because you and I might be able to handle ourselves but the rest of the folks we were with… I don’t think so.’”
Harrelson confirmed this with agreement, underscoring the seriousness of the moment.
Past Incidents and Harrelson’s Reputation for Turbulence
Danson’s reaction hinted that Harrelson’s involvement in bar fights was not unprecedented. The actor has previously gained a reputation for such volatile episodes. Danson recalled sharing that on the day he first met Harrelson, the actor had been both carjacked and involved in a bar fight, prompting Danson’s immediate impression:
“Oh dear God, that’s who that is,”
followed by Harrelson’s unexpected request,
“Could you look at this poem I wrote?”
Danson went on to describe Harrelson as an unusual figure:
“He is a whimsical creature. He’s astounding. He’s such a bundle of contradictions.”
Continuing Collaboration Among The Horsemen
Despite these tense off-screen moments, Harrelson and Ruffalo are slated to reunite in the upcoming Now You See Me sequel, Now You See Me, Now You Don’t. The film brings together the original Four Horsemen—Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, and Jesse Eisenberg—along with a new cast of illusionists to challenge a global crime syndicate. Their shared experiences, both in front of and behind the camera, contribute to the dynamic energy of the series.
This recounting of the bar fight escape offers a rare glimpse into the actors’ real-life encounters with chaos similar to the magic and misdirection they portray onscreen. The story also reflects the unpredictable challenges actors face on location and the importance of quick thinking when moments turn dangerous.
