Olivia Wilde recounts surprise improvised kiss with Penélope Cruz on set of ‘The Invite’

Actress‑director Olivia Wilde said Penélope Cruz unexpectedly improvised a kiss with her while filming the dramedy The Invite. Wilde recalled that the unscripted moment left her “mind went blank,” prompting her to call “Cut, namaste” on set. The surprise kiss was kept in the final cut of the film, which opened worldwide on 26 June 2026 and stars Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, Wilde and Cruz.

Wilde explained that she turned to look directly into the camera after the kiss, and the crew’s reaction was confusion. She described feeling overwhelmed and “madly in love” with the scene, adding that the experience helped her feel more confident as a director.