Michael Shannon Wasn't Allowed Near a Motorcycle on 'Bikeriders' Set, Director Says

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

Michael Shannon didn't cut into the road on the set of “The Bikeriders”… in fact, he wasn't allowed near the motorcycles during filming — that's what the director says.

J.eff Nichols — who directed the film with Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, Mike Faist and Shannon – says that despite MS's biker character in the film, he never hopped on a motorcycle…because he just wasn't interested.

On the Podcast “Reelblend”, Nichols says the actors had to go through extensive training to ride the pigs…but Shannon jumped and therefore wasn't allowed to ride the horse.

Jeff says Michael's first question about filming when they discussed the film was whether he should learn to ride a horse… something JN says he definitely could have done if he had had the desire to try.

BTW… motor skills don't seem to be in Michael Shannon's wheelhouse — because Jeff said Shannon didn't even have a driver's license when they made the sci-fi movie “Midnight Special” together ” in 2016.

The new movie — centered on a group of strangers who turn into a sinister gang — hit theaters Friday… and it's received strong reviews so far, amassing an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes.

So, it looks like no one is too upset Shannon didn't jump on a bike…although that might cut into the realism of the film a bit.