Margot Robbie "punched" Alexander Skarsgard while shooting their 'Legend of Tarzan' sex scene.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie

Director David Yates is keen for the movie not to be "archaic or dated" and felt casting the Australian actress as the lead character's lover Jane would project a "strong and independent" image, rather than her appearing passive and in need of saving.

Alexander said: "It was very important that we didn't want it to feel archaic or dated, where it's like, tough guy has to save the poor girl.

"You have to feel that she's strong and independent, and when you cast Margot, you'll definitely get that."

David added to Entertainment Weekly magazine: "They're doing this love scene together, and I said [to Margot], 'Just slap Alex while you're making love, just kind of give him a punch.'

"It was sort of an earthy, sensual moment of her enjoying sex with Alex, and the only bruise he picked up during the entire shoot was probably that punch from Margot. Which says a lot about her feistiness."

And the filmmaker has faith the 25-year-old beauty could easily fend for herself if stranded in the jungle.

He said: "If you enter the jungle with anybody, you want to go with Margot Robbie.

"She's practical, and she's smart, and she's resourceful. And she can take care of herself."

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