Margot Robbie's Cinematic Struggles: Unveiling the Perils of Major Movie Props

March 2023

Multi-award-winning actress Margot Robbie recently got real about some of the dangers and difficulties in filming scenes for major movies beyond the obvious glamour and magic.

For Robbie’s break-out role in The Wolf of Wall Street, a racy scene saw her rolling atop a pile of money, while appearing luxurious, did not feel that way. To the Daily Beast, Robbie noted suffering countless cuts on her back from laying on the props.

“Maybe real money is a bit softer, but the fake money is like paper, and when I got up off the bed, I turned around to get my robe and everyone gasped.”

For her newest movie, Babylon, Robbie mentioned discussing with director Damien Chazelle the copious amounts of fake cocaine she was snorting for her character Nellie LaRoy. In one scene, a coke-fueled LeRoy wrestles a rattlesnake while many others depict her wild life of intense parties, and to Robbie, the amount of fake cocaine on hand was “ridiculous”. To the Daily Star, Robbie noted snorting hot dog-sized lines of substitutes for the drug.

For the visual effect of real cocaine, products such as powdered sugar, icing, baby laxatives, and mixtures of vitamins can be safe replacements, but still can become uncomfortable. The process of making these pops and replicas is sometimes difficult too.

For fake drugs like pills, cigarettes and joints, substitutes include herbal rolls, gelatin and sugar pills.

However, according to Scott Reeder, a crew member working on CW’s Walker, the process can be time-consuming.

“Fake marijuana buds are one of the most difficult drugs that we do. It’s something that grows in South America, and it gives the texture and feel and the look that we need, but it’s blended with a lot of other things. So it’s a difficult process because a small batch takes 12 hours.”

Robbie has been outspoken about her experiences behind the scenes, often noting that her job and the cinematic visuals, while enjoyable, don’t always come as easy as they appear. On occasion, actors must perform in demanding conditions with unique props, sometimes prone to hurt them.

Robbie will soon appear as the lead in Barbie which focuses on both reality and the dreamy world of the Barbie universe, encompassing many of the doll’s adapted occupations and undoubtedly testing the actress’ limits once again.

Margot Robbie at Sydney's Jan. 16 "Babylon" premiere - Getty Images