Pride & Prejudice director Joe Wright has revealed who was behind the viral hand flex moment.
The 2005 period drama featured a scene in which Mr Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) helps Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) into a carriage. After letting go of her palm, the camera catches Mr Darcy stretching his hand.
The small motion has since become an iconic symbol of romance and yearning, but Wright explained that the viral clip was actually Macfadyen's idea.
"It wasn't in the script, but that was an important moment in the book," the director told People.
"This sudden realization, as they were parting, of what they meant to each other or the kind of disturbance they caused in each other."
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Wright emphasised how important that moment was for Mr Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship, adding that he wanted the scene to "convey the intelligence of our bodies really over our minds."
"Our bodies are so much smarter than our minds often. Although their conscious minds are fighting against each other, their bodies are two magnets drawn to each other," he recalled.
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"As they touch, even that little hand lifting helping her, which is pure etiquette of the period, somehow creates this kind of electronic shock wave through them both, and he has to shake it away."
Despite its huge popularity, Wright initially feared that the scene wouldn't adequately highlight the attraction between the two characters.
"It had been a gloomy day when we shot it," he added. "I felt like I hadn't conveyed what I wanted to, and it's odd and gratifying to find that we told our story, and people have responded. Because on the day, I thought, 'Oh no, we didn't get it. It was rubbish. It didn't work.' Now, people are still posting it. It's odd and really nice."
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Divya is a freelance writer with experience in entertainment and lifestyle news. Described as a "telly addict" since childhood, Divya was able to translate her interests into a BJTC-accredited, Honours degree in Journalism and Media. After working in communications and marketing, Divya joined Digital Spy as a Freelance News Reporter. She has also written for various publications including Metro, Asian World News and TwitCelebGossip; as well as interviews, features and reviews on her own blog. Divya prides herself on her TV, film and showbiz knowledge, always offering (not so) fun facts to her long-suffering friends and family. From soaps to superheroes, Divya is the go-to person for tailored recommendations and up to date information.
