Watch the 'Fantastic Four' Cast Endure the Summer's Most Awkward Interview Yet

In a summer movie season filled with super-awkward interviews, this one might take the grand prize. While promoting Fantastic Four, stars Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell sat down for a radio Q&A with the hosts of Atlanta’s Rock 100.5 Morning Show, Steven J. Rickman and Jason Bailey. Behind-the-scenes footage of the interview was posted, then removed, by the radio station, but has since leaked onto YouTube. Watch a video about the cringefest above.

Co-host Bailey begins the interview with what he called “the obvious question” — how is it that Jordan and Mara are playing siblings Sue and Johnny Storm? “You’re white and you’re black,” Bailey helpfully points out. In fact, if they’d been listening, the radio jocks would have heard Mara answer the question before they even finished asking it. (“Sue Storm was adopted,” she tells them, only to have Bailey snap back, “Don’t ruin my question.”) Jordan, who has been asked this question a lot on the press tour and is clearly tired of answering it, diplomatically replies, “They could be raised as brother and sister. There’s a whole bunch of different family dynamics that could be without the obvious adoption.”

But things don’t get really awkward until Rickman starts talking about Mara’s hair. “You’re way, way hot,” says Rickman. “Why’d you cut the hair? Your hair was beautiful.”

“This is a great interview,” Mara mutters, before revealing that she chopped it for a new movie. “I’m an actress. I have to be a chameleon,” she explains patiently.

Rickman continues to harp on Mara’s hair, prompting his co-host to ask, “Is that weirding you out that he’s doing that?” And then Rickman puts the icing on the cake, telling Mara, “I’m a toe guy. Your toes are fine.” Mercifully, that’s when a publicist cuts off the interview.

On their radio show this morning, Bailey and Rickman defended their interview, complaining that they have been mischaracterized by the press. “This show’s M.O. is not out to be the ‘shock jock’… That’s just not how we are,” said Bailey. According to the hosts, questioning Jordan about his character’s race was not a racially motivated question. “For some reason, Michael B. Jordan… is very sensitive about that. Who knows why?” said Bailey. (We’re guessing it’s all the hate mail he got when his casting was announced? Here’s an essay the actor wrote for EW about it.)

As for complimenting Mara on her feet, Rickman doesn’t think he crossed a line. “Her feet were right there in front of me. She wants me to notice. Why else get a pedicure? Why cut your toenails?” he asked.

Bailey concurred, saying of the backlash, “I think I just don’t understand.”