Eric Bana Opens Up About 'Bitter Disappointment' Filming Untamed in Remote Settings

While filming Untamed deep in the Canadian wilderness, Eric Bana found himself unexpectedly disappointed, not by the intense role he played, but by nature's sudden no-show.

Eric Bana has opened up about his experience filming "Untamed" in the rugged landscapes of British Columbia, revealing that despite the breathtaking setting, one personal goal went unmet — he never saw a bear.

"We were mostly pretty remote up in the mountains during the day," Bana told PEOPLE, noting he was constantly on the lookout for wildlife. But even with his efforts, he said he was "bitterly disappointed" not to spot one.

A wildlife expert was on set specifically to keep grizzlies and black bears away, which likely dashed his chances of seeing one up close.

Still, Bana called the experience "pretty awesome," praising the remote setting for its natural beauty and impact on the production.

Portraying Kyle Turner, a troubled special agent with the National Parks Service, Bana dove into a character grappling with inner turmoil while investigating a mysterious death. He acknowledged that being surrounded by nature provided a necessary counterbalance to the emotionally intense role.

Filming in a studio, he said, would have made the experience "a lot more stressful," while the outdoor environment offered him a much-needed release —especially on weekends.

Though Kyle's psychological challenges were far from Bana's own reality, the actor said he tries to create distance between himself and the characters he plays. Because the script was well-crafted, he didn't feel the need to force the performance or search too deeply for motivation.

"Luckily for me, there was so much in Kyle's life that I had no similarities with from a dramatic perspective," he explained.

Still, Bana, who has been married to Rebecca Gleeson since 1997 and shares two children with her, said the emotional weight of the role required a thoughtful approach.

He emphasized the importance of empathy when embodying someone who has endured trauma, while also keeping the narrative moving for the audience.

"You put yourself in his shoes... and try and be respectful to that space emotionally," he said, adding that it's essential to avoid bogging the story down with too much heaviness.

While "Untamed" may have delivered gripping drama on screen, behind the scenes, it offered Bana a rare blend of solitude, challenge, and a hint of "bitter disappointment" over the one bear that got away.