EXCLUSIVE: Jamie Dornan & Dakota Johnson Were 'More Comfortable' With Intimate Scenes in 'Fifty Shades Darker'

Fifty Shades Darker brings the erotic romantic affair between Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) and Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) back to the big screen.

While the steamy sex scenes of the first film proved to be a bit awkward for the two stars, Dornan says the intimate moments were a little easier to shoot this time around.

WATCH: Jamie Dornan Reveals Why He Shaved His Head After Wrapping 'Fifty Shades' Films

"I was only cast five weeks before we started filming the first movie, and that's when I met Dakota [Johnson] for the first time" Doran explained to ET's Carly Steel at the Los Angeles premiere of Fifty Shades Darker on Thursday. "[Now] it's been three years, [and] Dakota and I are very close."

EXCLUSIVE: Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson Reveal Their 'Fifty Shades' Pre-Sex Scene Rituals

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"We've got a great sort of love and respect for each other," he continued. "We're great friends and I think that makes it easier, you know? So it's definitely more comfortable."

Johnson shared similar sentiments as her handsome co-star, explaining that production on the sequel "was definitely not as petrifying as the first time."

WATCH: Dakota Johnson and Jimmy Fallon Turn 'Fifty Shades' Into a Comedy in 'Mad Libs Theater'

"It never gets [easy], but because we’ve become so close it was a lot easier to make [the scenes} special," Johnson said.

One way the duo made the scenes easier on themselves by instituting a kind of "pre-game ritual" before getting down on camera.

"Shot of whiskey [and] mints," Johnson recalled. "He does pushups and I just lay there and drink whiskey."

WATCH: Jamie Dornan Blushes About 'Fifty Shades' Sex Toys, Stars in Hilarious Parody With Ellen DeGeneres

Dornan's affinity for push-ups doesn't end with pre-sex scene workouts. The Irish star showed off his prowess during an interview with Conan O'Brien on Wednesday, when he demonstrated just how strong he is by doing arms-only push-ups off the side of the host's desk.

Check out the video below for a look at Dornan's impressive physique.

Jamie Dornan Pulls a Muscle While Showing Off His Strength on 'Conan'

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