Taken aback by Jennifer Garner’s performance in ‘Alias’, Quentin Tarantino couldn’t stop praising the actress.

When it comes to writing and directing, Quentin Tarantino is undoubtedly one of the very best in the entertainment business. But that’s not all that the filmmaker is capable of. Outside of films that he has been directly involved with, Tarantino has also appeared in several other projects as a guest star. Take, for example, J.J. Abrams’ spy series Alias where he starred alongside Jennifer Garner.

Quentin Tarantino in Pulp Fiction
Appearing in the 12th and 13th episodes of Alias’ first season, Quentin Tarantino played the role of a former agent of the SD6 agency, McKenas Cole. Seeking revenge in the series, Tarantino’s character gets a face-off with Jennifer Garner’s Sydney Bristow. The duo engaged in a famous fight sequence, which was later hailed by Tarantino as he had the highest praise for Garner.

Quentin Tarantino appeared in J.J. Abrams’ Alias

Apart from his directorial roles in acclaimed films like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, Quentin Tarantino has also proved his acting capabilities in different projects. From appearing in Robert Rodriguez’s Desperado to Adam Sandler’s Little Nicky, Tarantino has made a few exceptions of starring as a guest actor. But among these projects, what holds a separate fanbase is Tarantino’s appearance as McKenas Cole in Alias.

Taking the role of McKenas Cole, SD6’s former agent who was left for dead on a previous mission, Quentin Tarantino appeared in J.J. Abrams’ spy series to exact revenge. Working on behalf of an unnamed villain The Man, Tarantino appears in the 12th and 13th episodes of season 1 where he tries to steal a mysterious artifact but faces obstacles from Jennifer Garner’s Sydney Bristow.
Quentin Tarantino as McKenas Cole in Alias

During his brief appearance in the show, Quentin Tarantino faces major fight sequences with Jennifer Garner. Pulling punches at each other, the duo created nail-biting suspense and offered a riveting performance in the show. While Tarantino and Garner were pitted against each other for hand-to-hand combat, in the show, they had a major appreciation for the other, in real life.

Quentin Tarantino Hailed Jennifer Garner After a Fight

During his interview with Rolling Stones, Quentin Tarantino reflected upon how he ended up in the Golden Globe and four-time Primetime Emmy-winning Alias, and his work experience. That’s when the legendary filmmaker addressed Jennifer Garner’s performance in the show as the double agent Sydney Bristow.

Claiming that J.J. Abrams’ Alias recruited many fans during its run, Quentin Tarantino was thus hired, as he held the show in high regard and even watched it weekly. “This is the only new show of the season that I watch,” the filmmaker noted during his 2002 interview. Further, he went on to address Jennifer Garner‘s performance in the show, whom he beat up in a forgotten episode.

Tarantino and Jennifer Garner’s fight scene in Alias
“Alias delivers what The Man From U.N.C.L.E. always promised: It actually lives up to the coolness of its potential. Week in and week out, Jennifer is doing fights in tight rubber dresses and heels, so, really, props. And at the same time, she’s doing all of this dramatic stuff. When I met her, I said, ‘Just so you know, you’re gonna work forever. You don’t have to prove nothin’ to nobody no more.’”
Having his ass kicked in the show by Jennifer Garner’s character as Sydney Bristow dominated the scene, Quentin Tarantino sang praise of the actress and held her in the highest regard. But despite being defeated brutally by Garner, Tarantino has been a massive fan of the show. Therefore, the filmmaker was yet again brought back to the screen, in Season 3, episodes 11 and 13.

Alias is available on Disney+.