Marc Malkin

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Ya gotta give props to a guy in Hollywood who sticks to his guns and won't sell out his private life just to promote a movie.

During this weekend's L.A. press junket for Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Javier Bardem was adamant about limiting questions to the movie and moviemaking. Bardem's handlers warned the press that their interviews with the Oscar-winning actor would immediately end if they asked about his real-life romance with costar Penélope Cruz.

Things did get a wee uncomfortable, sources report...

Bardem apparently shut down two interviews because of personal questions, according to sources. However, another source says it was only one, because the reporter asked a random question about Barcelona nightlife.

In other words, don't mess with Bardem.

Bardem and Cruz also appeared to avoid being photographed together at last night's Los Angeles premiere of the Woody Allen romantic comedy. They walked the red carpet separately and stood on opposite ends for cast pics.

I'm told the two also mingled separately for most of the afterparty at the W Hotel Los Angeles bar, Whiskey Blue. Cruz spent most of the soiree huddled with best buddy, beautiful new mommy Salma Hayek.

But then it was time to say goodnight: Bardem and Cruz jumped into the same SUV and sped off after being escorted through a throng of autograph seekers and paparazzi.

As one partygoer said, "They really are so hot together!"

Other premiere-goers included movie costars Rebecca Hall and Chris Messina, Josh Brolin, Debi Mazar, Arianna Huffington and astronaut Buzz Aldrin.