10 Times Massive Egos Ruined Productions
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VOICE OVER: Patrick Mealey
WRITTEN BY: George Pacheco
This is why you should leave your ego at the door! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we'll be discussing ten instances where actions behind the scenes of a film resulted in repercussions for the finished product, or the careers of those involved. Our countdown includes actors Wesley Snipes, Edward Norton, Lindsay Lohan and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be discussing ten instances where actions behind the scenes of a film resulted in repercussions for the finished product, or the careers of those involved. Do stories of behind-the-scenes drama impact your enjoyment of any of these films? Let us know in the comments!
Adaptations of famous properties don’t necessarily need to adhere strictly to the source material to be successful. That said, comic book fans are generally protective of the stories and characters they love, and want them to be represented with respect. Dwayne Johnson’s actions behind the scenes of 2022’s “Black Adam” seem to have distanced the title character from the superhero with which he is most identified in comics, Shazam. Reportedly, Johnson was more interested in Black Adam having a future on-screen collaboration with Superman rather than the one-time Captain Marvel. Of course, none of this really matters in the end, since “Black Adam” disappointed both critics and audiences upon release, while its profit margin was comparatively slim thanks to the hefty production budget.
Many of Lindsay Lohan’s fans were rooting for the actress as she attempted a slow return to the silver screen, after a much-publicized struggle with substance use disorder. Unfortunately, films such as 2013’s “The Canyons” didn’t do much to raise Lohan’s public profile…at least, not in the way she probably intended. Instead, stories rose about how Lohan would either show up unfit to work or not bother to show up at all. The actress was also allegedly combative on set, and demanded others (including director Paul Schrader) disrobe when it came time to shoot a sex scene from the script. Finally, Lohan publicly distanced herself from the erotic thriller after it was finished, essentially putting the kibosh upon any sort of promotion.
Man, director Neill Blomkamp just can’t seem to catch a break. The director’s filmography includes many efforts that were hampered due to a variety of missteps, mistakes and misfires. “Chappie” was one such entry, a film from 2015 that featured within its cast one Watkin Tudor Jones, also known as Ninja from the group Die Antwoord. Ninja was allegedly hostile to a number of cast and crew during the production of “Chappie,” and it’s unclear from sourcers whether this hostility was sincere, or came from a place of method acting. Whatever the case, “Chappie” did double its budget of forty-nine million dollars, but this was still seen as a failure, and plans for future sequels were scrapped.
The big screen isn’t the only place where egos can run rampant, and seemingly irreparable rifts can emerge at a moment’s notice. “Two and a Half Men” was a fan-favorite sitcom during its early years, serving as something of a triumph for movie star Charlie Sheen. However, this small-screen success was dampened by Sheen’s struggles with substance use disorder, resulting in repeated clashes with co-stars, as well as with creator Chuck Lorre. Sheen’s character was eventually written off the show when the actor was dismissed from “Two and a Half Men,” but this wasn’t the end of the story. Instead, Lorre decided to have the last laugh by killing off Sheen’s character in a manner that can only be described as “broad.”
The fascinating 2013 documentary “Jodorowsky’s Dune” tells the tale of the maverick and often controversial director’s unmade “Dune” adaptation from the 1970s. Jodorowsky, who was known for his transgressive cinematic tendencies, possessed a sprawling, nigh-unfilmable vision for “Dune.” This adaptation of the Frank Herbert series of novels possessed ideas that were incredible, magnificent and truly awe-inspiring. They were also, however, unfilmable for any movie studio that didn’t have a blank checkbook policy. The auteur refused to compromise on this vision, which frightened off investors. The level of expense and manpower required for production (alongside Jodorowsky’s desire for the film to run at least ten hours) was simply unattainable, and Jodorowsky’s “Dune” never came to fruition.
Edward Norton is an extremely talented actor, and “American History X” was a noteworthy achievement for director Tony Kaye. However, the production of this film was fraught with turmoil, including repeated clashes between the director and his leading man. Norton’s reputation for being creatively hands-on has often resulted in tensions behind the scenes. This was seen in 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk,” with the role of Bruce Banner being recast after Norton’s involvement. Norton’s script doctoring and edits for “American History X” resulted in fiery confrontations between the actor, Kaye and New Line Cinema. The final product underperformed at the box office, and Kaye’s career as a director stalled in the aftermath of his disowning of the film.
Writer/director Michael Cimino was on a roll going into 1980’s “Heaven’s Gate.” The man had written some successful screenplays, and helmed two well-received feature films, “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” and “The Deer Hunter.” It was with this latter film that Cimino’s meticulous style as a filmmaker was codified, and the film won five Academy Awards - including Best Picture and Best Director. But it would be with “Heaven’s Gate” that the level of obsession would go too far, effectively ruining his career. The film was critically panned and a huge commercial bomb that steered its studio, United Artists, into bankruptcy. Today, “Heaven’s Gate” has received a Criterion release on home video, and is regarded by some as an underseen and unfairly maligned cult classic. But Cimino didn’t make another feature for five years.
“Blade: Trinity” (2004)
The Blade character is one that’s still awaiting a reboot from Marvel, after Wesley Snipes first embodied the role back in the 1990s. “Blade: Trinity” did no service to the character’s legacy, however, and was notably fraught with behind-the-scenes drama. It was the first film in the franchise to be helmed by its screenwriter, David S. Goyer, and this decision immediately put the director at odds with his lead. Snipes reportedly made production hell for both his director and co-stars. The actor allegedly communicated only in writing to Goyer, and signed all of his missives as “Blade.” Snipes, for his part, maintained that his executive producer privileges offered him creative control that wasn’t recognized on the set or by the studio.
It’s one of the most infamously troubled film sets of all time, so much so that it was made the subject of its own documentary. This 2014 film details how a 1996 adaptation of “The Island of Dr. Moreau” brought in two actors infamous for their bad behavior: the young hot-shot Val Kilmer and the OG enfant terrible, Marlon Brando. The film’s screenwriter and original director, Richard Stanley, was fired midway through production, yet snuck back on set in costume. Kilmer was going through a divorce, and was allegedly argumentative throughout production. Meanwhile, Brando demanded to be fed all his lines via earpiece, and co-star Fairuza Balk actually attempted to physically escape the film …but was dragged (proverbially) back to the island.
Theirs was a professional and personal rivalry so infamous that it was developed into a television series. Bette Davis and Joan Crawford are towering legends of old school Hollywood, and their distaste for one another actually worked in the financial favor of “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” in 1962. This psychological thriller would turn out to be a defining film for both women but not without a cost. There were reports that Davis only signed on to the film once she was assured that her ratio of close-ups wouldn’t be affected by any suspected behind-the-scenes romance between Crawford and the director. Elsewhere, it was also alleged that the two stars caused injury to each other during certain scenes.
Dwayne Johnson
“Black Adam” (2022)Adaptations of famous properties don’t necessarily need to adhere strictly to the source material to be successful. That said, comic book fans are generally protective of the stories and characters they love, and want them to be represented with respect. Dwayne Johnson’s actions behind the scenes of 2022’s “Black Adam” seem to have distanced the title character from the superhero with which he is most identified in comics, Shazam. Reportedly, Johnson was more interested in Black Adam having a future on-screen collaboration with Superman rather than the one-time Captain Marvel. Of course, none of this really matters in the end, since “Black Adam” disappointed both critics and audiences upon release, while its profit margin was comparatively slim thanks to the hefty production budget.
Lindsay Lohan
“The Canyons” (2013)Many of Lindsay Lohan’s fans were rooting for the actress as she attempted a slow return to the silver screen, after a much-publicized struggle with substance use disorder. Unfortunately, films such as 2013’s “The Canyons” didn’t do much to raise Lohan’s public profile…at least, not in the way she probably intended. Instead, stories rose about how Lohan would either show up unfit to work or not bother to show up at all. The actress was also allegedly combative on set, and demanded others (including director Paul Schrader) disrobe when it came time to shoot a sex scene from the script. Finally, Lohan publicly distanced herself from the erotic thriller after it was finished, essentially putting the kibosh upon any sort of promotion.
Watkin Tudor Jones [aka Ninja]
“Chappie” (2015)Man, director Neill Blomkamp just can’t seem to catch a break. The director’s filmography includes many efforts that were hampered due to a variety of missteps, mistakes and misfires. “Chappie” was one such entry, a film from 2015 that featured within its cast one Watkin Tudor Jones, also known as Ninja from the group Die Antwoord. Ninja was allegedly hostile to a number of cast and crew during the production of “Chappie,” and it’s unclear from sourcers whether this hostility was sincere, or came from a place of method acting. Whatever the case, “Chappie” did double its budget of forty-nine million dollars, but this was still seen as a failure, and plans for future sequels were scrapped.
Charlie Sheen
“Two and a Half Men” (2003-15)The big screen isn’t the only place where egos can run rampant, and seemingly irreparable rifts can emerge at a moment’s notice. “Two and a Half Men” was a fan-favorite sitcom during its early years, serving as something of a triumph for movie star Charlie Sheen. However, this small-screen success was dampened by Sheen’s struggles with substance use disorder, resulting in repeated clashes with co-stars, as well as with creator Chuck Lorre. Sheen’s character was eventually written off the show when the actor was dismissed from “Two and a Half Men,” but this wasn’t the end of the story. Instead, Lorre decided to have the last laugh by killing off Sheen’s character in a manner that can only be described as “broad.”
Alejandro Jodorowsky
“Dune” (Unmade, 1970s)The fascinating 2013 documentary “Jodorowsky’s Dune” tells the tale of the maverick and often controversial director’s unmade “Dune” adaptation from the 1970s. Jodorowsky, who was known for his transgressive cinematic tendencies, possessed a sprawling, nigh-unfilmable vision for “Dune.” This adaptation of the Frank Herbert series of novels possessed ideas that were incredible, magnificent and truly awe-inspiring. They were also, however, unfilmable for any movie studio that didn’t have a blank checkbook policy. The auteur refused to compromise on this vision, which frightened off investors. The level of expense and manpower required for production (alongside Jodorowsky’s desire for the film to run at least ten hours) was simply unattainable, and Jodorowsky’s “Dune” never came to fruition.
Edward Norton & Tony Kaye
“American History X” (1998)Edward Norton is an extremely talented actor, and “American History X” was a noteworthy achievement for director Tony Kaye. However, the production of this film was fraught with turmoil, including repeated clashes between the director and his leading man. Norton’s reputation for being creatively hands-on has often resulted in tensions behind the scenes. This was seen in 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk,” with the role of Bruce Banner being recast after Norton’s involvement. Norton’s script doctoring and edits for “American History X” resulted in fiery confrontations between the actor, Kaye and New Line Cinema. The final product underperformed at the box office, and Kaye’s career as a director stalled in the aftermath of his disowning of the film.
Michael Cimino
“Heaven’s Gate” (1980)Writer/director Michael Cimino was on a roll going into 1980’s “Heaven’s Gate.” The man had written some successful screenplays, and helmed two well-received feature films, “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” and “The Deer Hunter.” It was with this latter film that Cimino’s meticulous style as a filmmaker was codified, and the film won five Academy Awards - including Best Picture and Best Director. But it would be with “Heaven’s Gate” that the level of obsession would go too far, effectively ruining his career. The film was critically panned and a huge commercial bomb that steered its studio, United Artists, into bankruptcy. Today, “Heaven’s Gate” has received a Criterion release on home video, and is regarded by some as an underseen and unfairly maligned cult classic. But Cimino didn’t make another feature for five years.
Wesley Snipes
“Blade: Trinity” (2004)
The Blade character is one that’s still awaiting a reboot from Marvel, after Wesley Snipes first embodied the role back in the 1990s. “Blade: Trinity” did no service to the character’s legacy, however, and was notably fraught with behind-the-scenes drama. It was the first film in the franchise to be helmed by its screenwriter, David S. Goyer, and this decision immediately put the director at odds with his lead. Snipes reportedly made production hell for both his director and co-stars. The actor allegedly communicated only in writing to Goyer, and signed all of his missives as “Blade.” Snipes, for his part, maintained that his executive producer privileges offered him creative control that wasn’t recognized on the set or by the studio.
Val Kilmer & Marlon Brando
“The Island of Dr. Moreau” (1996)It’s one of the most infamously troubled film sets of all time, so much so that it was made the subject of its own documentary. This 2014 film details how a 1996 adaptation of “The Island of Dr. Moreau” brought in two actors infamous for their bad behavior: the young hot-shot Val Kilmer and the OG enfant terrible, Marlon Brando. The film’s screenwriter and original director, Richard Stanley, was fired midway through production, yet snuck back on set in costume. Kilmer was going through a divorce, and was allegedly argumentative throughout production. Meanwhile, Brando demanded to be fed all his lines via earpiece, and co-star Fairuza Balk actually attempted to physically escape the film …but was dragged (proverbially) back to the island.
Joan Crawford & Bette Davis
“What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962)Theirs was a professional and personal rivalry so infamous that it was developed into a television series. Bette Davis and Joan Crawford are towering legends of old school Hollywood, and their distaste for one another actually worked in the financial favor of “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” in 1962. This psychological thriller would turn out to be a defining film for both women but not without a cost. There were reports that Davis only signed on to the film once she was assured that her ratio of close-ups wouldn’t be affected by any suspected behind-the-scenes romance between Crawford and the director. Elsewhere, it was also alleged that the two stars caused injury to each other during certain scenes.
