Top 20 Actors and Directors Who HATED Each Other

“Fantastic Four” (2015)

Despite creating a film about a team of superheroes, the energy on this set was anything but harmonious. The 2015 rendition of “The Fantastic Four” has been heavily criticized— but the issues extended beyond what was shown on screen. Behind the scenes, director Josh Trank clashed with the cast and studio heads throughout the whole process. Sue Storm’s actress Kate Mara revealed her own experiences and regrets during filming, lamenting how she wished she would have stood up for herself. As if one star being upset wasn’t enough, another— Miles Teller— reportedly became so upset that he and Trank nearly fought physically. While the actor has opted to keep exactly what happened under wraps, it’s clear that the tension has never truly been resolved.

“Jaws 2” (1978)

The impact the first “Jaws” film had on cinema can’t be understated, but the same unfortunately can’t be said for the sequels. One of the most wary about returning was the lead himself, Roy Scheider, who was so against the idea that he pleaded insanity in an attempt to break his contract. Although he tried to do his best once filming began, he still constantly argued with Szwarc about how he felt time was being wasted on what he deemed to be unimportant scenes. When they attempted to meet and discuss their differences, it devolved into a full-on fight between the two. While Szwarc eventually apologized to Scheider, it was clear it was done for the picture’s benefit, rather than the actors’.

“The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” (2003)

Most people have had at least one boss who made them want to quit. Sean Connery lived out that universal fantasy following “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” He and the director, Stephen Norrington, argued endlessly during the making of it. Things became so strained that when Connery was asked about the latter’s whereabouts at the movie’s premiere party, he joked that he’d been institutionalized. It was later revealed that Norrington was apparently uncomfortable with large crews and studio supervision, making filming a nightmare. The process was so frustrating that it caused Conney to suddenly retire just shy of his 50th year of working. It also ended up being Norrington’s final project, although it’s unclear if that choice was as voluntary as Connery’s.

“Dancer in the Dark” (2000)

Talk about burying the lede. When “Dancer in the Dark” first premiered, it was clear that things were tense between Björk and the filmmaker, Lars von Trier. At the time, it was explained away as the two clashing creatively on the singer’s acting method. However, in 2017, a new detail was uncovered that changed everything. She accused a Danish director— later revealed to be von Trier— of sexually harassing her. When he denied the claims, she simply became more specific, detailing how he would touch her and make highly inappropriate comments. She also mentioned how she would be subject to his anger if she spoke up. The additional knowledge has completely recontextualized the movie, including Björk’s previous comments about the process draining her emotionally.

“Don’t Worry Darling” (2022)

Some films are a production nightmare before even coming out. Before Harry Styles was cast in “Don’t Worry Darling,” his role was slated to go to Shia LaBeouf instead. It was eventually reported that he’d been fired for poor behavior, but the shock from that news quickly morphed into confusion when he denied that ever happening. He even supported himself by leaking a video of Wilde asking him to stay and blaming the recasting on Florence Pugh being uncomfortable with him. This ended up leading to rumors that their relationship on set was strained as well, even getting into a verbal sparring match at one point. While both parties have denied that event, the drama ended up stealing the spotlight from the actual feature.

“Chinatown” (1974)

Some feuds are so deep that even asking one of the parties about it comes with a risk. Although Faye Dunaway’s performance in “Chinatown” was heavily praised, that didn’t stop her and Roman Polanski from having a strained relationship. While he claimed she was the crazy one between the two of them, it was clear the animosity was felt on both sides. Countless rumors have circulated, from accusations that he plucked out her hair to get the perfect shot, to a story about Dunaway throwing urine in his face. She’s never confirmed this event— and when one interviewer dared to ask, she ended their conversation immediately. It seems this is one behind-the-scenes secret we may never get to know.

“Boogie Nights” (1997)

Even great movies can be the source of constant fighting between two creatives. Burt Reynolds reportedly not only disliked the content of “Boogie Nights,” but the director— Paul Thomas Anderson— himself. He later revealed he’d grown tired of the then-upstart’s cocky attitude. There have also been rumblings of on-set arguments and desires to fight one another, although now they’re talked about in a much more comedic sense. Even though they clashed frequently during filming, that didn’t stop Anderson from inviting him to work on his next project with him, which Reynolds ended up declining. Although the actor came around to liking “Boogie Nights” before his death in 2018, it’s unclear if he did the same for the man who made it.

“The Score” (2001)

There can be such a thing as being too compliant. During moviemaking, the director’s word is usually law. 2001’s “The Score” proved that wasn’t always the case. Marlon Brando seemed to have it out for Frank Oz. He derided him for his previous work with Jim Henson and oftentimes refused to film with him altogether, leading to a two-day period where Oz waited outside. Brando even bizarrely insisted on filming some scenes in his underwear. The degrading behavior was made even sadder when Oz blamed himself and his non-confrontational attitude for the way he’d been treated. While it was commendable to put the production first, we can’t help but wonder if the constant abuse was worth the result.

“Blade Runner” (1982)

Although some feuds between actors and directors seem to last decades, others are resolved more quickly. Harrison Ford has been open about his feelings on “Blade Runner,” explaining how it wasn’t his favorite due to spats with Ridley Scott over having to record a voiceover narration. Ford was angry, as he’d been told up until the last minute that there would be none, and has revealed just how daunting the process was. Scott corroborated this in 2006, confirming that Ford was the most insufferable person he’d worked with at the time. While the two have made it clear they respect one another as artists now, they haven’t worked together on a feature film since, which is most likely for the best.

“The Island of Dr. Moreau” (1996)

Changes to the cast and crew can be inevitable. When John Frankenheimer took over “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” he was initially excited, as he’d been vying for a chance to work with a Hollywood legend like Marlon Brando. However, another actor ended up becoming a thorn in his side. Val Kilmer had issues with the previous director, Richard Stanley, and things didn’t fare better with Frankenheimer, either. He hated the filmmaker’s old-school style and rewrites, leading to him bluntly telling Kilmer he didn’t like him. He later proved his point by reportedly having him thrown off-set following his character’s death. While Kilmer apparently apologized to Stanley for his behavior, he has yet to do the same for Frankenheimer.


MOH-ROW

“The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001)

Legendary actor Gene Hackman and indie icon Wes Anderson went head to head on the set of this 2001 film, with Hackman only years away from an unofficial retirement while Anderson’s creative star was rising considerably among young filmmakers in Hollywood. At the 2011 New York Film Festival, co-stars of “The Royal Tenenbaums” recalled that Hackman apparently told the director to, “pull up his pants and act like a man,” at one point, while being visibly grumpy and verbally combative towards others. Anderson and crew went on to applaud Hackman for his performance in the film, however, giving the actor credit as one of the picture’s main focal points.

“The Birds” (1963)

The combination of Alfred Hitchcock’s formative directing style and the screen presence of a then-unknown Tippi Hedren served as a recipe for success in the classic 1963 film “The Birds.” Behind the scenes, however, Hedren had reportedly been the subject of unwanted romantic advances from Hitchcock, while also being subjected to the grueling physical strain of shooting an attack sequence with real birds. In a 2012 interview with the New York Times, Hedren recalled that Hitchcock wouldn’t let the actress out of her contract with him, thus impeding her career, although she went on to say that she felt fortunate to have worked with the man in hindsight.

“Knocked Up” (2007)

The controversy behind this 2007 comedy by director Judd Apatow stemmed from a 2008 Vanity Fair interview where actress Katherine Heigl referred to “Knocked Up” as “a little sexist,” while simultaneously lamenting how her character was portrayed compared to her male co-stars. Apatow and actor Seth Rogen shot back during a 2009 appearance on the Howard Stern show with Apatow stating that he still hadn’t, at that time, received an apology from Heigl, while Rogen also let loose with his own negative appraisal of the actress. During a 2016 appearance on the Howard Stern show, the radio host discussed the incident with Heigl, pushing the actress to act on her desire to write an apology.

“Justice League” (2017)

This wasn’t just a feud between cast and crew. This was a piece in the downfall of one of the most powerful men in pop culture. Joss Whedon had been revered for his work with the Marvel franchise, making him the seemingly perfect choice to head DC’s “The Justice League” after it was suddenly left without a director. It seemed every cast member had an issue with him, with Ray Fisher flat-out calling him abusive and daring Whedon to sue in retaliation. Gal Gadot corroborated his claims and added that she had to go to his supervisors to handle the situation. Although he denied all the allegations— and even implied Gadot’s were based on a language barrier— his reputation has yet to recover.

“Groundhog Day” (1993)

The creative relationship between actor Bill Murray and actor/director Harold Ramis stretches all the way back to their comedy days in the 1970s, while also including such classic 80s films as “Caddyshack,” “Ghostbusters,” and “Stripes.” It was the 1993 comedy classic “Groundhog Day” which would serve as a point of separation for the duo, however, as creative differences regarding the script as well as Murray’s erratic behavior and tardiness led to a 21 year period during which the two former friends stopped speaking to one another. It wasn’t until Murray visited Ramis prior to his death in 2014 that the two finally made their peace.

“Three Kings” (1999)


Actor George Clooney apparently didn’t take too kindly to the reported abuse David O. Russell was doling out to his crew on the set of “Three Kings,” and took the director to task on his behavior. The result was a physical skirmish between the two men, with Clooney stating at the time that he wouldn’t work with Russell again, although time did ease the tension between them. This wouldn’t be the last incident between Russell and an actor, however, as footage surfaced of the director and actress Lily Tomlin engaged in a vicious war of words on the set of the 2004 film, “I Heart Huckabees.”

“Aguirre, the Wrath of God” (1972)


Klaus Kinski has long been known as difficult to work with on set, yet no director’s experience with the complicated thespian quite rivals that of Werner Herzog. The director’s creative relationship with Kinski may have been fruitful, but it was also violent and traumatic, with 1972’s “Aguirre, the Wrath of God” almost resulting in the deaths of both men. Herzog relates that he even pulled a gun on Kinski at one point, threatening to kill them both, should the actor make good on his threat to leave the picture. The director would even release a full-length documentary about his battles with Kinski in 1999, titled “My Best Fiend,” which expanded on the pair’s complex, explosive relationship.

“American History X” (1998)

Tony Kaye had earned a name for himself shooting television commercials in his native Britain before his 1998 feature film debut, “American History X.” Behind the scenes stories of that film, however, reveal a production that was mired by creative differences in editing, scripting, and even the casting of Edward Norton as the lead. Kaye himself was banned from the editing room after not delivering cuts to the satisfaction of New Line Cinema, and the director even attempted to use to pseudonym of “Alan Smithee” to avoid receiving credit for the final picture. This attempt was blocked, however, on the grounds that Kaye continued to malign his experience with Norton and “American History X” in the press.

“Transformers” (2007)

The 2007 collaboration between actress Megan Fox and director Michael Bay on the first “Transformers” film was a worldwide financial success, but their relationship soured in 2009, after Fox was interviewed by Britain’s Wonderland Magazine. Fox compared Bay’s directing style to infamous dictators Napoleon and Adolf Hitler, while Bay himself commented in GQ Magazine that the actress appeared disinterested and unwilling to work on the set of the film’s 2009 sequel, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” It wasn’t until 2014 on the set of Bay’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” where the two finally ended their feud.

“The Shining” (1980)

Stanley Kubrick has earned a reputation among fans for his well-documented attention to detail and perfectionism, but another aspect of the director’s career that’s earned its own infamous reputation is his on-set relationship with actress Shelley Duvall on the 1980 horror classic, “The Shining.” Duvall recounts her experience on “The Shining” in the 2000 book “The Complete Kubrick” as being “the most difficult role” she’s ever had to play, thanks in part to Kubrick’s seemingly endless requests for more takes, as well as his orders to the crew not to sympathize with her. Duvall further contextualized her experience on “The Shining” to Roger Ebert as “almost unbearable... but from other points of view, really very nice, I suppose.”


Which contentious actor/director duo do you think has made the best work together? Let us know in the comments below.