Certain films appear destined for trouble right from the beginning, beset by mishaps, disagreements, or extraordinary events that turn their production into a living hell. These troubled productions frequently bequeath legends as vivid as the movies themselves, enthralling audiences with accounts of turmoil.
Here, I delve into the backstories of twenty films that experienced setbacks, disagreements, or strange occurrences during production. Ranging from accidents to box office failures, these tales offer a glimpse into the tumultuous making of both well-known and notorious movies.
The Omen (1976)
‘The Omen’ is an eerie horror movie that centers around a child named Damien, who seems to be the Antichrist, with Gregory Peck playing the lead role. The film’s unsettling atmosphere left quite an impact on me, but it seemed as if the production was plagued by a genuine misfortune – three separate incidents occurred: lightning struck the plane carrying Peck, another lightning strike hit the hotel of the director, and a car accident happened involving one of the crew members after they filmed a scene in a cemetery.
During the filming, the lead actor’s dog bit a stuntman, and tragically, a keeper was killed by lions. It’s astonishing that they managed to complete the production amidst such an unsettling whirlwind of incidents.
The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)
‘In the movie titled ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’, Marlon Brando played the role of a rogue scientist crafting half-human, half-animal creatures. The storyline was peculiar and piqued my interest, but the overall filmmaking process seemed disorganized. Initially, Richard Stanley helmed the project, only to be dismissed prematurely, with John Frankenheimer stepping in instead. This change led to creative disagreements, as Frankenheimer found himself at odds with Brando’s unusual requests, such as donning ice buckets on his head.’
In my perspective, the tumultuous onslaught of hurricanes disrupted the Australian production, while Val Kilmer’s unpredictable antics caused quite a stir among the cast. It seemed to me that this turbulent energy seeped into the movie, transforming it into an intriguingly peculiar cult classic.
World War Z (2013)
The movie ‘World War Z,’ featuring Brad Pitt, was an epic about zombies as he battled a worldwide epidemic. I found its thrilling action sequences captivating, but the production process was incredibly challenging. For instance, Hungarian officials confiscated 85 prop guns during filming due to legal complications, causing delays. Additionally, the budget escalated to an astonishing $200 million due to multiple reshoots.
The initial 40-minute conclusion was discarded following negative feedback from test viewers, necessitating a revision. It’s remarkable how Brad Pitt and director Marc Forster managed to salvage the project, as its success was touch-and-go.
Jaws (1975)
The movie ‘Jaws’ gave me a chilling experience due to its exhilarating scenes involving shark hunts, orchestrated by Roy Scheider. Despite numerous obstacles, Steven Spielberg’s magnum opus experienced continuous challenges. The mechanical shark, known as Bruce, frequently malfunctioned, compelling Spielberg to focus more on suspenseful cinematography that ultimately became legendary.
Delays due to storms caused difficulties for the sailors, who experienced seasickness. These hardships, in my opinion, contributed to ‘Jaws’ becoming a taut, timeless masterpiece, but the team endured significant sacrifices.
Waterworld (1995)
In my opinion, ‘Waterworld’ was an enthralling post-apocalyptic journey that had me gripped from start to finish, with Kevin Costner portraying a nomad navigating a watery Earth. The film’s grand vision captivated me, but the production expenses skyrocketed to an astonishing $175 million – a record-breaking figure back then. Tragically, the elaborate sets were lost in Hawaiian storms, and we came perilously close to losing one of our stunt performers to a near-drowning incident.
In their collaboration, Kevin Costner and director Kevin Reynolds had disagreements that eventually led to Reynolds departing, leaving Costner to oversee the remaining direction of the project. Despite being impressed by the movie’s grandeur, its troublesome production almost brought about Universal Studios’ downfall.
Cleopatra (1963)
The movie ‘Cleopatra’ featured Elizabeth Taylor as the captivating Egyptian queen. I found myself enchanted by its opulence, yet it turned out to be a financial catastrophe, with an initial cost of $44 million – equivalent to approximately $400 million in today’s currency. Her health issues postponed filming, and her romantic involvement with fellow actor Richard Burton ignited controversy.
After relocating from London to Rome, the sets had to be reconstructed because of the weather conditions, and director Joseph Mankiewicz faced challenges with an overly complex script. Remarkably, it managed to be completed despite these difficulties.
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)
As a movie critic, I found myself captivated by the long-awaited masterpiece, “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote,” directed by the tenacious Terry Gilliam. This film, which stars Adam Driver, was a labor of love that spanned an astonishing 25 years due to unforeseen circumstances. In 2000, floods ravaged the sets, and a lead actor’s injury forced us to pause production on our initial attempt.
Despite numerous instances where funding collapsed and continuous lawsuits over rights post-release, I must commend Terry Gilliam’s tenacity. From the very beginning, it seemed as if this movie was doomed by some sort of misfortune.
The Revenant (2015)
‘Watching ‘The Revenant’ left me amazed, particularly due to Leonardo DiCaprio’s powerful portrayal of a vengeful frontiersman. Filming this movie in Canada and Argentina was no easy task, with temperatures dropping as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in injuries among the crew and malfunctions in equipment.’
Leonardo DiCaprio went through the challenging experience of consuming uncooked bison liver and staying inside animal remains for authenticity, which brought him close to his limits. I believe this struggle contributed to the intense feel of the movie, but it was a tough and taxing process.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
As a film enthusiast, let me tell you that Mad Max: Fury Road left me spellbound with its non-stop action, masterfully orchestrated by Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron. The genius of George Miller was not without its price; the Namibian desert shoot posed challenges in the form of sandstorms and scorching heat, causing damage to our equipment and pushing back production schedules.
The disagreements between Hardy and Theron on set resulted in a palpable tension, causing the production cost to soar to an impressive $150 million. Despite this challenging experience, I am captivated by the dynamic energy of the finished film. It’s clear that the cast and crew truly went through a difficult ordeal to bring it to life.
The Abyss (1989)
‘James Cameron’s film, titled ‘The Abyss’, was an extraordinary underwater science-fiction adventure starring Ed Harris as the captain of a deep-sea diving team. The visuals in this movie left me spellbound, but making it was no easy task. Actors endured long hours submerged in cold, chlorinated water, facing potential hypothermia, and during one dive, Harris came perilously close to drowning.’
As a movie enthusiast, immersing myself in the making of such cinematic masterpieces is always a thrill. However, when it comes to the underwater set of “Avatar” leaking and James Cameron’s relentless demands that pushed the crew to their limits, I can’t help but feel a tinge of horror. Despite the film’s groundbreaking ambition, the production was nothing short of a living nightmare for everyone involved.
Fitzcarraldo (1982)
‘Fitzcarraldo’, directed by Werner Herzog, tells the extraordinary tale of Klaus Kinski’s character hauling a steamer across a mountain. The daring narrative captivated me, but the Peruvian rainforest filming was nothing short of disorderly. Kinski’s fiery temper often ignited conflicts, and at one point, a local tribe threatened Herzog with violence against Kinski.
The aircraft met with an accident, resulting in injuries to the crew, and a pandemic hit the production location. Remarkably, Herzog managed to complete the project, and the film’s intense vitality mirrors its troubled origins.
Heaven’s Gate (1980)
The film titled ‘Heaven’s Gate,’ featuring Kris Kristofferson in a Western setting, was produced by United Artists, but unfortunately, it ended up bankrupting the studio due to its high production cost of $44 million. Despite finding the movie’s ambition captivating, the final product turned out to be a catastrophe. The director, Michael Cimino, was notorious for his excessive perfectionism, which resulted in numerous retakes – one scene was shot as many as 50 times.
Criticisms about animal mistreatment and financial mismanagement led to negative publicity, which ultimately caused the movie to bomb at the box office. In my opinion, Cimino’s concept was innovative, yet the disorder that ensued contributed to its downfall.
The Exorcist (1973)
‘Watching ‘The Exorcist’ left me truly frightened, especially since Linda Blair portrayed a tormented girl possessed by demons. The film’s horror was exceptional, and the set seemed eerily haunted itself. Unfortunately, a fire damaged the main set, causing delays in production. Additionally, several actors were injured during filming, with Ellen Burstyn sustaining an injury that left her with permanent back problems.’
The team shared accounts of strange occurrences, such as mysterious equipment malfunctions. I’m convinced that the movie’s unsettling aura stemmed from its turbulent production, adding an extra layer of spookiness to it.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
‘Francis Ford Coppola’s magnum opus, ‘Apocalypse Now’, is set during the Vietnam War and stars Martin Sheen. The film’s intense portrayal left a profound impact on me, yet its production in the Philippines was nothing short of chaotic. Typhoons ravaged sets, Sheen suffered a heart attack, and Marlon Brando unexpectedly arrived ill-prepared, necessitating script revisions.’
The budget for the project more than quadrupled to an impressive $31 million, and Coppola came close to losing his mental stability during this process. Despite my admiration for the film’s complex layers, creating it seemed like a harrowing journey into insanity.
The Crow (1994)
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I found myself captivated by the haunting narrative of ‘The Crow’. Portraying a resurrected crusader, Brandon Lee brought the character to life in a way that resonated deeply with me. The film’s brooding atmosphere drew me in, but fate had other plans. Tragically, during production, an accident involving a prop gun claimed Lee’s life, abruptly halting the project and casting an ominous pall over the entire production.
On set, the team encountered accidents and bolt-related incidents, sparking whispers about curses. Despite this, I’m in awe of the movie’s completion. Regrettably, Lee’s departure casts a shadow over its lasting impact.
Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)
‘The movie titled “Twilight Zone” was a collective work of four different directors, however, it was stained by a tragic event. In the sequence overseen by John Landis, a helicopter accident took the lives of actor Vic Morrow and two young actors, sparking lawsuits and safety improvements.’
The incident cast a dark shadow over the movie, and I found myself feeling uncomfortable while viewing it, given the high price tag associated with it. The disarray on the set turned this production into a somber landmark in cinematic history.
Poltergeist (1982)
The movie ‘Poltergeist’ gave me quite a scare with its suburban brand of terror, masterfully directed by Tobe Hooper. It gained notoriety for a supposed curse that seemed to follow it after several tragic deaths. Tragically, actress Dominique Dunne was murdered by her partner, and Heather O’Rourke, the young star of the trilogy, passed away during its production.
The use of actual bones as props contributes to the spooky atmosphere, making the actors uncomfortable. I truly enjoy the shivers this movie gives me, yet the sad events seem like a genuine misfortune.
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
‘The Silent Masterwork, “The Passion of Joan of Arc,” showcases an eerie portrayal by Renée Falconetti. Her acting resonated deeply within me, yet the production was harsh. Director Carl Dreyer pushed Falconetti relentlessly, capturing intense scenes of her torment on film.’
As a film enthusiast, I’ve come across an extraordinary tale. Originally, the masterpiece was lost to flames, leaving director Dreyer no choice but to piece it together using leftover footage. The breathtaking outcome leaves me spellbound, yet the pain of its creation still lingers in the production process.
Roar (1981)
The film ‘Roar’ starring Tippi Hedren and 150 untamed big cats is a cult classic that intrigued me, yet its production was chaotic. More than 70 cast and crew members sustained injuries from lions and tigars, with the cinematographer, Jan de Bont, requiring 120 stitches to heal a scalp wound.
The movie production spanned over a period of 11 years, with a budget of $17 million, yet it failed to gain popularity. Remarkably, I can’t help but be amazed that anyone made it through such an ordeal. However, the film’s uncanny portrayal of danger is something one will never forget.
Titanic (1997)
‘Titanic’, directed by James Cameron, is a grand romantic tale featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. I found its heartrending love narrative captivating, but the film’s massive $200 million budget was marred by numerous setbacks. Crew members were injured when someone laced the soup with PCP, and Winslet had a close call with drowning during water sequences.
In Cameron’s persistence, the cast found themselves stretched to their limits, and the studio grew increasingly worried about financial overspending. It seems that the movie’s success was achieved at an extremely high personal toll.
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2025-07-13 21:15