Intense On-Set Moments Where Actors Nearly Fought (Like Josh Brolin and Denzel)

Movie sets are known for being stressful, with creative disagreements and demanding schedules often causing intense conflicts. Though most actors remain professional, sometimes personalities collide, and arguments can even turn physical. Throughout Hollywood history, there are numerous accounts of co-stars who couldn’t stand each other or directors who drove their actors too far. These situations reveal a darker side of the industry, where the illusion of glamour gives way to genuine anger and conflict.

‘American Gangster’ (2007)

Josh Brolin shared a story about a heated disagreement he had with Denzel Washington on set. While filming a confrontational scene, Brolin noticed Washington was altering the script, which caused confusion. Things got so intense that the two almost came to blows, but they were able to resolve the issue and apologize to each other later that day.

‘Three Kings’ (1999)

George Clooney intervened when he saw director David O. Russell verbally berating a member of the film crew. The situation escalated, and Russell actually headbutted Clooney. The two men then grappled with each other before being pulled apart by the production staff. The atmosphere on set stayed tense for the rest of filming.

‘Any Given Sunday’ (1999)

Jamie Foxx and LL Cool J played rival football players in this sports drama. The script called for a physical altercation between their characters. The acting turned real when punches landed harder than intended. Director Oliver Stone kept the cameras rolling while the two men actually fought on the field. They had to be pulled apart by the crew to stop the brawl.

‘The Lords of Flatbush’ (1974)

Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere didn’t get along from the start, and their conflict came to a head during a lunch break in a car. Stallone accused Gere of deliberately dropping greasy chicken on his trousers. This led to Stallone hitting Gere with his elbow and forcing him out of the car. As a result, Gere was replaced in the movie by Perry King.

‘Lawless’ (2012)

As a film buff, I’ve always been fascinated by the story behind ‘Lawless.’ Apparently, Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy really pushed each other while filming – there were even rumors of a real fight! Hardy later said Shia actually knocked him out, which is pretty wild. They’ve both since downplayed it, calling it more like intense, brotherly horseplay that just got out of hand. But honestly, that raw energy definitely came across on screen – you could really feel the complicated relationship between their characters as brothers.

‘Charlie’s Angels’ (2000)

During a rehearsal, Bill Murray allegedly made hurtful comments about Lucy Liu’s acting, leading her to confront him physically. Crew members had to step in and break up the argument. The situation was intense enough that Murray didn’t participate in the movie’s sequel. Liu has later discussed how important it was for her to defend herself at the time.

‘Man on the Moon’ (1999)

It was incredible watching Jim Carrey become Andy Kaufman for the movie. He stayed completely in character the whole time, and honestly, it really got under Jerry Lawler’s skin during their scenes together. Lawler genuinely thought Carrey was messing with him and actually attacked him! Jim ended up needing to go to the hospital after Lawler piledrove him. It was a crazy moment, but the director was thrilled – that raw, unexpected energy was exactly what he was hoping to capture in the film.

‘Annapolis’ (2006)

Okay, so get this – apparently James Franco and Tyrese Gibson actually boxed each other while making this movie! Tyrese has said that Franco wasn’t just going through the motions in their practice fights; he was genuinely hitting him. He felt it was super disrespectful and way too intense. Things got so bad between them that they wouldn’t even talk to each other when the cameras weren’t rolling, and Tyrese has sworn he’ll never work with Franco again. It’s pretty wild to think about that tension on set!

‘Red Planet’ (2000)

During filming, Val Kilmer and Tom Sizemore apparently couldn’t stand each other. The tension was so bad they had to be driven to set in separate cars. Things got even worse when Sizemore supposedly threw a weight at Kilmer, leading Kilmer to refuse to film any scenes with him. The studio ended up using stand-ins for some shots to avoid having them on set together.

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

During the challenging desert filming, Charlize Theron felt uneasy because of Tom Hardy’s actions. After a heated argument, she asked for someone to be present for her safety. Hardy’s frequent tardiness frustrated Theron, who values being on time. This lack of rapport between the two stars made filming very difficult for everyone involved. However, they were able to resolve their issues and apologize to each other after seeing the finished film.

‘The Notebook’ (2004)

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams didn’t get along at first while making the movie. Gosling even asked the director to find someone else to read lines with him, and they had several loud arguments that stopped filming for a while. The director had to step in and help them work through their issues. Surprisingly, they started dating soon after the film finished.

‘Blade: Trinity’ (2004)

During filming, Wesley Snipes and director David Goyer had a very difficult working relationship. Reports say Snipes even tried to physically attack Goyer during a fight. He also became uncooperative, refusing to make eye contact or communicate directly, instead using only Post-it notes. Goyer felt unsafe and had to hire security personnel, including bikers, to protect himself. This tense and negative atmosphere seriously harmed the film’s production.

‘The Abyss’ (1989)

Ed Harris and director James Cameron had a physical altercation on set, reportedly because Harris was punched after nearly drowning during a dangerous filming sequence. While underwater, Harris ran out of air, but Cameron continued shooting instead of immediately helping him. The stressful experience left Harris emotionally shaken; he reportedly broke down in tears while driving home and didn’t discuss the film for years afterward.

‘Chinatown’ (1974)

Faye Dunaway and Roman Polanski clashed repeatedly while filming, particularly over how her character looked. Their disagreements became especially heated – Polanski once pulled a hair from her head without permission, and Dunaway allegedly responded by throwing urine at him. Surprisingly, this intense and unpleasant atmosphere actually enhanced the film’s dark and suspenseful mood. Both actors and the director have later admitted the shoot was very challenging.

‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ (1979)

During filming, Dustin Hoffman unexpectedly slapped Meryl Streep and, without her knowledge, also taunted her about the recent loss of her boyfriend – all in an attempt to elicit a strong emotional reaction for a scene. Streep was deeply upset by Hoffman’s unprofessional and hurtful actions, later characterizing his behavior as abusive and a violation of boundaries.

‘Fury’ (2014)

On the set of the movie, Scott Eastwood and Shia LaBeouf almost came to blows. LaBeouf took offense when Eastwood spit tobacco juice onto the tank prop during filming. Brad Pitt had to step in and prevent a fight. It was later discovered that the script actually called for Eastwood to spit, leading to a simple misunderstanding. This incident highlighted just how seriously the actors were taking their work during the shoot.

‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’ (1962)

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were famous rivals, and their dislike for each other was obvious even in their movies. During filming, things got physical – Davis reportedly kicked Crawford, and Crawford responded by secretly weighing down her pockets during a scene where Davis was supposed to pull her. The movie set was full of small acts of sabotage and nasty rumors leaked to the press. Their conflict remains one of the most well-known feuds in Hollywood history.

‘I Love Trouble’ (1994)

Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte didn’t get along at all from the start. Roberts found Nolte repulsive, and he considered her unpleasant. They wouldn’t work together on set, requiring the filmmakers to use stand-ins instead. This lack of connection showed up on screen in their romantic comedy, and their public appearances together were noticeably tense, with both actors openly criticizing each other.

‘Batman Forever’ (1995)

Tommy Lee Jones bluntly told Jim Carrey he disliked him during a dinner encounter. Carrey had approached Jones to greet him, but the seasoned actor expressed his disapproval of Carrey’s comedic style. Sources say Jones found Carrey’s constant improvising and energetic performance frustrating, creating a tense and awkward atmosphere on set for everyone involved.

‘The Fate of the Furious’ (2017)

Dwayne Johnson publicly criticized some of his male co-stars online, calling them weak. This was largely understood to be aimed at Vin Diesel, stemming from issues they had while filming. The two actors refused to appear in scenes together, and the production team had to keep them separated to avoid a fight. Their ongoing conflict put the entire movie series, which had been very successful, at risk.

‘Cop Out’ (2010)

Director Kevin Smith has said that working with Bruce Willis was incredibly challenging. Willis apparently wouldn’t take direction and even made fun of Smith. The director became so frustrated that he punched a wall in his trailer. At the wrap party, Smith publicly thanked everyone involved in the film except Willis, and the two haven’t collaborated since.

‘Magic Mike’ (2012)

Channing Tatum and Alex Pettyfer didn’t get along during filming. Tatum thought Pettyfer was conceited and didn’t treat the crew with respect. Pettyfer also owed Tatum money – he rented a friend’s apartment from Tatum and never paid. This led to a heated confrontation on set where they almost came to blows. As a result, Pettyfer wasn’t invited back for the next movie.

‘Terminator Salvation’ (2009)

During filming, Christian Bale became extremely angry with cinematographer Shane Hurlbut after Hurlbut accidentally walked into his view during a particularly emotional scene. A recording of Bale yelling and threatening to break the lights was released online. Bale was so upset he even threatened to leave the movie unless Hurlbut was fired. He later issued a public apology for his over-the-top behavior.

‘Fitzcarraldo’ (1982)

Klaus Kinski was notorious for screaming at everyone on set, including director Werner Herzog and the local crew. The situation got so bad that the indigenous chief offered to kill Kinski to restore peace. Herzog, desperate to finish the film, even threatened to harm Kinski and then himself if the actor walked off the job. The making of the movie became more legendary for its danger and chaos than the film itself, and remains a prime example of filmmaking gone wild.

‘Groundhog Day’ (1993)

The making of the film caused a major falling out between Bill Murray and director Harold Ramis. Murray was dealing with a divorce and behaved unpredictably, leading to frequent disagreements with Ramis about the movie’s style and how it should be made. Their arguments became so intense that Ramis physically confronted Murray during one fight, grabbing his collar. The two men didn’t speak to each other for two decades after that.

‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ (1996)

Val Kilmer’s difficult behavior led to the first director being fired, and his clashes continued with the new director, John Frankenheimer. There were even reports of Kilmer injuring a cameraman during a prank. The film set was incredibly chaotic, with actors frequently threatening to quit, and the production is now infamous as one of the most troubled in Hollywood history.

‘Blue Collar’ (1978)

Richard Pryor and director Paul Schrader often clashed, and their disagreements became especially heated when Pryor reportedly threatened Schrader with a gun. The stress of dealing with the actors led Schrader to suffer a mental breakdown. Adding to the turmoil, Yaphet Kotto, a co-star, also got into physical fights with both Pryor and Schrader. This real-life animosity between the performers is actually visible in the film.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2005–)

Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey got into a physical fight on the set of their show. Washington reportedly grabbed Dempsey by the throat during a disagreement about tardiness. The argument escalated when Washington used a homophobic slur directed at a colleague. As a result of this incident, Washington was fired from the popular series. The behind-the-scenes conflict ultimately received as much attention as the show’s actual plotlines.

‘Dynasty’ (1981–1989)

During filming, Joan Collins and Linda Evans had a scene where they fought in a pond. Collins got carried away and began choking Evans, refusing to stop even after the director asked her to. The director ultimately had to stop the scene to protect Evans. The actresses’ real-life dislike for each other often came through in their characters’ conflicts, and this particular scene became the most memorable moment of the show.

‘Desperate Housewives’ (2004–2012)

Sources say Teri Hatcher experienced significant friction with her “Desperate Housewives” co-stars. A Vanity Fair photoshoot became heated due to disagreements about clothing, and Eva Longoria and Marcia Cross reportedly considered leaving a shoot if Hatcher received the most attention. The atmosphere at any event with the whole cast was noticeably strained. When the show ended, Hatcher wasn’t included on a farewell gift the other actresses signed.

‘Castle’ (2009–2016)

Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion completely stopped communicating with each other on set. To salvage the show, producers made them attend couples therapy. Sources say Katic was often found crying in her dressing room, and the difficult atmosphere ultimately led to her not being invited back for a possible ninth season. The show was cancelled very soon after that decision was made.

‘Sex and the City’ (1998–2004)

Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker famously didn’t get along. Cattrall felt left out by the close bond between the other actresses on the show. Adding to the problem, disagreements about how much each actress was paid created more tension. Ultimately, this conflict prevented them from making a third movie together. Cattrall even publicly turned down Parker’s sympathy after a personal loss.

‘The Score’ (2001)

Marlon Brando made filming incredibly difficult. He wouldn’t take direction from Frank Oz, instead constantly calling him “Miss Piggy.” Brando even refused to wear pants, hoping the cameras would only film him from the chest up. This led to Robert De Niro having to step in and direct Brando’s scenes, as Oz was completely barred from the set. The whole experience was a chaotic clash of big personalities and stubborn behavior.

‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ (2001)

Gene Hackman apparently behaved aggressively towards Wes Anderson on set, even telling him to “act like a man” and fix his pants. Bill Murray stepped in to defend Anderson on his days off, as Hackman’s temper frightened the cast and crew. Anderson himself has said he was genuinely scared of Hackman during filming.

‘Maidstone’ (1970)

During filming, actor Rip Torn physically attacked director and fellow actor Norman Mailer with a hammer. The incident was captured on camera, showing Torn hitting Mailer in the head. Mailer retaliated by biting Torn’s ear, causing it to bleed. The genuine and frightening fight deeply disturbed those present, including Mailer’s family, and has become a notorious moment in documentary filmmaking.

‘Terms of Endearment’ (1983)

Debra Winger and Shirley MacLaine famously didn’t get along while filming. There were reports of a very unprofessional incident involving Winger, and rumors of a physical altercation between the two actresses. MacLaine later described the experience as extremely challenging in her autobiography. Despite the tension, both Winger and MacLaine were nominated for Oscars for their performances.

‘Dirty Dancing’ (1987)

Patrick Swayze grew increasingly frustrated with Jennifer Grey during filming. He felt she wasn’t committed to the dance rehearsals, and her frequent laughter caused numerous retakes and made him visibly angry. Ironically, some of that footage showing his annoyance actually made it into the final cut of the movie. By the end of the shoot, their relationship was strained and they had little patience for each other.

‘Charmed’ (1998–2006)

During the third season of the show, Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano didn’t get along, leading to frequent arguments on set. Things got so bad the studio had to bring in someone to help them resolve their issues. Alyssa Milano admitted there were times she didn’t want to go to work. Eventually, Shannen Doherty was fired, and her character was written out of the show. Despite playing sisters on screen, the two actresses had a real-life rivalry.

‘City of Lies’ (2018)

During an argument on set, Johnny Depp is accused of hitting a location manager after being told that filming for the day was over. Reports claim Depp yelled and punched the crew member in the ribs. The location manager subsequently filed a lawsuit against Depp, which caused considerable delays in the film’s release.

2026-01-31 16:25