The life of a movie star can seem glamorous and carefree before you hear it straight from the horse’s mouth. As we’ve seen, it takes a great deal of effort, sacrifice, and hard work, often to the point that they hurt themselves and almost abandon a film.
But it’s their commitment that keeps them there, and finally it all pays off, and those iconic scenes are greeted with rapturous applause. We’ve assembled a list of some of the most difficult times in the lives of well-known Hollywood actors.
1. The Revenant: Leonardo DiCaprio’s journey to winning an Oscar
Leonardo DiCaprio has acknowledged that his character in The Revenant was the most difficult role he has ever played. The star is a proud vegan, but the script forced him to eat a raw bison liver on camera at one point in order to stay alive.
2. Michelle Rodriguez and the unwelcome love triangle in The Quick and the Furious
Rodriguez became enraged after reading the script and learning that her character, Letty Ortiz, was meant to betray Dom for Brian. She didn’t believe an alpha woman would abandon an alpha man for a pretty boy. She was ready to leave because she thought the scriptwriter had failed to do justice to her part. Thankfully, the director rewrote the script to include Dom’s niece, Mia.
3. Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Where Ridley chose to awaken her Force instead
Daisy Ridley had a panic attack on the first day of filming Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and the director, J.J Abrams, took notice and even left her a note that she would never forget.
Ridley, he said, was “wooden.” The actress was still struggling to overcome her stage fright, to the point that she considered leaving the franchise, but she finally overcame her fears and started filming.
4. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?: What’s eating Johnny Depp?
Johnny Depp had a difficult time working on this film because the plot was so similar to his own personal experience at the time. At the moment, he was a heavy drinker.
He was slowly eroding due to some creative friction between him and the director. Depp was so enraged by Gilbert’s treatment of his mother that he had to refer to the actress as “a beached whale.” He also called her afterward to apologise.
5. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Gandalf let Ian McKellen pass
Ian McKellen had to work alone on the green screen in the film. He had a nervous breakdown because he was so lonely. Director Peter Jackson, on the other hand, was quick to step in and ensure that assistance was available. To entice him to stay, the crew planned a “Gandalf Appreciation Day” and adorned his tent with Lord of the Rings mementos.
6. The Godfather: An offer Al Pacino would have easily refused
For the sequel, Al Pacino was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Best Actor. However, the directors were dealing with a completely different situation at the time of filming. Al Pacino could sense their reluctance to work with him while on set. They were so harsh with him that he was on the verge of quitting. However, director Francis Ford Coppola stepped in and backed him up, telling the producers to back off.
7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas: How the military saved Jim Carrey
The makeup sessions for the film were so demanding that some of them lasted up to three and a half hours per day. Jim Carrey finally felt like he was being tortured by his extended sitting. With it, he also had to put on those green, Frisbee-like eye lenses. Carrey was about to give up when producer Brian Grazer called up a friend who used to be a CIA trainer and invited him to spend the weekend with him. He then resumed filming for the film.
8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Jennifer Lawrence’s unbearable costumes and difficult scenes
The sewer scene took three weeks to film, and the actors had to wear a 20-pound suit that added to the difficulty. Lawrence was on the verge of quitting due to the excruciating sewage temperatures.
9. Batman: Uneasiness lasted the whole time for Michael Keaton
Superhero costumes are now highly tailored to suit the actors and to be worn comfortably during the shoot. However, Keaton’s mask was so confining that he became claustrophobic, and the filming came to a halt. Despite his fears, he overcame them and gave an outstanding performance in this legendary role.
10. Wayne’s World: No Bohemian Rhapsody? No Mike Myers
Mike Myers wrote the film’s screenplay and was particularly enthusiastic about the scene in which he headbangs with the boys to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The studio, however, did not want this song and instead considered a cheaper alternative, such as a Guns n’ Roses song.
If Myers’ song was substituted, he complained and threatened to leave. He considered the song to be crucial. Both were held after the studio caved in.
11. Maze Runner: The Death Cure: Dylan O’Brien endured till the end
Dylan was involved in a horrific accident while shooting the movie, which resulted in numerous bone fractures, lacerations, and a concussion. The movie was postponed for a long time as a result of this, and it was finally released in 2018. Dylan insisted on continuing to act after the accident, and after being cured, he was able to finish filming the script.
12. The Shining: Shelley Duvall had it rough
Director Stanley Kubrick is known for being a perfectionist, and he insisted on shooting a few scenes in multiple takes for this film, which caused Shelley Duvall to have a nervous breakdown.
Duvall was almost dehydrated as a result of all the weeping and fatigue later on.
13. Batman Returns: Michelle Pfeiffer’s uncomfortable costume
Michelle acknowledged that putting on Catwoman’s mask, which was made of silicone, took some extra effort. When she took it off, it took hours and lots of baby powder to keep it from sticking to her face. Because of this, she couldn’t go to the bathroom while wearing the costume. It was also difficult for her to breathe in it, causing her to pass out many times.
14. The Reunion: Seems like John Cena has some fears too
This film required John Cena to perform several stunts, which he decided to save for one. It was a scene in which he had to perform a helicopter stunt, which was difficult for him because he is afraid of heights. Yet, finally, Cena did the stunt — he despised it, but he went ahead and did it anyway.
15. Knock Knock: an awkward intimate scene for Keanu Reeves
This film featured an intimate scene involving the director’s wife, Lorenza Izzo, which made the lead actor, Keanu Reeves, very uncomfortable. Nonetheless, he maintained a high level of professionalism, and the producer, Eli Roth, made things easier for everyone by placing his confidence in the cast.
16. Revolutionary Road: Kate Winslet was reluctant to kiss Leo
The film’s producer, Sam Mendes, was present, and there was an odd awkwardness when Kate had to kiss another man in his presence. Leo and Sam, on the other hand, appeared unconcerned. Kate later revealed that she was held back by her own doubts, but the scene was a hit, and she went on to win the Golden Globe for best actress.
