Brad Pitt's behavior on the set of his 1994 Western film 'Legends Of The Fall' has been described as 'volatile' by director Ed Zwick.
In a passage from his recently published memoir, 'Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood', Zwick, who is now 71 years old, reflects on his tumultuous connection with the renowned Hollywood actor, who is 60 years old.
Brad Pitt's Behavior on 'Legends Of The Fall' Shooting
The filmmaker described Brad Pitt as someone who becomes volatile when provoked and becomes tense before shooting scenes that require him to display intense emotions, according to an excerpt published by Vanity Fair, as per Daily Mail.
Filmmaker Ed Zwick has provided a candid glimpse into the tumultuous relationship between himself and actor Brad Pitt during the production of the 1994 cinematic masterpiece 'Legends Of The Fall.' In his forthcoming memoir, 'Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood,' Zwick delves into the intricate challenges encountered while collaborating with the acclaimed Hollywood heartthrob.
Now, Zwick reflects on the complexities of his collaboration with Brad Pitt, who assumed the pivotal role of Tristan Ludlow following Tom Cruise's departure from the project. In an excerpt published by Vanity Fair, Zwick unveils the alleged volatility exhibited by Pitt on set, particularly when confronted with emotionally charged scenes.
The memoir recounts pivotal moments where Pitt's demeanor reportedly clashed with the demands of the production. Zwick reveals an instance where Pitt's agent conveyed the actor's desire to depart from the project after the initial table read, leaving the responsibility of assuaging Pitt's concerns to producer Marshall Herskovitz.
"It was the first augury of the deeper springs of emotion roiling inside Brad," Zwick reflects in his memoir. "He seems easygoing at first, but he can be volatile when riled, as I was to be reminded more than once as shooting began and we took each other's measure."
Zwick further explores the disparities in interpretation between himself and Pitt regarding the character of Tristan. Pitt's upbringing, characterized by restrained emotional expression, contrasted with Zwick's vision, which emphasized the portrayal of profound grief, according to Variety.
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Brad Pitt and Zwick's On-Set Confrontations
"Brad had grown up with men who held their emotions in check," Zwick observes. "I believed the point of the [Legends Of The Fall] novel was that a man's life was the sum of his griefs."
The memoir delves into instances of confrontation on set, including a notable altercation witnessed by the crew, where Pitt allegedly challenged Zwick's direction. Despite these conflicts, Zwick underscores the resilience of their professional relationship, emphasizing Pitt's unwavering commitment to delivering his best performance.
"Even when the director and the actor would 'blow up' at each other, they would eventually 'make up and mean it,'" Zwick writes. "Brad is a forthright, straightforward person, fun to be with and capable of great joy."
Following the conclusion of filming, tensions lingered as Pitt reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the final edit of the film, particularly concerning the portrayal of his character's madness.
"When I showed Brad the final film, he wasn't pleased," Zwick acknowledges. "He felt I'd underplayed his character's madness."
Zwick's memoir offers a nuanced exploration of the intricacies inherent in director-actor collaborations within the realm of Hollywood filmmaking. As "Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood" nears its release on Feb. 13, audiences eagerly anticipate further insights into the esteemed director's illustrious career and his experiences navigating the complex dynamics of the industry, Indie Wire reported.
