Josh Brolin Is Right About Difficult Actors
Many times on major movie productions, stories wind up coming out about certain actors being temperamental and even quite challenging for the cast and crew to collaborate with. That kind of behavior has in many instances seemingly become an accepted part of the profession. But actor Josh Brolin has recently turned his hand to directing and he is publicly making his stance clear that he thinks actors getting away with that kind behavior is complete nonsense.
Brolin Isn’t Buying It
“Especially people who won’t come to the set and that kind of sh*t,” Josh Brolin said. “If there’s a good reason, I get it, but if you’re just an irritated actor because you’re so creative or sensitive, I just don’t buy it.”
It is unclear if Josh Brolin has any particular actors in mind that he may have worked with over the years or is just commenting on anecdotes he heard about other sets. Jared Leto is somebody who developed an unfavorable reputation following his method acting as The Joker on the set of Suicide Squad.
Leto got so into character that he reportedly even sent dead animals to other actors on the set as a way to feel like he was staying in character.
Directing Outer Range
Johnny Depp is another actor with a reputation as being a challenge to work with. For the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, he reportedly would show up late for filming, leading to added expenses for extra filming days required to accommodate him.
Though it is unclear who exactly Josh Brolin had in mind as he did not name anyone specifically during his statement.
These comments came up in regard to Josh Brolin switching up his roles lately, going from an actor to a director.
Brolin wound up being tapped to direct episode six of the TV series Outer Range, and he credits receiving that opportunity to his reputation for professionalism that he has cultivated in the industry.
Brolin Won’t Tolerate It
“When I first met [showrunner] Charles Murray, we just got on right away,” said Josh Brolin. “He was like, ‘You’re directing six.’ I went, ‘OK.’ That’s how it happened. It wasn’t like, ‘Hey, do you trust me with directing?’ He’s like, ‘No, I’ve seen the stuff that you’ve done. I’ve spent enough time with you, and this is your niche.’ But it was great.”
There have certainly been ample examples over the years of actors who are reportedly uncooperative on movie sets. However, many of those actors have been deemed too high value to stop working with, or have had their behavior excused by saying they just have their own special process that they use to work.
It sounds as if Josh Brolin is not a director who would tolerate that kind of an attitude on a production that he was a part of.
No One Should Have To Deal With Jerks
Realistically, other cast and crew should not have to deal with difficult actors. It is the kind of thing that actors are only able to get away with due to their wealth and status that affords them special treatment.
Josh Brolin is absolutely correct that if so many other actors can get their jobs done on movie sets without acting that way, there really should be no exceptions. If it would get a lesser known actor fired for behaving that way, it should not be hand waved away when a big star does it either.
Haters Gonna Hate
Unfortunately, Josh Brolin is only one person. While he can now set the tone for what he finds acceptable on projects he directs, he cannot tell others how to run their sets.
As long as some directors are willing to excuse difficult behavior, it will continue to occur in movies. But perhaps it is some relief to others to know that Brolin makes one more name who does not want that behavior to be normalized.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
