Brad Pitt didn't like one of his earliest roles, according to director Ed Zwick.
In an excerpt from " Hit, Flop, and Other Fantasy," a new book published by Vanity Fair , Zwick recalls the making of the 1994 Western "Legends of the Fall," in which Pitt starred.
The film is adapted from Jim Harrison's 1979 novella of the same name, which tells the story of an isolated family in Montana over the course of 50 years. In addition to Pitt, Legend of the Fall also stars Anthony Hopkins, Julia Ormond and Aidan Quinn.
Zwick writes in his book that Pitt's "discomfort" with the film began early in production and nearly caused him to abandon the project.
Brad Pitt 'wants to quit'
"His agent called the studio and said Brad wanted out. Marshall (Herskovits, the film's producer) was responsible for talking Brad out of the situation," Zwick wrote. "The incident was never mentioned again, but it was the first sign of the emotions that were brewing deep inside Brad."
The Fall Tales director went on to claim that Pitt "appeared very easy-going at first" but "became emotionally unstable when provoked" during filming.
“One afternoon I started shouting instructions to him in front of the crew,” Zwick recalled of an on-set argument. "Brad shot back at me and yelled at me to stay back."
"I don't know who yelled first, who swore, or who threw the first chair," Zwick continued in an excerpt published by Vanity Fair , revealing that "this was not the last" disagreement between the two.
Brad 'not happy' with cut scene
As for why Pitt was "dissatisfied" with the final film, Zwick believes his dissatisfaction can be traced to deleted scenes.
“I only cut one shot of the scene where Tristan (Pitt) is having a fever and he’s screaming as the waves wash over him,” Zwick recalled in his book. "It was a shot that he really liked, but it wasn't enough to keep it and I should have kept it. Sorry, Brad."
Despite the tension on set, Zwick and Pitt are on better terms today. "It was never personal," the director added. “Brad is a straightforward, straightforward guy who is fun to be around and brings a lot of joy.”
