Ever consider how Kevin Costner became the quintessential father figure in the world of film (& television)? This Hollywood heavyweight, known for starring in many flicks has perfectly mastered the essence of fatherhood on screen. From the baseball-loving farmer in Field of Dreams to the heavy-hearted Jonathan Kent in Man of Steel, the Yellowstone star has embodied the archetypal dad with a heart full of empathy & a moral compass.
But let’s flip the script for a moment! Did you know this Oscar-winning actor, 69, once found himself under the simmering gaze of Clint Eastwood on the set of the 1993 crime thriller, A Perfect World? Despite often being cast as the paragon of parental virtues, Costner’s tantrums ballooned a bit too much, leading to a rare moment of tension with Eastwood.
What Went Wrong Between Kevin Costner and Clint Eastwood?
Sure, Clint Eastwood is renowned for his unflappable demeanor, as his longtime cinematographer, Jack Green, revealed. It’s rare to see the director lose his composure (via Esquire).
But even this big screen stalwart had a moment where he found himself at odds with the leading star of his own crime thriller, A Perfect World. So, the man who managed to ruffle Eastwood’s feathers? Well, that’s so because of none other than Kevin Costner.
The trouble began when Eastwood called Costner for a scene, only for the latter to throw a diva-worthy tantrum about not being ready. But, according to Esquire, the acclaimed director didn’t miss a beat. He told the crew to “find his extra and put a shirt on him,” and proceeded to shoot the scene with the stand-in walking through a field.
Costner, feeling the heat of being replaced by an extra, tried to assert his dominance. But Eastwood wasn’t fazed and simply stated:
Never mind. We’re moving on.
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Ergo, you can imagine the tension that might have ensued. Costner, being the leading actor, had a heated exchange with Eastwood about being replaced by an extra. But the latter wasn’t having any of it. His response was:
I get paid to burn film.
In other words, the Unforgiven director, 94, was not about to let a temper tantrum by Costner derail his tight schedule.
How Kevin Costner and Clint Eastwood’s Filmmaking Styles Clashed on Set
Kevin Costner and Clint Eastwood’s clash wasn’t just a one-off; their creative differences extended into the film itself. Interestingly, the latter had originally envisioned a different actor for A Perfect World’s central role—none other than the incredibly talented Denzel Washington.
The director reportedly wanted Washington to step into the shoes of Butch, the escaped convict, but the role wasn’t meant to be.
Washington, at the time, chose to pass on the character, leaving the role for Costner (via TV Tropes). Moreover, Eastwood was all about wrapping up a scene in as few takes as possible. On the flip side, Costner, both as an actor and a filmmaker, was the quintessential perfectionist. He was the kind of guy who wanted to dissect every scene down to its last nuance, often leaving Eastwood’s rapid-fire pace in the dust (see LA Times).
Fortunately, the film was completed on time. Despite the on-set drama and a few bumps along the way, the film didn’t exactly hit the jackpot at the box office. Nevertheless, it still managed to pull in a hefty $135 million worldwide against a $30 million budget (Box Office Mojo). Talk about making a pretty penny despite the odds!