10 Actors Who Had Too Much Creative Control

Perhaps one of the most famous disputes between an actor and director in the history of cinema, it is fair to say that the relationship between Klaus Kinski and Werner Herzog was contentious. The film, which is set in 1560, follows Spanish solider Lope de Aguirre (Kinski) as he guides a group of conquistadors to find El Dorado.

As both men had divergent visions on how the character of Aguirre would be played, it was inevitable that they would clash. While Herzog wanted the character to be portrayed in a clam and collected manner, Kinski saw him more as a raving lunatic who would have violent outbursts. Kinski would often walk off of set because Herzog wouldn't agree with him. Herzog would respond by purposefully making Kinski mad and then roll the cameras.

At one stage, Kinski got mad and shot a gun at a tent where members of the crew were playing cards. Much of the crew were naturally afraid of Kinski due to these violent eruptions. Once after walking off, Kinski only returned to set after Herzog threatened to shoot him and then turn the gun on himself. Talk about a troubled production.

The battle between the two men is the subject of the film My Best Friend, directed by Herzog.