10 Directors Who Nearly Killed Their Actors

1. Werner Herzog Considered Having Klaus Kinski Murdered

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPKODzv1PD4 While most of the entries on this list would have resulted in an actor being killed because their director was overzealous or reckless, here's the one example of a director who seriously considered having his impossible leading man murdered for his insubordination. The tumultuous (but brilliant) working relationship between Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski is widely documented for its various ups and downs, and this reached an apex on the set of Herzog's Fitzcarraldo. As if pulling a giant, 320-ton steam-liner over a giant hill wasn't enough of a challenge, apparently getting Kinski to behave himself was somehow even more daunting. His famously ego-maniacal outbursts were so out of control that one of the film's extras, a native Chief, offered to murder Kinski for Herzog. However, Herzog begrudgingly appreciated his leading man's worth, though confesses that he did seriously contemplate the invitation, and the next time Kinski began acting out, he immediately regretted his refusal. Which crazy production story is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.