10 Filmmakers Who Blamed Actors For Failed Movies

3. John Schlesinger Blamed Madonna's Diva-Like Behaviour - The Next Best Thing

Like most rom-coms starring musicians-turned-actors, 2000's The Next Best Thing is a deeply terrible film.

Terrible enough that it scooped Madge the Worst Actress Razzie award (her fourth of five wins in the category), while also being nominated for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay and Worst Screen Couple (but losing all three to Battlefield Earth). The box office wasn't much kinder, either.

The film, following the bitter custody battle between a straight woman (Madonna) and gay man (Rupert Everett) who have a child together, was helmed by legendary Oscar-winning filmmaker John Schlesinger (Midnight Cowboy).

Schlesinger clashed with his leading lady throughout production, claiming that Madonna attempted to influence every aspect of the film, even requesting visual effects to make her look more "beautiful."

Furthermore, Schlesinger didn't merely blame Madonna for derailing the movie itself, but also exacerbating his own health issues.

Shortly after shooting was completed, Schlesinger collapsed at home and was diagnosed with heart failure.

He said in a letter to his agent, released after his 2003 death, "I do not for one moment think that [her and producer Tom Rosenberg's] behavior has not added to the reasons I have ended up here." Yikes.