10 Ridiculous Ways Actors Were TRICKED Into Movie Roles
9. Dogville - Paul Bettany Was Promised A 24-Hour Party Set
When asked why he joined the cast of Lars Von Trier's Dogville, Paul Bettany blamed co-star and friend Stellan Skarsgard. Skarsgard had fibbed that life on set was like a 24 hour party: a wonderful, once in a lifetime kind of experience. After turning up to shoot, however, Bettany realised he'd been the victim of a cruel prank.
A grim, experimental film studying the rise of evil in a small town, Dogville has been hailed as both a masterpiece and unwatchable depending on who one asks. Controversial as ever, Von Trier was apparently incredibly unpleasant to his actors. Bettany himself has never watched the film, citing the misery of his experience on set as why.
When asked what he thought of Von Trier's direction, Bettany revealed, "He just stands there and says: "Louder! Louder! Do it louder!" That's the extent of your collaboration."
Bettany eventually confronted Skarsgard about his trickery with the latter admitting the film was a struggle and he wanted to have a friend on set.
Several of the films on this list proved to be career low points for the actors involved. Dogville is an exception. Whilst it may've been a grim undertaking to work on, the final product is a fascinating and gritty piece of tragic cinema.
Bettany turns in an excellent performance to boot, even if it did come at the expense of his well being for a while.