In the making of the war film Fury, renowned actor Brad Pitt found himself playing a different role off-screen as he stepped in to diffuse a heated exchange between his co-stars Scott Eastwood and Shia LaBeouf.
Released in October 2014, Fury, directed by David Ayer, garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success, amassing over $211 million worldwide and earning a respectable 76% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The movie boasts a star-studded cast that includes Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Scott Eastwood, Logan Lerman, and Jason Isaacs, portraying United States tank crews embroiled in the final stages of World War II, with particular emphasis on the realistic depiction of wartime challenges and conflicts.
The casting process commenced in April 2013, with Pitt and LaBeouf securing roles as ‘Wardaddy’ and ‘Bible,’ respectively.
Eastwood joined the ensemble in August, undertaking the character of Sergeant Miles.
Principal photography primarily unfolded in the UK, following four months of rigorous boot camps conducted by authentic Navy SEALs to ensure the actors were adequately primed for their roles.
Ayer, acclaimed for his work on Training Day, aimed to infuse the film with authenticity, fostering an environment where cast members engaged in physical sparring, exchanged barbs, and shared living spaces within tanks for extended periods.
During filming, tensions inevitably arose, with one notable incident involving LaBeouf and Eastwood nearly escalating into a physical altercation before Pitt intervened.
In an interview with Insider, Eastwood recounted a scene where his character spat tobacco on the tank, triggering a misunderstanding with LaBeouf, who was unaware of the scripted action.
The ensuing confrontation prompted Pitt to step in and defuse the situation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive work atmosphere devoid of conflict or discomfort.
Movie productions often unfold amidst chaos and stress, exacerbated by demanding schedules and taxing conditions that can strain relationships among cast members.
Given the emotionally taxing nature of war-themed projects, such as Fury, it is understandable how tensions could reach a boiling point on set.
Eastwood’s account hints at underlying friction during the filming of Fury, possibly exacerbated by Ayer’s unconventional directorial style.
Despite the on-set discord, Fury emerged as a successful venture, receiving favorable reviews and box office success, underscoring the efficacy of Ayer’s distinctive approach.
While the current status of relations between Eastwood and LaBeouf remains uncertain, their lack of subsequent collaborations and Eastwood’s remarks suggest lingering disapproval of LaBeouf’s conduct during filming.
LaBeouf, preoccupied with his professional commitments, has refrained from addressing the incident publicly.
Nevertheless, the aftermath of the Fury experience appears to have propelled all three actors towards further war-themed projects, with Pitt starring in War Machine and Allied, Eastwood featuring in The Outpost, and LaBeouf appearing in Man Down.
