Robert De Niro’s Most Traumatic Film Shoot Got here From A Wild Marlon Brando Request – SlashFilm – The Imperial Wire Insider

Director Frank Oz’s 2001 heist movie “The Rating” is a laidback affair that is extra notable for its informal forged interactions than its heist procedurals. The film facilities on Nick (Robert De Niro), a crackerjack safecracker who’s contacted by a younger hotshot named Jack (Edward Norton) a few probably profitable heist involving a uncommon and useful scepter. Nick does not like speaking to Jack, nonetheless, as he often will get his heist jobs from an previous affiliate named Max (Marlon Brando). The scenes between Nick and Max are affable and relatable, and it is definitely one thing to see De Niro and Brando sharing the display. Certainly, cineastes might wiggle of their seats seeing Vito Corleone from “The Godfather” straight work together with Vito Corleone from “The Godfather Half II.” (And Norton is not any slouch, both.)

It appears, although, that Brando was very demanding on the set of “The Rating.” As Oz instructed Time in 2001 (by way of The Guardian), Brando would typically mock director Oz for his historical past working with the Muppets. As his followers know, the person voiced and operated Miss Piggy and plenty of different puppet characters in his lengthy and prolific profession. (Oz has additionally stated that Disney hasn’t requested him again to play with the Muppets since buying the property, for these questioning why he stopped.)

Brando additionally reportedly refused to speak to Oz on set since he did not look after his directing model, and even requested De Niro to direct sure scenes. Talking on the 2018 Marrakech Movie Competition (by way of Selection), De Niro recalled the day Brando forcibly wrenched directing duties from Oz and positioned them in his fingers. De Niro admitted that he wasn’t ready to direct “The Rating,” describing it as one of many extra disturbing moments of his profession.

The scene in query was one wherein Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando appeared collectively. De Niro wasn’t a neophyte to calling the photographs on a movie, having directed Chazz Palminteri within the 1993 film “A Bronx Story” by then, so he knew what to do behind a digital camera. The issue with “The Rating” is that De Niro was additionally anticipated to be in entrance of it on the similar time … proper subsequent to Brando. It was solely a five-page scene, however it was nonetheless intimidating for De Niro to, fairly immediately, be appearing and directing on the similar time. He gutted it out, nonetheless, saying: 

“Marlon was upset with the director and he needed me to direct a scene. […] I used to be terribly anxious earlier than we began taking pictures it, after which it was nice.”

Certainly, the scene got here out effectively, and that was that. 

So, what was the meat that Brando had with Frank Oz? In line with a 2023 article printed by Far Out Journal, Brando merely hated taking route. Evidently Oz had requested Brando to “deliver it down” in a single scene, which solely received a hearty “f*** you” from Brando. Brando in the end took the route in that occasion, however tensions remained excessive all through the shoot. Basically, De Niro’s route was a method to mitigate any additional battle. Oz later admitted that he was maybe a bit of too belligerent with Brando (which the actor did not reply effectively to), stating that the strain was largely his personal fault.