The feud between actresses, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, was so epic, it’s about to be retold in a soon-to-be-released series on FX. Given the dark twists and turns of their lifelong battle, it seems fitting that the series has Ryan Murphy, of American Horror Story fame, at its helm. While we don’t want to give too much away, we will tell you the first season of Feud covers all the strange goings-on backstage during the filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Murphy has stuck with one of his American Horror Story favorites, casting Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford. Susan Sarandon will be taking on the role of Bette Davis. If you’ve never seen Baby Jane, the black and white film is truly worth a watch. If the storyline isn’t enough to creep you out, keep in mind these words from Bette Davis: “The best time I ever had with Joan was when I pushed her down some stairs in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?”
Will Smith vs. Janet Hubert
You’re probably surprised to see Will Smith on this list. He comes off as a pretty lovable guy. You may be even more surprised to learn that this feud erupted during his young and (supposedly) innocent years starring in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. It was Smith’s co-star, Janet Hubert, who took the lead in the alleged dispute. Fresh Prince fans will know Hubert better as Aunt Vivian. The actress stood up for herself and her fellow cast members in accusing Smith of failing to help them with the negotiation of their salaries. His response was apparently a casual shrug and insistence that they should sort their own deals out the way he did with his.
While it seems like the whole thing meant little to Smith, his co-stars felt differently about it; Hubert in particular. Three seasons in, she left the show and was vocal about her dissatisfaction. In response, Smith remained calm, simply explaining to the press that he was aware of her feelings and the fact that she wouldn’t be shy in expressing them. He recounted a time when he heard her say “I’ve been in the business for ten years and this snotty-nosed punk comes along and gets a show.”
Bette Davis vs. Joan Crawford
This has got to be one of the most epic feuds in Hollywood. Joan Crawford and Bette Davis were both wildly popular, mega-talented actresses. While fans were able to love each woman with equal passion, the pair were never able to get along with each other. Their falling out started, as so many do, over a love triangle. Bette Davis had starred alongside actor, Franchot Tone, in the film Dangerous. She’d also fallen in love with him. Crawford, meanwhile, persuaded Tone to go over to her house for dinner. An innocent enough invitation, apart from the fact that she greeted him at the door buck naked. Tone was understandably smitten and the pair fell in love, much to poor Bette’s dismay.
From that point on, Bette Davis couldn’t disguise her anger, calling Crawford a shallow “mannequin” and comparing her eyes to those of “African caterpillars.” Not one to take insults lying down, Crawford spat back, suggesting Davis “looks like she’s never had a happy day, or night, in her life.” As two of the most popular actresses of their day, the pair competed fiercely for roles until the most perfect casting decision in Hollywood history was made. The women were cast in the dual leading roles of the creepy psychological thriller, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? The story could not have been more perfect for the two, centering around rival film stars who end up stuck in a mansion together, endlessly tormenting each other.
Tom Hardy vs. Shia LaBeof
Tom Hardy and Shia LaBeouf graced the big screen together in the 2012 film, Lawless. While critics were impressed with both of their performances, the pair were certainly not impressed with each other. Lawless director, John Hillcoat, later admitted to having a frustrating amount of drama flying around on set thanks to tension between Hardy and LaBeouf.
In Hillcoat’s own words: “there was definitely a fight between them. It escalated to the point where they had to both be restrained.” When he says “fight,” he may well mean it quite literally. Hardy later claimed he was “knocked out.” However the playful way he said it makes it difficult to know how serious he is and how bad the scuffle really got.
Julia Roberts And George Clooney Had A Falling Out?
Clooney and Roberts were thought to be friends, so it’s hard to know how much credence to give to this rumor. However, sources claimed that Roberts was hesitant to sign on as Clooney’s co-star in Ocean’s 13. With Clooney already on board, and having already appeared in the first two films, it was apparently seen as a sign of disrespect that she was holding out on him.
Countering this rumor, the director of Ocean’s 13, Steven Soderbergh, claimed he was simply taking the storyline in a different direction; one that didn’t involve Roberts’ character. Considering Roberts and Clooney seem to be as tight as they ever were, it seems Soderbergh’s version of events is more likely.