Actors Who Reportedly Can’t Stand Each Other: Behind-the-Scenes Drama You Didn’t See On Screen

Hollywood often presents a glamorous and seamless image of collaboration, but behind the scenes, things aren’t always as perfect. While some co-stars become lifelong friends, others struggle just to make it through a shoot without tension. Here are a few famous cases where on-screen chemistry masked serious off-screen conflict.

Rachel Zegler & Gal Gadot: A Snow White Standoff

One of the most talked-about feuds in recent memory involves Snow White co-stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. Rumors began circulating about political differences between the two actresses, which reportedly intensified during the film’s promotional phase.

Gadot publicly criticized those who remained silent about acts of violence, while Zegler posted a politically charged message alongside promotional material for the film. Some fans interpreted Zegler’s comments as a veiled jab at Gadot, leading to online backlash and even threats against Gadot. As a result, Disney reportedly increased her security and scaled back the film’s promotional tour, cancelling major events like the London premiere.

Industry insiders claim the studio was already anticipating controversy around the film, but the rising tension between its leads became a serious PR concern — one that may have hurt the film's already shaky reputation.

Tom Hardy & Charlize Theron: Fury on the Set

While Mad Max: Fury Road was praised by audiences and critics alike, the set was reportedly a warzone. Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron clashed frequently during production, to the point where Theron allegedly requested a mediator be assigned to help them communicate.

Years later, both actors opened up about the tension. Theron admitted the pressure was overwhelming, and Hardy confessed he was emotionally unprepared for the role at the time. “She needed a better, more experienced partner,” he said in a 2020 interview.

Things escalated further when Hardy showed up three hours late to set one day, leading to a heated confrontation. In the 2022 book Blood, Sweat & Chrome, Theron revealed she often felt genuinely afraid of Hardy during filming — a far cry from the explosive partnership audiences saw on screen.

Claire Danes & Leonardo DiCaprio: Trouble in Verona

Even the beloved 1996 adaptation of Romeo + Juliet wasn’t immune to drama. According to crew members, Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio did not get along during filming. Danes reportedly found DiCaprio’s behavior on set immature, while he considered her too uptight. While they managed to deliver a convincing performance on screen, the real-life chemistry was far from romantic.

Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio

In Romeo + Juliet (1996), their on-screen chemistry was electric—but off-screen, things were icy. Leo joked around constantly on set, while Claire took the role very seriously. He thought she was boring, and she thought he was immature. They barely spoke to each other and never worked together again. Interestingly, Claire reportedly turned down the role of Rose in Titanic—possibly because of the tension with DiCaprio—though officially, she said she was just tired of filming abroad.

Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling

During the filming of The Notebook, they couldn’t stand each other at first. Gosling even asked the director to replace McAdams. But after a heated argument behind the scenes, something shifted—and they ended up falling in love. The couple dated for three years.

Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker

The Sex and the City leads clashed over pay and didn’t speak to each other on set. Later, Kim publicly accused Sarah of being insincere, refused to take part in the reboot, and made it clear: they were never friends.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni

After filming It Ends With Us, Blake accused her co-star of harassment. Baldoni responded with a $400 million countersuit. The legal battle is still ongoing.

Blake Lively and Armie Hammer

While filming Gossip Girl, rumors swirled that there was tension between the two. Hammer hinted that he was written out of the show at Blake’s request.

Blake Lively and Leighton Meester

On screen, they were best friends. In real life? Not so much. Blake often joked in a way that crossed the line, and Leighton took it personally. They never followed each other on social media, and their relationship remained distant.

Jennifer Aniston and Jay Mohr

On the set of Picture Perfect, Aniston was reportedly unhappy that the male lead wasn’t a bigger star. Mohr later said he used to go home from set and cry because of how she treated him.

Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp: “The Tourist” Without the Chemistry

The Tourist (2010) had everything going for it — a massive budget, A-list leads, and international intrigue. But while the film made decent money, critics panned the lack of chemistry between Jolie and Depp — and with good reason. Behind the scenes, Jolie was reportedly frustrated with Depp’s disheveled appearance and lack of preparation. Depp, in turn, disliked Jolie’s controlling attitude and constant involvement in directorial decisions.

They barely spoke off-camera, and Depp stuck to his trailer unless he was called for a scene.

Though both behaved professionally, their cold dynamic likely contributed to the film’s weak reviews. Ironically, neither actor has ever watched the movie.

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth: From Romance to Ruin

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth’s real-life relationship began during the filming of The Last Song (2010). According to Cyrus, Disney wanted her to do one more film unrelated to Hannah Montana, and Hemsworth was one of three finalists for the romantic lead. Their on-set chemistry blossomed into a decade-long, on-again, off-again relationship.

The couple got engaged in 2012, broke up in 2013, reunited in 2016, married in 2018 — and then separated just eight months later. In later interviews and especially through her music (notably Flowers, the most-streamed song of 2023), Cyrus hinted at infidelity and emotional control in the relationship. She said they stayed together mostly out of habit. Hemsworth, by contrast, remained silent. Today, they no longer speak.

Hollywood is a strange place: sometimes, the drama behind the camera is more compelling than what makes it to the screen. Whether it’s a clash of egos, misunderstood intentions, or creative differences, these stories remind us that even stars have limits — and that some roles are harder to play off-screen than on.