Director Ed Zwick’s new memoir alleges tense moments on the set of Legends Of The Fall, but Pitt’s spokesperson denies accusations.

Brad Pitt has strongly denied accusations of “volatile” behaviour on the set of the 1994 film Legends of the Fall, following claims made by the film’s director, Ed Zwick, in his new memoir.

In the book Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood, Zwick alleges that Pitt exhibited signs of agitation and unpredictability during filming. Zwick describes an incident where tensions escalated between them, culminating in a “dust-up,” though he is unclear about the exact details. The director notes that Pitt became “edgy” before emotionally charged scenes, stating that, “He can be volatile when riled.”

Zwick recalls a particularly heated moment when the two men had a confrontation that led to the crew leaving the set, though the specifics of the altercation remain unclear. He also recalls that Pitt, who had replaced Tom Cruise in the lead role of Tristan Ludlow, initially wanted to quit after the first table read, but ultimately stayed on the project.

Zwick reflects on the emotional depth required for the character, noting that while he wanted Pitt to delve deeper into the character’s grief, the actor resisted. Zwick believed the film’s focus was on exploring a man’s grief, whereas Pitt, raised in an environment where emotional restraint was the norm, had a different interpretation of the role.

Pitt’s spokesperson has since denied the allegations. A representative for the actor told Vanity Fair that these claims were untrue, though the memoir has sparked further conversation about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the film.