In the world of filmmaking, clashes between directors and actors are not uncommon. From Faye Dunaway's peculiar act of pouring her own urine at Roman Polanski to Norman Mailer's near-ear-biting incident with Rip Torn, the ambitious nature of the industry often leads to tense working relationships.
One such instance occurred during the production of the 1991 film Hook, where Julia Roberts portrayed the character of Tinkerbell under the direction of Steven Spielberg. Reports from that time suggested that Roberts proved to be a challenging co-worker, earning herself the nickname "Tinkerbell."
Naturally, the media looked to blame Roberts for her feud with Spielberg. Adding fuel to the fire, Roberts had recently called off her engagement to Kiefer Sutherland, leading some to speculate that her emotional state hurt her working relationship with Spielberg.
Allegedly, Roberts' behavior on set caused significant disruption, to the point where Spielberg contemplated replacing her character, a decision that would have come at a considerable cost. Roberts would isolate herself in her trailer for extended periods and frequently arrive late when her presence as Tinkerbell was required.
After completing Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Spielberg took a brief break from filmmaking. During a 60 Minutes broadcast, he acknowledged Roberts' challenging circumstances and spoke positively about her performance, despite their unfortunate collaboration. However, despite her undeniable acting abilities, Spielberg made it clear that he would never work with Roberts again.
Spielberg's remarks deeply affected Roberts, and she openly discussed her hurt in an interview with Vanity Fair. She admitted that hearing Spielberg's statement while going through a personal life event was "difficult." Not everyone on the set held an unfavorable opinion of Roberts, though. Dante Basco, who portrayed Rufio, the leader of the Lost Boys, mentioned that Roberts was always kind to him. While it is unclear if Roberts and Spielberg still hold grudges against each other, given Roberts' emotional response to Spielberg's words, it is likely that their relationship remains strained.
In a Barbara Walters interview following the news of her feud with Spielberg, Julia Roberts fought back against allegations of misconduct on the set of Hook. It is also worth noting that Spielberg later confessed feeling out of his element while making Hook and lacking confidence in the script. Considering Spielberg's insecurity during the filming and the personal challenges Roberts was facing, it seems probable that both parties bear some responsibility for the discord that ensued between them.
