How a Script Swap Sparked John Wayne’s On-Set Fury

Few Hollywood icons loom as large as John Wayne. With his unmistakable voice, steely presence, and rugged features, he defined the image of the American tough guy for generations. But that same larger-than-life persona sometimes led to real-life drama behind the camera.

Clashing Visions on a War Epic

In 1966, Wayne joined the cast of Cast a Giant Shadow, a sweeping historical film featuring Kirk Douglas as David ‘Mickey’ Marcus, an American officer who played a key role in forming the Israeli Defense Forces. The movie also starred Frank Sinatra, Angie Dickinson, and Yul Brynner, with Wayne taking on the role of a U.S. Army General. Melville Shavelson, who both directed and co-wrote the film, was at the helm.

Wayne, never shy about voicing his opinions, wasn’t happy with the script. He insisted that his trusted collaborator, James Grant, revise it. Shavelson, caught between a rock and a hard place, came up with a workaround: he used two separate scripts during production. Wayne’s scenes were shot with the version Grant had approved, while the rest of the cast worked from Shavelson’s original screenplay.

The Day the Secret Unraveled

For a while, the plan worked. Wayne believed the entire film had been rewritten to his liking, unaware that his co-stars were following a different script. But the ruse didn’t last. One day, Wayne showed up unexpectedly and caught the crew using the original version. Shavelson later recalled,

“He was furious and grabbed me, and to be grabbed by a guy who stands over six feet and is running the goddamn picture was pretty terrifying. After that we used Grant’s script. But for a long time after that Wayne and I never spoke.”

That confrontation marked the end of Wayne and Shavelson’s professional relationship. From then on, the production stuck to the script Wayne preferred, but the damage was done.

Wayne’s Reputation for Conflict

This wasn’t the only time Wayne butted heads with those in charge. Even John Ford, the legendary director who launched Wayne’s career and whom Wayne affectionately called ‘Pappy,’ wasn’t immune to his temper. Many of Wayne’s co-stars found him difficult, too. Known for his outspoken conservative views and fiery personality, he often clashed with Hollywood’s more liberal crowd and didn’t care much for social niceties.

Despite these run-ins, both Wayne and Shavelson continued to find success in their careers. Their paths never crossed again on set, and, as Shavelson wryly noted, he at least lived to tell the tale.