CINEMA NEWS – Clint Eastwood’s name has merged with Hollywood success, especially in western films. During his career, the Oscar-winning actor and director had a significant impact on the industry not only in front of the camera, but also behind it. As a result of a little-known but all the more significant case, Eastwood’s decision changed the inner workings of Hollywood forever.

 

Eastwood has been considered a creative genius since the beginning, and his career has been marked by numerous acting and directing awards. By portraying minimal but striking characters, he established his own cinematic identity in spaghetti westerns. And as a director, he created a unique film style, with which he won the Oscar twice in the category of best direction.

However, Eastwood is not only known for his artistic talent. He has extremely high expectations and makes uncompromising decisions about the films he takes part in. Speaking to The Guardian, Tom Hanks once said of Clint Eastwood’s directorial style that he “treats his actors like horses”.

However, before Hanks’ statement, another case had already made serious waves in Hollywood. While filming a western, Eastwood disagreed with his director to such an extent that he eventually fired him and took control himself. This brave and unexpected step had a decisive influence not only on the fate of the film, but also on the internal dynamics of Hollywood as a whole.

 

Why did Clint Eastwood fire his director on The Outlaw Josey Wales?

 

The movie “The Outlaw Josey Wales” is based on the novel “The Rebel Outlaw: Josey Wales” and Clint Eastwood contributed his own money to acquire the rights. Philip Kaufman, the original director of the film, tried to make the film as close to the book as possible. Kaufman had such expectations for Eastwood as, for example, to incorporate the unique language and mannerisms of Wales into his character. At the same time, Kaufman did not consider the political message of the novel acceptable, and even called the author, Asa Earl Carter – a former organizer of the Ku Klux Klan – a “crude fascist”.

Unsatisfied with the political content of the source material, Kaufman wanted to tone down the political overtones of the original work and instead focus on other narrative elements. Eastwood, on the other hand, did not share Kaufman’s approach, and this led to serious tension during filming. The feud between the two artists went beyond differences of opinion on direction and adaptation. According to accounts found in the book “Clint: The Life and Legend of Clint Eastwood,” Eastwood’s dislike of Kaufman also acquired Sondra Locke, and the director even became jealous of the romantic relationship that developed between the two. When the situation became untenable, Eastwood took over directing and directing the film, then asked producer Bob Daley to hire Philip Kaufman.

 

The Eastwood Rule: How did Clint Eastwood’s change of director change the rules of Hollywood?

 

When Clint Eastwood replaced Philip Kaufman, the original director of “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” the event had a major impact on Hollywood and its regulation. The Directors Guild of America (DGA) reacted strongly to Kaufman’s sudden removal; despite Kaufman investing considerable time and energy into the film. Due to Warner Bros. and Eastwood’s refusal to reverse the decision, the DGA fined them $60,000.

In addition, to prevent this type of incident from happening again, the DGA introduced a new rule that has since become known as the “Eastwood Rule”. This rule states that an actor or producer cannot fire the director and then take over directing duties themselves.

Although Eastwood later successfully finished directing the film, which received positive reviews and audience feedback, the change in the director’s chair and the conflict with Kaufman changed the way Hollywood worked in the long run. The introduction of the Eastwood rule is considered a significant milestone in the regulation of the film industry and the protection of directors’ rights.

Source: Screenrant