Young Actors Who Are Hard to Work With

Hollywood often tolerates eccentric behavior from its biggest stars, but some young actors test the patience of directors and crew members early in their careers. Whether due to intense method acting, on-set outbursts, or legal troubles that disrupt production, these performers have developed reputations that precede them. While talent can sometimes outweigh the drama, studios are increasingly wary of liabilities that threaten filming schedules and budgets. The following young actors have faced allegations or rumors regarding their difficult behavior on and off the set.

Ezra Miller

Ezra Miller was once a rising star in major franchises like the DC Universe and the ‘Wizarding World’, but a string of legal issues and erratic behavior severely damaged that standing. During the filming of ‘The Flash’, reports surfaced about Miller’s mental health crises and off-set arrests, which created a PR nightmare for the studio. On the set of the miniseries ‘The Stand’, an extra claimed that Miller screamed and spat at them, describing the behavior as disgusting and unprofessional. The actor’s unpredictable nature forced executives to reconsider their future in high-profile projects.

Shia LaBeouf

Although he has been in the industry for years, Shia LaBeouf remains the poster child for young actors with volatile reputations. His method acting techniques have frequently caused friction, such as when he reportedly alienated cast and crew on the set of ‘Fury’ by refusing to shower and pulling out his own tooth. His involvement in ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ led to a highly publicized dispute with director Olivia Wilde, with conflicting narratives about whether he quit or was fired due to his combative energy. LaBeouf has admitted to past aggressive behavior, attributing some of it to struggles with addiction and trauma.

Jonathan Majors

Jonathan Majors was poised to become the next great villain of the Marvel Cinematic Universe before legal troubles halted his momentum. Following his arrest and subsequent conviction for assault and harassment, stories emerged about his alleged conduct at previous jobs. Graduates from his drama school and former colleagues described an intensity that often crossed the line into intimidation and volatility. Marvel Studios ultimately severed ties with him, recasting his role in the ‘Avengers’ saga and leaving his career in a precarious state.

Miles Teller

Miles Teller gained critical acclaim for his role in ‘Whiplash’, but he also garnered a reputation for being arrogant and difficult to manage. A notorious profile in Esquire magazine painted him as abrasive, a characterization he has spent years trying to shake. During the production of ‘The Offer’, reports alleged that Teller contracted COVID-19 after refusing to be vaccinated, which shut down production and cost the studio millions, though his team denied these claims. He was also reportedly dropped from ‘La La Land’ during contract negotiations, with rumors suggesting his financial demands were too high.

Ansel Elgort

Ansel Elgort found himself at the center of controversy when sexual assault allegations surfaced in 2020, which he denied. Beyond his legal issues, he has been described as oblivious and difficult during interviews and public appearances. His behavior during the press tour for ‘Baby Driver’ and ‘West Side Story’ was often criticized as conceited, alienating some fans and journalists. While he delivered a strong performance in Steven Spielberg’s musical, the surrounding negative publicity forced the studio to downplay his involvement in the film’s marketing.

Austin Butler

Austin Butler received widespread praise for his portrayal of Elvis Presley, but his commitment to the role raised eyebrows. The actor reportedly did not see his family for three years while preparing for the film, and he maintained the singer’s accent long after production wrapped, which some peers found pretentious. While not “difficult” in an aggressive sense, his intense method approach has been described as exhausting for those around him. Industry insiders have questioned whether such extreme immersion is necessary or sustainable for a young actor’s long-term health.

Alex Pettyfer

Alex Pettyfer was once marketed as the next big leading man, but rumors of on-set conflicts quickly derailed his ascent. Reports from the set of ‘I Am Number Four’ suggested he was demanding and clashed with director D.J. Caruso, allegedly leading to a heated confrontation. His reputation worsened after ‘Magic Mike’, where he reportedly feuded with co-star and producer Channing Tatum over unpaid rent and bad attitude. Pettyfer has since admitted that his own insecurity and arrogance played a role in these bridges being burned.

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi has faced criticism for openly disparaging the projects that made him famous. The ‘Euphoria’ star called ‘The Kissing Booth’ movies ridiculous and stated he didn’t want to make them, which fans and crew members felt was ungrateful and unprofessional. On the set of ‘Euphoria’, rumors circulated about tension between him and his co-stars, though the show’s chaotic production was often blamed on the creator. His tendency to distance himself from his work has led some to view him as pretentious and difficult to please.

John Boyega

John Boyega is known for his candor, which has sometimes been interpreted as difficulty by studio executives. His vocal criticism of the ‘Star Wars’ franchise regarding the handling of his character Finn caused friction with Disney/Lucasfilm. More recently, he abruptly walked away from the Netflix production ‘Rebel Ridge’ mid-shoot, citing family reasons, which forced the production to pause and eventually recast his role. While his supporters see him as a man of integrity standing up for himself, industry executives view such sudden departures as a major liability.

Pete Davidson

Pete Davidson’s tenure on ‘Saturday Night Live’ was marked by brilliance but also inconsistency due to his personal struggles. He frequently broke character and was reportedly allowed to miss rehearsals that other cast members were required to attend, leading to resentment. On movie sets, his behavior has been described as unprofessional at times, with reports of him being unprepared or distracted. While many colleagues find him charming, his reliability has been a recurring concern for producers.

Jaden Smith

As the son of Hollywood royalty, Jaden Smith has faced accusations of entitlement and difficult behavior since his teenage years. Reports from the set of ‘The Karate Kid’ and ‘After Earth’ suggested he could be uncooperative with crew members. His philosophical and often baffling social media presence has also created a perception of him being out of touch with reality. This reputation has made some directors hesitant to cast him in projects that do not involve his family.

Percy Hynes White

Percy Hynes White starred in the hit series ‘Wednesday’ but was written out of the second season following serious allegations on social media. Anonymous users accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior at parties, which he strongly denied as a “campaign of misinformation.” Despite his denial, the controversy became too distracting for the production, leading to his removal. The situation highlighted how quickly online allegations can impact the career of a young actor.

Evan Peters

Evan Peters is celebrated for his intense performances, but his deep dives into dark characters have made him difficult to be around. During the filming of ‘Dahmer – Monster: The The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’, he stayed in character for months, isolating himself from the cast and crew to maintain a somber headspace. Co-stars noted that while they respected his process, it created a cold and uncomfortable environment on set. Peters himself has admitted that such roles take a heavy psychological toll, making him hesitant to accept similar parts in the future.

Dominic Fike

Musician and actor Dominic Fike admitted that his drug use nearly got him fired from the set of ‘Euphoria’. He revealed that he was often under the influence during filming and struggled to remember lines, which frustrated the show’s creator, Sam Levinson. Levinson reportedly hired a “sober coach” to help Fike, but the actor admitted they did not get along. His candidness about the experience shed light on the chaotic nature of the show’s production and his own lack of professionalism at the time.

Regé-Jean Page

Regé-Jean Page became an overnight sensation with ‘Bridgerton’ but surprised fans by leaving the show after just one season. Reports suggested that he disagreed with the producers about his character’s trajectory and refused to return for a reduced role. Rumors of “creative differences” often serve as a euphemism for behind-the-scenes conflict, and his swift exit branded him as an actor who prioritizes his own career moves over franchise loyalty. This decision left the show’s writers scrambling to explain the absence of its breakout star.

Alden Ehrenreich

Alden Ehrenreich faced immense pressure when he was cast as Han Solo in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’, and reports from the set were troubling. Sources claimed that Lucasfilm was so dissatisfied with his performance that they hired an acting coach late in the production to help him mimic Harrison Ford’s mannerisms. This highly unusual move signaled a lack of confidence from the studio and created a tense atmosphere on set. The film’s directors, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, were eventually fired, and while Ehrenreich wasn’t the sole cause, the acting coach story stuck to his reputation.

KJ Apa

KJ Apa, the star of ‘Riverdale’, has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the show that made him famous. He has compared working on the series to being in jail due to the restrictive contracts and lack of creative freedom. These comments were seen by some as ungrateful, especially considering the show’s long run and the opportunities it provided him. His visible boredom in later seasons and public complaints about the writing contributed to a sense that he was difficult to keep engaged.

Charlie Heaton

Charlie Heaton’s career hit a major snag when he was detained at LAX for alleged cocaine possession, causing him to miss the ‘Stranger Things’ season two premiere. The incident forced him to return to the UK and created a logistical headache for the production, which had to work around his immigration issues. While he was not charged, the scandal brought negative press to the wholesome hit show. The uncertainty surrounding his ability to work in the US made him a risky asset for the studio for a period of time.

Justin Bieber

Though primarily a musician, Justin Bieber’s foray into acting on ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ was marred by reports of bratty behavior. Series star Marg Helgenberger publicly stated that Bieber was “kind of a brat” on set, claiming he locked a producer in a closet and smashed a cake meant for the crew. These antics displayed a lack of respect for the filmmaking process and the professionals working around him. The incident solidified the perception that his transition to serious acting would be hindered by his immaturity.

The Weeknd

Abel Tesfaye, known as The Weeknd, took a hands-on creative role in the HBO series ‘The Idol’, which was plagued by reports of a toxic set. The production underwent a massive overhaul, with the original female director leaving, reportedly because Tesfaye felt the show was leaning too much into a “female perspective.” The resulting series was criticized for its graphic content and disjointed storytelling, with blame largely falling on Tesfaye’s creative interference. The controversy suggested that his vision might be difficult for collaborators to execute.

Angus T. Jones

Angus T. Jones was the highest-paid child actor on television for ‘Two and a Half Men’ before he publicly bashed the show. In a viral video, he called the sitcom “filth” and urged viewers to stop watching, citing his newfound religious beliefs. The comments created a media firestorm and put showrunner Chuck Lorre in a difficult position, eventually leading to Jones’s departure from the main cast. His biting the hand that fed him remains one of the most shocking examples of a young actor turning on his own production.

Ncuti Gatwa

Ncuti Gatwa has received critical acclaim for his roles in ‘Sex Education’ and ‘Doctor Who’, but rumors of behind-the-scenes friction have begun to circulate. Tabloid reports alleged that he was “difficult” on the set of ‘Doctor Who’, with some claiming he can be demanding. While the BBC has officially denied these rumors and supported him, the speculation persists in British media. Such rumors can be damaging for a lead actor carrying a major legacy franchise.

Harry Styles

Harry Styles’ transition from music to acting in ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ was overshadowed by the bizarre “Spitgate” controversy and alleged tension with director Olivia Wilde and co-star Florence Pugh. Styles appeared distant during the promotional tour, refusing to stand next to Wilde on red carpets, which fueled rumors of a rift. While the “spitting” incident on Chris Pine was debunked, the overall lack of unity among the cast suggested a dysfunctional working environment. Styles’ silence during the PR disaster did little to quell the narrative of a troubled production.

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson is now a respected actor, but he was notoriously vocal about his hatred for the ‘Twilight’ franchise while he was filming it. He frequently clashed with studio executives who wanted him to smile more and play the character as a romantic lead rather than a brooding depressive. On the set of ‘The Batman’, rumors circulated that he refused to bulk up physically for the role, frustrating director Matt Reeves. His stubbornness regarding his artistic choices often puts him at odds with the commercial demands of blockbuster filmmaking.

Tell us which of these actors you think deserves a second chance in the comments.