When a high-profile scandal breaks, Hollywood stars look nervously towards their producers and directors to see how they will react. Sometimes, as we've seen with Arnie, all projects grind to a halt while the fires are put out. Other times, the folks in charge keep the faith.
Such is the case with 'The Beaver', in which Jodie Foster has vocally supported her star Mel Gibson. His highly-publicised drunken rants and personal problems have been hogging the limelight, but Foster was quick to defend her friend at Cannes, claiming he "is somebody who is probably the most-loved actor in Hollywood" and that he "is complex and I appreciate his complexity."
Foster isn't alone in standing by her star in spite of very public misdemeanours. Here are our favourite examples of stars who were supported by their loyal patrons.
[See also: Actors that got fired on set]
Dennis Hopper (supported by director Phillipe Mora)
Mad Dog Morgan (1976)
Has there been a more notorious substance abuser than Dennis Hopper? Unlikely. And during his most intense period of drinking and drug use he was a pariah in Hollywood. But over in Australia, little-known French director Phillipe Mora was ready to cast him in the story of crazy bushranger and desperado Dan 'Mad Dog' Morgan.
Remembering the shoot, Mora describes being, "woken by yodelling, I'd entered Hopper's room and found him drinking Old Spice aftershave with the ultra-Gonzo end of the crew." But Hopper's madness ultimately worked magic on film, and it's now a cult classic.
Klaus Kinski (supported by director Werner Herzog)
Aguirre, Wrath of God (1972)
Klaus Kinski and director Werner Herzog had one of the most tumultuous relationships in the history of film. Herzog propped up Kinski through bouts of madness, and harnessed his energy in some of the most exciting films ever made. Few were more intense than 'Aguirre'.
Shot entirely on location in the Peruvian rainforest, tensions ran high. Kinski kept threatening to leave and, in one famous incident Kinski, flailing his gun (yes, his gun), demanded he be transported out. The gun went off and hit an extra, so the story goes, but Kinski's demands weren't met and Herzog kept him for the duration of the film, and several more afterwards.
[See also: Actors who despised each other on set]
Sofia Coppola (supported by director Francis Ford Coppola)
The Godfather: Part III (1990)
Having appeared in some of her father's previous films, it was a massive leap of faith for Francis Ford Coppola to cast Sofia in the final part of the 'Godfather' trilogy. It was a gamble that back-fired in spectacular fashion as the finale was lambasted when compared to the first two films, with his daughter coming in for particular criticism.
Although Francis understandably defended her performance, Sofia saw the writing on the wall and forged a successful career behind the camera instead.
Hugh Grant (supported by director Richard Curtis)
Notting Hill (1999)
'Four Weddings and a Funeral' launched Grant and his affable English charm to the status of superstar. With big-budget American films on the way, it would take a scandal of massive proportions to ruin his meteoric rise... and that's just what happened when Grant was caught in a compromising position with prostitute Divine Brown in 1995.
Following a period out of the spotlight, it was 'Four Weddings' director Richard Curtis who wrote and produced the perfect comeback vehicle for Grant; and 'Notting Hill' proved to be a massive box-office hit.
Vanessa Hudgens (supported by director Kenny Ortega)
High School Musical (2006-8)
Another star to lose a squeaky-clean image, Vanessa Hudgens’ role as the innocent Gabriella Montez appeared to be in jeopardy when private photos of the young actress appeared online.
Surprisingly the producers of the series, and director Kenny Ortega, kept her on board for the third outing and even released it on the big screen.
[See also: Tom Cruise 'too short' for role]
Christian Bale (supported by director Christopher Nolan)
The Dark Knight/The Dark Knight Rises (2008/2012)
During the promotional tour for the sequel to 'Batman Begins', police were called to Bale's London hotel following an alleged incident between the actor and his mother and sister. The details remain mysterious, and Bale has only made the following statement: “It's a deeply personal matter, I would ask you to respect my privacy in the matter.”
His reputation was further tarnished in 2009 when an audio recording of his rant at Shane Hurlbut was released from the 'Terminator Salvation' set. The Director of Photography stepped into the actor's eye-line during a shot and all hell broke lose.
Despite all this, Christopher Nolan has continued to stick by the star, keeping him in the title role for 'The Dark Knight Rises'. And let's not forget, Nolan is a director who didn't hesitate in replacing Katie Holmes in 'The Dark Knight'.
Such is the case with 'The Beaver', in which Jodie Foster has vocally supported her star Mel Gibson. His highly-publicised drunken rants and personal problems have been hogging the limelight, but Foster was quick to defend her friend at Cannes, claiming he "is somebody who is probably the most-loved actor in Hollywood" and that he "is complex and I appreciate his complexity."
Foster isn't alone in standing by her star in spite of very public misdemeanours. Here are our favourite examples of stars who were supported by their loyal patrons.
[See also: Actors that got fired on set]
Dennis Hopper (supported by director Phillipe Mora)
Mad Dog Morgan (1976)
Has there been a more notorious substance abuser than Dennis Hopper? Unlikely. And during his most intense period of drinking and drug use he was a pariah in Hollywood. But over in Australia, little-known French director Phillipe Mora was ready to cast him in the story of crazy bushranger and desperado Dan 'Mad Dog' Morgan.
Remembering the shoot, Mora describes being, "woken by yodelling, I'd entered Hopper's room and found him drinking Old Spice aftershave with the ultra-Gonzo end of the crew." But Hopper's madness ultimately worked magic on film, and it's now a cult classic.
Klaus Kinski (supported by director Werner Herzog)
Aguirre, Wrath of God (1972)
Klaus Kinski and director Werner Herzog had one of the most tumultuous relationships in the history of film. Herzog propped up Kinski through bouts of madness, and harnessed his energy in some of the most exciting films ever made. Few were more intense than 'Aguirre'.
Shot entirely on location in the Peruvian rainforest, tensions ran high. Kinski kept threatening to leave and, in one famous incident Kinski, flailing his gun (yes, his gun), demanded he be transported out. The gun went off and hit an extra, so the story goes, but Kinski's demands weren't met and Herzog kept him for the duration of the film, and several more afterwards.
[See also: Actors who despised each other on set]
Sofia Coppola (supported by director Francis Ford Coppola)
The Godfather: Part III (1990)
Having appeared in some of her father's previous films, it was a massive leap of faith for Francis Ford Coppola to cast Sofia in the final part of the 'Godfather' trilogy. It was a gamble that back-fired in spectacular fashion as the finale was lambasted when compared to the first two films, with his daughter coming in for particular criticism.
Although Francis understandably defended her performance, Sofia saw the writing on the wall and forged a successful career behind the camera instead.
Hugh Grant (supported by director Richard Curtis)
Notting Hill (1999)
'Four Weddings and a Funeral' launched Grant and his affable English charm to the status of superstar. With big-budget American films on the way, it would take a scandal of massive proportions to ruin his meteoric rise... and that's just what happened when Grant was caught in a compromising position with prostitute Divine Brown in 1995.
Following a period out of the spotlight, it was 'Four Weddings' director Richard Curtis who wrote and produced the perfect comeback vehicle for Grant; and 'Notting Hill' proved to be a massive box-office hit.
Vanessa Hudgens (supported by director Kenny Ortega)
High School Musical (2006-8)
Another star to lose a squeaky-clean image, Vanessa Hudgens’ role as the innocent Gabriella Montez appeared to be in jeopardy when private photos of the young actress appeared online.
Surprisingly the producers of the series, and director Kenny Ortega, kept her on board for the third outing and even released it on the big screen.
[See also: Tom Cruise 'too short' for role]
Christian Bale (supported by director Christopher Nolan)
The Dark Knight/The Dark Knight Rises (2008/2012)
During the promotional tour for the sequel to 'Batman Begins', police were called to Bale's London hotel following an alleged incident between the actor and his mother and sister. The details remain mysterious, and Bale has only made the following statement: “It's a deeply personal matter, I would ask you to respect my privacy in the matter.”
His reputation was further tarnished in 2009 when an audio recording of his rant at Shane Hurlbut was released from the 'Terminator Salvation' set. The Director of Photography stepped into the actor's eye-line during a shot and all hell broke lose.
Despite all this, Christopher Nolan has continued to stick by the star, keeping him in the title role for 'The Dark Knight Rises'. And let's not forget, Nolan is a director who didn't hesitate in replacing Katie Holmes in 'The Dark Knight'.
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