The name Harvey Weinstein has become synonymous with the atrocities that he committed. However, there is a lot to know about the movie mogul before the #MeToo movement. While Harvey is responsible for the careers of the likes of Matt Damon, Dame Judi Dench, and even Meryl Streep (to some extent), as well as the funding of some of the best movies of all time, he also was known as a real piece of work. While rumors of his illegal and abusive behavior toward women circulated throughout the community in Hollywood, New York, and Cannes, what wasn't a rumor was just how nasty he could be with filmmakers. With Harvey, it was his way or the highway. And Harvey could be very petty, as director Kevin Smith found out after Harvey put a yacht on his tab after the Cannes Film Festival.
Harvey's reputation preceded him, and while many kissed his feet, others stood up to him publically. Bear in mind, even powerful Hollywood types like Meryl Streep and the late-great Robin Williams didn't want to anger Harvey... But Harry Potter star Sir John Hurt didn't care...
Here's what happened and what sparked their feud.
It Was All About Snowpiercer
The late-great Sir John Hurt was known for many outstanding performances. He had memorable roles in Alien (as the crew member who had his chest burst-open), Orwell's 1984, Merlin, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Indiana Jones, Hellboy, V for Vendetta, Watership Down, as wand-maker Ollivander in the Harry Potter films, and in Midnight Express and The Elephant Man which both earned him Academy Award nominations.
And then there was 2013's Snowpiercer; a film by Academy Award-winning director Bong Joon Ho. Of course, the incredibly talented and likable Bong Joon Ho is best known for his recent hit, Parasite. But Snowpiercer is another film totally worth people's time. It was based on a graphic novel and has recently been adapted into a television series.
While John Hurt played the supporting role of Gilliam in Snowpiercer, he was clearly fiercely protective of the film. We found this out when he was asked about the film's release while on the red carpet of the Critics Circle Awards in London, England.
"John, another film we could see is Snowpiercer, which we will be seeing in Berlin next week. Could you tell us a little bit about that?" the interviewer asked John, who was clearly ready to leave the red carpet.
"Well, I think it's a wonderful film. I've seen it. And I want it to be shown in the English-speaking territories in its full version," John said, clearly aware of something going on behind-the-scenes between director Bong Joon Ho and Harvey Weinstein. "I'm not in agreement with Harvey Weinstein, who wants to cut twenty minutes out of it. Because I know what he'll cut out."
"Well, why do you think he is trying to cut out twenty minutes of it?"
"It's endemic with him. He can't help it. He's always doing it. He's constantly doctoring and feels that he... He takes something on and everybody has to hail. And I do, I salute that. But then he wants to change [a project]. He doesn't trust his directors. And that I can't salute," John said authentically and passionately.
"It must be incredibly frustrating, as an actor, to know that it's out of your hands at that stage, as well," the interviewer added.
"When it gets to that stage, it's pretty well out of my hands, yes. What I can do is support the company, the Korean company, and, um, Bong Joon Ho."
John then went on to wax poetic about Bong Joon Ho's ability as a director and why his cut should be the one everyone should see. Around the time, screenwriter Kelly Masterson and two of the other stars of the movie, Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton, also did the same.
Clearly, there was an issue behind-the-scenes.
What Happened With Snowpiercer?
According to IndieWire, Bong Joon Ho did indeed have a major battle with Harvey Weinstein about editing out twenty minutes of Snowpiercer.
"I’m someone who until that point had only ever released the ‘director’s cut’ of my films. I’ve never done an edit I didn’t want to do," Bong Joon Ho told Vulture. "Weinstein’s nickname is ‘Harvey Scissorhands,’ and he took such pride in his edit of the film."
For some things, such as a moment where guards carve open a fish to intimidate the heroes of the film, Bong Joon Ho had to lie to Harvey to get his way. When asked why it was so important to keep the moment the director was passionate about, Bong Joon Ho claimed that his father 'was a fisherman' and thus it was personal.
But other things, Harvey remained stubborn as can. It was only because of the mounting pressure from the cast, crew, and the public that Harvey Weinstein relented and let the acclaimed director release the film that he wanted to release.
Yeah, Harvey Weinstein was a nightmare from every and any angle.