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The Complex Dynamics of Filming ‘The Score’: Frank Oz and Marlon Brando’s Clash

Frank Oz, a prominent figure in pop culture due to his collaborations with Jim Henson in the 1980s, is celebrated for his work as a puppeteer, providing the voices and puppetry for iconic characters like Yoda in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and Fozzie Bear in ‘The Muppet Show.’ Beyond his puppeteering talents, Oz embarked on a career as a filmmaker. His partnership with Henson’s production company led to directorial roles in films such as ‘The Great Muppet Caper’ and ‘The Dark Crystal.’ Oz’s foray into live-action comedies, exemplified by successes like ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,’ ‘What About Bob?,’ ‘Bowfinger,’ and ‘The Little Shop of Horrors,’ hinted at his potential as a filmmaker. Buoyed by these achievements, Oz aspired to tackle the realm of modern crime classics. Little did he know that his journey into filmmaking would become tumultuous when he encountered the enigmatic Marlon Brando, whose reputation preceded him as a challenging collaborator.

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The Turbulent Production of ‘The Score’

In 2001, Frank Oz delved into uncharted territory with ‘The Score,’ a heist thriller paying homage to classic “cat burglar” films such as ‘Gambit’ and ‘To Catch A Thief.’ Up until this point, Oz’s directorial work had primarily encompassed the comedy genre. ‘The Score’ unraveled the story of Nick Wells, an aging thief portrayed by Robert De Niro, who aimed to retire from a life of crime to propose to his girlfriend, Diane, played by Angela Bassett. However, his plans took a sharp turn when he reluctantly agreed to participate in one last heist, orchestrated by his fence, Max, played by Marlon Brando. Collaborating with the cunning thief Jack Teller, portrayed by Edward Norton, led Nick to confront unexpected challenges as he questioned Teller’s loyalty.

‘The Score’ emerged as a convergence of three generations of acting talent. Marlon Brando had previously revolutionized American cinema with his performances in classics such as ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and ‘On The Waterfront.’ Robert De Niro, a dominant force in the 1970s and ’80s, had left an indelible mark on cinema through collaborations with Martin Scorsese in films like ‘Taxi Driver,’ ‘Raging Bull,’ and ‘The King of Comedy.’ Edward Norton, too, displayed immense promise as an actor, with notable roles in ‘Primal Fear,’ ‘American History X,’ and ‘Fight Club,’ showcasing his willingness to delve into the psyche of complex characters.

Both De Niro and Norton had earned reputations for being meticulous about their craft on set. De Niro’s clash with Joaquin Phoenix’s method acting in ‘Joker’ and Norton’s exacting standards during ‘The Incredible Hulk’ had been documented. However, it was not De Niro or Norton who contributed to the turmoil on the set of ‘The Score’; rather, it was Marlon Brando who brought his notorious antics to the production. Despite being hailed as one of the greatest actors of all time, Brando’s history of disruptive behavior on set had marred his reputation since his work on ‘The Godfather.’ Although ‘The Score’ was touted as his comeback role following the disastrous ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ in 1996, Brando’s conduct during filming made the experience excruciating for everyone involved, especially Frank Oz. Oz quickly discovered that Brando, famous for his role in ‘On the Waterfront,’ had a unique and confrontational acting style.

The Clash of Personalities and Styles

At this juncture in his career, Brando had collaborated with numerous esteemed directors. However, Oz’s credentials failed to make an impression on him, leading Brando to routinely refer to the director, known for his work on ‘The Muppet Show’ and ‘Sesame Street,’ as “Miss Piggy.” Oz had initially contemplated casting lesser-known actors for the film, envisioning his first drama as a lower-budget project that would enable him to explore darker and grittier themes with relatively unknown actors. However, his plans took a sharp turn after encountering Brando, who reportedly ridiculed Oz’s previous work on ‘The Muppet Show’ and ‘Sesame Street.’ At one juncture, Brando quipped, “I bet you wish I was a puppet so you could make me do what you want.”

As tensions escalated, Oz found himself compelled to seek assistance from other actors to manage the challenging situation. When Brando refused to heed Oz’s direction, De Niro stepped in to direct certain sequences to ensure the completion of Brando’s scenes. Brando continued to play pranks on Oz throughout the production, at times even appearing on set in nothing but underwear to unsettle his director. At one point, Oz lamented that “Marlon was too upset with me to act while I was on the set,” forcing him to monitor the proceedings from a distance. He praised De Niro for serving as a “mediator” who facilitated communication with Brando during crucial scenes.

Despite the reported friction on the set of ‘The Score,’ Oz later asserted that the tension between him and Brando had been exaggerated. He described Brando as “very sweet, gracious, childlike in some ways, very, very humane, very complex person.” Oz admitted that the underlying cause of the tension was a “difference in creative interpretation of the role.” Eventually, the two reconciled, with Oz taking some responsibility and acknowledging that he could have been more supportive of Brando’s unique acting methods.

A Tumultuous Collaboration Leading to a Cinematic Gem

Despite the tumultuous atmosphere during the filming of ‘The Score,’ Oz and Brando managed to create a remarkable movie. Critic Roger Ebert praised the film as “true to its story, and the story involves characters, not stunts and special effects,” hailing it as “the best pure heist movie in recent years.” Brando’s performance in the film marked a return to form, proving that his acting prowess remained intact despite a less impressive recent track record. Sometimes, creative differences between passionate storytellers can lead to remarkable outcomes, and in the case of Oz and Brando, their friction ultimately contributed to the creation of a classic worth celebrating.

In conclusion, the tumultuous collaboration between Frank Oz and Marlon Brando during the production of ‘The Score’ underscores the complex dynamics that can emerge on a film set. Despite initial clashes and a tumultuous production process, their collaboration resulted in a memorable cinematic achievement. The behind-the-scenes drama, fueled by differing artistic visions, adds a fascinating layer to the legacy of ‘The Score’ and the broader world of filmmaking.

Marlon Brando was an American actor, director, and activist who had a net worth of $100 million at the time of his death.

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