Marlon Brando once called his own movie a turkey to secure a million-dollar bonus.
In short: When production delays threatened his schedule, Marlon Brando publicly trashed the 1990 comedy The Freshman, calling it the biggest turkey of all time. The producers quickly paid his requested million-dollar bonus, and Brando immediately pivoted to praising the film. It remains a masterclass in both performance and behind-the-scenes leverage.
Directed by Andrew Bergman, The Freshman follows a naive NYU film student, Clark Kellogg, who becomes entangled with a mysterious Mafia figure named Carmine Sabatini. Sabatini, played by Brando, bears a striking resemblance to his iconic role as Vito Corleone. The plot centers on a high-stakes con involving the illegal trade of endangered species, specifically a Komodo dragon, which serves as the centerpiece for an illicit gourmet club catering to the ultra-wealthy.
The production was marked by significant behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Bergman, inspired by a real-life news story about mobster Vincent Teresa, secured Brando for a $3 million base salary. Brando’s presence was the key to the film's casting, attracting Matthew Broderick and nearly securing Laurence Olivier, who was ultimately too ill to participate. Filming, which began in June 1989 after an eight-month delay, utilized Asian water monitors as stand-ins for the Komodo dragon, as the real species was too endangered for the production's needs.
Despite Brando’s initial public condemnation—a tactical move to extract an extra $1 million for a week of overtime—the film was a critical success. Critics like Roger Ebert praised Brando’s triumphant self-parody, while Gene Siskel lauded the script’s blend of film-school satire and caper dynamics. The film grossed $21.5 million against a $12 million budget, proving that the onscreen chemistry between the veteran star and his younger counterpart resonated with audiences, even if the off-screen negotiations were far more cynical than the plot itself.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Freshman (1990 film)
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