The clash that occurred on the set of Hook in 1991 between Steven Spielberg and Julia Roberts caused a stir in Hollywood.

The pressure and challenges of their profession, combined with personal heartbreak, led to an emotional and raw confrontation between two big names in the film industry. This incident exposed a side of Roberts and showcased Spielberg’s capacity to tolerate actors in Hollywood.

The Allure of Hook
Hook
The movie Hook was not just any ordinary film. It was Steven Spielberg’s ambitious retelling of J.M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan story and was considered a significant cinematic event.

The movie aimed to provide a fresh perspective on the story of the young boy who refused to grow up by blending the old-world charm of Neverland with the technological advancements of the modern world.

A crucial character in achieving this fusion was Tinkerbell, played by Julia Roberts. As a bright and shimmering fairy, Tinkerbell required much CGI magic, a realm that Roberts had not previously explored.

Julia Roberts had previously thrived in roles where her characters were firmly grounded in tangible realities, feeding off the emotions of co-stars and the ambiance of physical sets. However, she found herself in unfamiliar waters in her role as Tinkerbell.

Julia Roberts: A Star Out of Her Element

Julia Roberts
Roberts acted mostly against a green screen, making her feel isolated. Without any usual props or cues, she had to rely entirely on Spielberg’s direction and her imagination. The challenge was often too much for her to handle.

Julia Roberts’ on-set tribulations weren’t solely due to the pressures of the green screen. Unbeknownst to many, she also navigated the choppy waters of heartbreak following her recent breakup with actor Kiefer Sutherland.

As tensions increased, the crew started calling it “Tinkerhell,” which was not a fair representation of Robert’s difficult situation. In an interview with EW, Roberts shares that she had never heard of the nickname.
“No. I never heard it. But I’m a normal person. I mean, if I sit in my trailer for six hours doing nothing, I’m going to say, ”What the f— is going on?” I don’t think that’s an outrageous question, I don’t think that’s temperamental either.
So I don’t know what to tell you. I’m not, like, perfect. ”Go wait here for eight hours.” ”Okay, fabulous! You let me know. Can I go get you some coffee?” I have normal frustrations like everybody else, but I don’t consider myself temperamental.”
Steven Spielberg
At first, Steven Spielberg and Julia Roberts had disagreements. Directing a movie as big as Hook was very difficult, and Spielberg was very busy ensuring every part, including Tinkerbell, fit perfectly. Spielberg’s frustration with Roberts was obvious, causing many news stories about their “feud.”

Steven Spielberg eventually expressed a more sympathetic view. As expressed on the Kermode & Mayo radio show (via Daily Express), the director admitted that it was unfortunate that she started working on Hook during such a challenging time.
“Julia probably went through the most trying times of her life, and it was simply bad timing for all of us that she happened to start on Hook at that low point.”
Despite the controversies and conflicts, Hook became a remarkable cinematic masterpiece. It was released in 1991 and aimed to give a fresh take on J.M. Barrie’s timeless classic. While critics had differing opinions, some admired its imaginative plot. Nevertheless, it attracted numerous moviegoers to the theaters.