If there’s one thing we know about Hollywood it’s that no two movies are ever alike. Every project is a unique chance to experience life as a character and the movies are no exception. While many films are made with a focus on the story, there are others that exist simply to prove a point. We’ve compiled a list of the top five rivalries in Hollywood history that were most certainly not made to entertain.
Drake vs. Taylor Swift
The ongoing battle between Drake and Taylor Swift is, without question, one of the most compelling rivalries in recent memory. The pair of pop stars represent the antithesis of each other, with Drake possessing all the sensual promise of youth while Swift represents the storied idealism of an older generation. It wouldn’t be surprising if one or both of them ended up dethroning Prince as the king of pop.
Tom Hardy vs. Leonardo DiCaprio
After several years of teasing, it was announced that Leonardo DiCaprio would finally take on one of the most recognizable faces of all time in a live-action adaptation of The Fall of the Roman Empire. While DiCaprio has shown himself to be a worthy opponent in previous movies, this would prove to be more than enough for the great actor. With his inimitable blend of charm and danger, DiCaprio would be stepping into a role that would make even the most diehard fan blush.
Charlize Theron vs. Meryl Streep
Another showdown between two of the greatest actresses of all time! While Theron is best known for portraying the fierce and independent Sara Hennenberger in the 2005 movie Monster, she would soon be making a name for herself as society’s ultimate dream girl. In 2007, Theron would land her first lead role in the hugely anticipated movie Age of Innocence, based on the Edith Wharton story of the same name. It wouldn’t be long before Theron became the golden girl of Hollywood, scoring major roles in prominent films such as 2013’s Gone Girl and this year’s leading role in The Huntsman: Winter’s War. This rivalry, which spanned six years, has a rich history that’s worth exploring.
Brad Pitt vs. George Clooney
When it comes to rivalries between Hollywood megastars, you won’t find a pair more storied than Brad Pitt and George Clooney. The British actor’s résumé is unparalleled, having starred in some of the most memorable movies of all time, while the American film-maker’s oeuvre is equally as impressive. The two are two of the greatest actors of their generation and it’s easy to see why. Their combination of humor and charm is unmatched.
The rivalry between the two reached its zenith in 2006 when Pitt appeared in a Pepsi ad that was critical of Clooney’s film S.W.A.T.. In an interview with Interview Magazine, Pitt derided Clooney’s movies as “so dumb and so badly acted” that they’re “not even funny.” The brash remarks didn’t sit well with the audience, who reacted with fury on social media, prompting an impromptu war of words between the two.
Al Pacino vs. Robert DeNiro
Few actors in Hollywood have embodied the essence of both cool and dangerous beauty than Al Pacino. The Italian-Canadian actor’s resumé is unparalleled, boasting an astonishing range of memorable characters. He won an Academy Award in 1984 for his portrayal of gangster Michael Corleone in The Godfather, which he reprised in The Godfather Part II. He also starred in some of the greatest films of all time, including 1969’s magnificent Once Upon a Time in America and 1987’s legendary The Untouchables. In 2014, Pacino appeared in the lead role of CIA officer Mike Beck in the spy thriller Grand Siesta, which he described as, “…a far cry from The Godfather, but I love it.” This year alone, Pacino has two more films set for release, one of which is opposite Robert DeNiro.
Harrison Ford vs. Kevin Costner
It’s unlikely that you’ll come across a Hollywood rivalry hotter than the one between Harrison Ford and Kevin Costner. The American actor is best known for portraying legendary Hollywood movie icons, including Han Solo in the Star Wars saga and Richard Harris (Agent Coulson) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while the latter is a two-time Academy Award winner for his portrayal of Johnny Cash. The two first collided on the big screen in 1987’s The Untouchables, with which Costner portrayed the controversial FBI agent, who protected the public from evil. The friendship between the two would blossom over the years, with Costner serving as godfather to Ford’s children and the two embarking on a variety of cooperative projects, including 2011’s The Three Musketeers and this year’s Ford-produced western The Kidnapping of Edith Cavell. This year, Costner will appear in Ford’s upcoming sequel, Ford v. Ferrari.
Harrison Ford (right) with Kevin Costner (left) in The Untouchables (1987).
For decades, Harrison Ford has been Hollywood’s go-to guy for iconic movie characterizations, playing everything from Indiana Jones to Han Solo. However, it was not always thus. Before becoming a permanent member of the acting community, Ford spent years playing minor characters in films, the vast majority of which are now considered some of the greatest works of all time. In 1987, he would finally get the chance to play a lead role in The Untouchables, a film that’s now considered to be one of the most important releases in movie history. The film is credited with revitalizing the 1987 Montreal Summer Olympics and introducing a world audience to the exciting sport of kayaking (although we’ll argue that swimming pools represent the gold standard of aquatic sports).
Marilyn Monroe vs. Barbara Hutton
One of the most fascinating aspects of Hollywood history is the rich legacy left behind by some of its most prominent stars. One such example is the rivalry between Marilyn Monroe and Barbara Hutton. Monroe is best known for her role as the iconic Norma Jean in the 1941 film How to Marry a Millionaire, for which she won an Academy Award. Despite her Academy Award-winning performance, the once in a lifetime opportunity to work with top Hollywood star Greta Garbo never materialized for Monroe. She was largely relegated to bit parts in lesser films and television programs, with the majority of her screen time filled by younger actresses, who were eager to take on the glamorous Norma Jean in fashion magazine stories and advertisements. She was finally able to play a leading role in a film in 1954, appearing in The Seven Year Itch as a flight attendant who befriends Peter Brooks, played by Jack Webb. It would be her last major role before her untimely death at the age of 37.
In contrast, Barbara Hutton is one of the most recognizable names in American history, credited with playing a major role in the fashion industry’s embrace of high-end, designer goods. She is most well known for having founded the famous “Barbara Hutton Stores” chain of luxury department stores. Born to a wealthy family and raised in New York City, Hutton attended the exclusive Miss Porter’s School and then Radcliffe College, before studying economics and business at Harvard University. She then launched a fashion retail empire, which rapidly expanded into other areas of retail and ultimately led to her creating and founding the Barbara Hutton Stores chain, which ultimately became known as “Harrods” in England. She was named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world in 1983.
Barbara Hutton: the founder of the “Barbara Hutton Stores” chain. (Credit: Hulton Archive / Getty Images)
Barbara Hutton (Credit: Hulton Archive / Getty Images)
Whether or not you’ve heard of Barbara Hutton, it’s highly likely that you’ve seen one of her famous diamonds. The “Diamond Baroness” is as renowned for her extravagant spending as she is her unparalleled collection of diamonds. She is often credited with bringing the sparkle of diamonds to the masses and playing a major role in the industry’s emergence as a status symbol. Hutton began by purchasing diamonds as wedding presents for friends and family, but eventually turned to buying entire diamonds as investments, amassing a collection of some 450 stones by 1945. That same year, Hutton became the first woman to be elected to the board of directors of the Gem Diamond Trade Federation, serving as the organization’s youngest member until her resignation in 1967.