On-set drama in Budapest: Russell Crowe and Rami Malek reportedly clash during ‘Nuremberg’ filming
News broke in early 2024 that Budapest would host the filming of Nuremberg, a World War II-themed historical drama.
The film stars two powerhouse actors—two-time Oscar winner Russell Crowe and Academy Award winner Rami Malek—whose reported off-screen tensions mirrored their on-screen rivalry, according to some Hungarian media outlets.
Filming in Budapest gone wrong
According to Blikk, several local extras and technical crew members said the relationship between Crowe and Malek was tense from day one. Crowe was reportedly friendly and open with the crew, while Malek was more withdrawn—communicating only through his personal assistant and repeatedly rejecting stand-ins until finding one he deemed acceptable.
One crew member claimed Malek’s frequent disappearances and impromptu breaks not only disrupted the filming schedule but also gradually eroded the set’s workflow. Even during the intense scenes, the actor would allegedly exploit technical breaks to leave the set for several minutes, leaving the entire team waiting on him.
Difficult temperaments, even tougher collaboration
Tensions reportedly reached a breaking point during a courtroom scene. After another abrupt departure by Malek, Crowe allegedly lost his temper and shouted at his co-star in a heated exchange that stunned the crew.
“The tension was palpable,” said one report. Following the spat, Malek left the set—and shortly after, Crowe did as well. In Crowe’s case, the departure was permanent.
To finish shooting, a body double was used to stand in for Crowe during the remaining scenes. Although primarily for lighting and setup purposes, the double reportedly appears in a few shots—filmed from behind or under low lighting to prevent recognition.
Crowe’s exit didn’t resolve the troubles. Reports suggest Malek continued to resist cooperation—either arriving late or not at all, despite hundreds of cast and crew waiting from early morning.
In one instance, he didn’t leave his hotel until 1 PM despite a 7 AM call time. He shot one scene, then vanished again. Witnesses noted Malek’s strange, compulsive behavior—always fidgeting with something, appearing distracted—though his on-camera performance remained technically flawless.
What the producer says
Following the controversy, Nuremberg co-producer István Major pushed back on the rumors. He denied any feud between Crowe and Malek, stating their working relationship was free of hostility or rivalry—and warning that such speculation harms Hungary’s reputation as a filming destination.
In an interview with Médiapiac, Major emphasized that all staff signed strict NDAs and that any leak—true or not—undermines Hungary’s appeal to international studios. He claimed Crowe didn’t leave in anger, but rather completed his work and departed as scheduled.
He also denied that Crowe was replaced by an acting double, stating he brought a lighting stand-in solely for technical setup. Major added that Crowe and Malek exchanged gifts at the end of production, contradicting the rumors of animosity.
The world premiere of Nuremberg is set for 7 October, 2025, at the Toronto Film Festival, followed by a screening at Los Angeles’ iconic Chinese Theatre.
The film tells the story of psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Malek), who is assigned to evaluate whether Nazi leaders—among them Hermann Göring (Crowe)—are mentally fit to stand trial.
The psychological and moral clash between the two men serves as a powerful reflection on one of history’s darkest chapters.
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