Although Quentin Tarantino and Brad Pitt are known for their close and successful collaboration, not even the best creative relationships are free of moments of tension. As revealed by his co-star Bruce Dern, during the filming of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” there was an unforgettable encounter between the director and the star.

The anecdote came to light while Dern was promoting a new documentary about her life titled “Dernsie,” which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival. The term “Dernsie” refers to the small lines or moments that the veteran actor improvised throughout his career to enhance his performances. And it was precisely one of those improvisations that triggered the tension between Pitt and Tarantino.

What happened?

Dern told People what happened while filming a scene with Pitt. In the sequence, his character is awakened by Brad Pitt's. Following her signature style, Dern added an improvised touch:

"When Brad Pitt wakes me up in 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,' I'm in bed, I wake up a little groggy, and I just say, 'I'm not really sure what's going on,'" the actor explained. “I'm looking at it and Pitt cuts the camera.”

It was then that Tarantino's reaction was immediate. According to Dern, the director approached with an incredibly serious expression and snapped at Pitt:

“Brad, what did you just do?” Pitt responded that he had cut off the camera. And Tarantino, leaving no doubt about who is in charge on his set, replied forcefully:

"You will never cut a camera or be dead in this business again in your life. That's my domain. Don't stop behaving."

Despite the harsh correction, the scene continued. As Dern added, Pitt justified his decision by explaining: “Well, that wasn't in the script what he said.” A reason that points to respect for the original text, although Tarantino did not tolerate it as a valid interruption.

Despite this setback, a source close to both assured Variety that “Quentin is one of Brad's favorite directors, and the two have always had a great working relationship.”

The anecdote, read as a clash of creative egos, did not tarnish the success of the film. “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” became a critical and box office phenomenon, racking up ten Oscar nominations and winning two statuettes, including the award for Best Supporting Actor for Brad Pitt.

And according to new reports, this universe will continue to grow with a sequel that will be called “The Adventures of Cliff Booth.”