Morgan Freeman has proven time and again just how splendid of an actor he really is. When it comes to some of the most respected actors, his name would rarely ever be off the list. Having so many different movies and awards, the actor has gotten an opportunity to work with some of the most prestigious directors and actors. One of which also includes Gene Hackman.
Freeman collaborated with Hackman on a Clint Eastwood. The movie was certainly packed with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. However, there aren’t many who would dare threaten the respected actor. In fact, no one would choose to do so. Working in movies like Wanted, Lucy, The Shawshank Redemption, and so many more gave him an opportunity to explore; but none frightened him the way Unforgiven did.
Morgan Freeman Was Scared Of Gene Hackman
Morgan Freeman was rather happy getting to work with Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman in Unforgiven. However, he never expected to be frightened by his own co-star. While Freeman starred as Ned Logan, Hackman starred against him as Little Bill Daggett. The dynamic that the two shared was one that both of them portrayed beautifully. Interestingly enough, the terror that the Lucy star’s character experienced was not all fake.
“The essence to me of acting is listening. Gene leaned into my ear and he said, and I’ll paraphrase this, ‘I’m gonna ask you some questions, and if your answers don’t match up with the answers that I’ve already got, I’m gonna hurt you.’ I believed him.”
Freeman is proud of how good of a listener he is, but that ability backfired while he was working with Hackman. The actor threatened him, although while in character, he told him that he would hurt him. His acting was so good that Freeman had no other option but to believe it, completely flabbergasted by what would happen if his threat was real.
The Scene That Scared Morgan Freeman
Although Morgan Freeman paraphrased the threat that came his way, the actual line from Unforgiven was one that, if delivered properly, could certainly bring chills down someone’s spine. That is exactly what Gene Hackman achieved.
“Now, Ned. Them whores gonna tell different lies than you. And when their lies ain’t the same as your lies, well, I ain’t gonna hurt no woman. I’m gonna hurt you, and not gentle like before. But bad.”
His stone-cold words hit him exactly on the spot and the fear that took over Freeman was one he did not forget for a while. They both went through the scene beautifully and credit for that most certainly goes to the powerful acting displayed by Hackman.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
