The verbal abuse controversy on the set of 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' has finally been nipped in the bud, with both parties involved coming together in agreement of what happened while filming.
It seemed that Winona Ryder and Francis Ford Coppola didn't exactly see eye-to-eye while on the set of the gothic reimagining of the Irish author's novel. Ryder recently stated that the director, who is famed for 'The Godfather' and 'Apocalypse Now', hurled abuse at her during her time on the movie set in 1992.
The actress recently said in an interview with The Sunday Times that her good friend Keanu Reeves didn't act on Coppola's wishes for the male cast (including Anthony Hopkins) to hurl abuse at her, unlike the director who she said repeatedly shouted "You whore!" in order to get her to cry for the scene in question.
Now however, it seems that Ryder has backtracked on her previous statement, and has come to agree with Coppola's version of the story.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the 81-year-old says he remembers the moment in question quite clearly. He explains: "While I think Winona is a wonderful actor, the incident she described is not how it happened, and shouting or abusing people isn't something I do as a person or as a filmmaker.
"In this situation, which I remember clearly, I instructed Gary Oldman — in character as Dracula — to whisper improvised words to her and the other characters, making them as horrific and evil as he could. I don't know what was said, but improvisation is a common filmmaking practice."
A spokesperson for Ryder has confirmed that Coppola's version of events is indeed true. The statement reads: "Winona and Francis are in agreement and his recollection is correct. He asked the actors in character to say horrible things to Winona as a technique to help her cry for the scene. Although that technique didn't work for her, she loves and respects him and considers it a great privilege to have worked with him."
All's well that ends well. Next up for the director, he'll be working on 'Megalopolis' with Jude Law; while Ryder will be back for season four of 'Stranger Things'.
