Ferris Bueller Star Matthew Broderick Spills on On-Set Drama with John Hughes

Matthew Broderick, the star of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, has opened up about the conflicts he had with the late director John Hughes during the film's production. Despite being a beloved '80s classic, Broderick reveals that he and Hughes did not always see eye-to-eye on set. In a recent interview on The Hollywood Reporter's It Happened In Hollywood podcast, the actor shared that there were multiple tense moments during filming. Despite the disagreements, the end result was a success for both Broderick and Hughes.

During the costume test, he appeared to be uneasy and anxious about the outcome. We strolled around the streets of Chicago, and the production team filmed us, including Alan [Ruck], Jennifer Grey, and Mia [Sara]. Unfortunately, when the footage was reviewed, he expressed disappointment as he believed none of us were engaging to watch. While he did have some favorites, I was not one of them. As an actor with prior experience, having worked on War Games and other projects, it was disheartening to hear him say that I was not fully invested in the role. In response, I suggested that he find someone he genuinely liked for the part.

"I've heard similar feedback from other directors who have worked with me. Admittedly, I may come across as inactive at times, but I trust that my actions will speak for themselves in due time. This isn't the first instance where a director has approached me and questioned my approach. In John's case, he had a tendency to show his displeasure in subtle ways. I recall instances where he would go completely silent and give me a deadpan expression when I asked for his thoughts. It was clear that he wasn't thrilled with what I presented."

"He appreciated the way my eyes widened and then narrowed before widening again," I recounted to John. "But I couldn't help feeling self-conscious when he described my facial expressions in detail. I asked him to stop directing me altogether, and he complied for a few days, which made things worse. Eventually, I had to coax him into giving me direction, but that session was our least successful one." John was a dedicated professional who approached his work with a serious demeanor, but he was also forgiving and skilled at finding solutions to problems.

Matthew Broderick Is The Perfect Ferris Bueller

Ferris' cunning and quick thinking is an integral part of the movie's charm, evident in his ability to outmaneuver both his sister and principal. Despite his questionable actions, it's difficult not to root for Ferris due to his carefree and intelligent nature. His ability to outsmart his parents and feign sickness is a testament to the character's ingenuity and resourcefulness. Even though Jeanie is aware of his mischievous behavior, she struggles to keep up with his antics, highlighting just how impressive Ferris' cleverness truly is.

Broderick's natural charisma and charm add a certain likability to his character, despite his mistreatment of his best friend. It's difficult to envision anyone else portraying Ferris Bueller with the same level of enjoyment and thoughtlessness that Broderick brings to the role. Although the set may have had its challenges, Broderick's performance is truly one-of-a-kind.