Being Charlie Producer Thought Nick Reiner's 'Demons Were Exorcised' Before Rob & Michele's Shocking Murders
by Perez Hilton · Perez HiltonThe Being Charlie crew is reeling after Rob Reiner‘s death.
Rob and his wife Michele were killed this weekend, allegedly at the hands of their own son Nick. Years ago, Rob and Nick’s relationship was on full display when they worked on the film Being Charlie, a semi-autobiographical film inspired by Nick’s addiction issues. He wrote the film and his father directed it.
They said at the time that it brought them a lot closer; however, after the murders, sources claimed they were at each other’s throats on set. A stunt performer recalled witnessing them having a heated argument — and other actors said frustrations between the two would’ve been understandable.
So, what does producer Douglas Shaffer have to say about that?? Speaking to Page Six on Wednesday, Douglas downplayed the drama:
“With film sets, there’s tension. There’s always tension in every movie. So I’ve never not been on a set, and I made 20 something movies, where there hasn’t been some type of disagreement or argument that sometimes gets elevated because you only have a certain amount of time to shoot for the day.”
He added:
“Rob is a very proud guy. Stubborn in some ways. And so I could see where he would have a disagreement, but I wouldn’t feel like I would necessarily classify that as something that was dysfunctional crazy on set.”
Douglas urged:
“It was just a good experience for everybody involved. And so that’s why when all this stuff came up, it was just complete and total shock.”
It’s especially shocking considering Shaffer believed strongly that the 32-year-old had moved on from his dark past:
“Nick… I thought the demons were like exorcised. After the movie, I felt like, ‘Okay, he’s on the up and up. This is good. He’s doing good.’ I had no idea these other issues were happening. So it was a shock. I mean, I thought it was a home invasion at first when I heard. I had no idea.”
If only… Oof.
After hearing the news, the producer reached out to the Being Charlie editor, Bob Joyce, who also worked on Rob’s latest film, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which premiered in the fall. Bob was just as stunned:
“I texted Bob and I said, ‘First of all, are you okay?’ And then, ‘What the hell is going on?’ And he’s just like, ‘I had no idea.’ Everybody’s just taken aback. This is so awful.”
All the producers have connected over the tragedy:
“Our group that the production company worked for, we’re on a chat and we’ve been chatting since this happened. I’ve reached out to Bob. I’ve tried to talk to him. But he’s probably going to need a few days. He’s going to be the one who needs to process this a lot longer. I think he might be a little overwhelmed right now.”
While he can’t speak for everyone, Douglas doesn’t think he’ll watch the movie ever again, explaining:
“It takes the point of view of Charlie, which is Nick. Rewatching the movie I have very little sympathy for that character based on everything that’s happened, because I feel like everything he was given and everything he… you know, his father tried to help him. And to do that, I can’t look at that character because that character represents Nick.”
He added:
“So it would just be a completely different viewing experience. I mean, I haven’t watched it since it happened, but it would be a completely different viewing experience now because you’re not going to feel for that character. You’re supposed to feel for the main character, but if you’re just like, ‘I don’t like that main character now. That character did something terrible.’ You can’t watch it.”
Whoa. It’s so sad.
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