Robert De Niro Struggled to Film This Hilarious Scene in ‘What Just Happened’

Robert De Niro has made a name for himself with serious roles, but one of the most amusing moments in his career comes from a lesser-known film. The actor recently shared that a particular scene from the 2008 black comedy ‘What Just Happened’ was so humorous that he found it difficult to maintain his composure while filming.

Though the film didn’t achieve major success, De Niro cherishes the memories from the set. In ‘What Just Happened’, he portrays Hollywood producer Ben, a man attempting to salvage his career amidst a failing movie, challenging actors, and the chaotic nature of the entertainment industry.

The satirical film boasts a stellar cast, including Bruce Willis, Kristen Stewart, Sean Penn, Stanley Tucci, and John Turturro. Some actors even appeared as fictional versions of themselves, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Hollywood that blends comedy with industry satire.

Despite its star-studded lineup, the movie faced challenges upon release. With a reported budget of around $25 million, ‘What Just Happened’ managed to gross only about $6.7 million at the box office. Critics were also underwhelmed, with many labeling the film as slow and disappointing.

However, for De Niro, the experience was still enjoyable, particularly due to the moments that made him laugh. In an interview with The Times, he recounted a specific joke involving Mickey Mouse that completely broke his concentration.

“The line about Mickey Mouse dousing himself with petrol and setting himself on fire. I was hysterical. I could never say that line straight. It cracked me up every time,” De Niro told The Times.

That wasn’t the only amusing aspect for De Niro; he also found humor in some of the film’s more shocking scenes, including one involving a dog’s death and another where his character pushes a screenwriter into an open grave.

While audiences did not respond positively to ‘What Just Happened’, the film was released during a challenging phase in De Niro’s career. At that time, several of his projects struggled at the box office. His 2006 film ‘The Good Shepherd’, which he directed, did not perform well financially, and 2008’s ‘Righteous Kill’, which reunited him with Al Pacino, received poor reviews.

Things eventually turned around when De Niro returned to one of his beloved comedy roles. The 2010 sequel ‘Little Fockers’ became a significant box office hit, grossing around $200 million worldwide despite negative critical reception.

Years later, De Niro is set to return to the comedy genre once more. He is reuniting with Ben Stiller for ‘Focker-in-Law’, a new installment in the ‘Meet the Parents’ franchise expected to hit theaters in November.

Although ‘What Just Happened’ may not be regarded as one of De Niro’s standout films, his anecdotes about the production highlight that even less successful movies can lead to unforgettable moments behind the scenes. For him, a peculiar joke about Mickey Mouse became one of the funniest lines he ever had to deliver.

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