“Dukes of Hazzard” Director Once Thought Burt Reynolds Was Going to Hit Him While Star Was on ‘Major Painkillers’ on Set

**Burt Reynolds and Jay Chandrasekhar’s Unique Experience on The Dukes of Hazzard Set**

Director Jay Chandrasekhar has reflected on his time working with the late Burt Reynolds during the filming of the 2005 movie adaptation of *The Dukes of Hazzard*. Despite facing some unexpected challenges on set, he expressed fondness for the legendary actor, who passed away in 2018.

Chandrasekhar, who gained prominence for directing *Super Troopers* in 2001, shared insights from the filming process during a recent episode of the podcast Mohr Stories, hosted by comedian Jay Mohr. The director recounted an array of wild experiences with Reynolds that were both amusing and intimidating.

“I wanted him to play Boss Hogg in *The Dukes of Hazzard*,” he stated, referring to the character previously portrayed in the original television series from 1979. Chandrasekhar, an ardent admirer of Reynolds, recalled how his own iconic moustache in *Super Troopers* had been a tribute to the star. When the production team approached Reynolds for the role, he initially insisted on directing the film himself. However, upon learning he could not take the director’s chair, Reynolds agreed to participate regardless.

The film, which also featured notable stars such as Johnny Knoxville and Jessica Simpson, was shot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Chandrasekhar vividly recalled his first day of filming when he realised that Reynolds appeared unfamiliar with the script. In fact, it soon became clear to him that the seasoned actor hadn’t reviewed his lines before arriving on set.

Despite this rocky start, Reynolds reassured Chandrasekhar by sharing a trick he had learned from fellow actor James Stewart. With the help of the crew, Reynolds had his lines written on notecards, which he taped to the chests of his co-stars Knoxville and Seann William Scott. However, this solution didn’t fully resolve the situation.

During one scene, Reynolds mistakenly shifted his focus during dialogue, responding with phrases that were not in the script, including a humorous moment when he misaddressed a compliment to Lynda Carter, who starred alongside him. Chandrasekhar detailed how he had to coaching Reynolds from behind the camera, feeding him lines throughout the day. This led to some chaotic interactions, with the actor dramatically “punching the air” near Chandrasekhar’s face in a manner that created both comedy and concern for the director, especially given Reynolds’ physical condition.

As directed to by his assistant, who had witnessed Reynolds’ explosive antics on set before, Chandrasekhar became aware that the actor’s painful back issues from past stunts meant he was unlikely to throw a punch for real. “He’s on major painkillers,” the assistant advised, noting that although Reynolds might exhibit aggressive behaviour, his condition prevented him from injuring others.

Despite such peculiarities, Reynolds had a range of memorable moments that kept the set lively. One particularly noteworthy incident occurred when Reynolds failed to show up for a scheduled filming session with Jessica Simpson. When Chandrasekhar and a couple of the crew were called into Reynolds’ trailer, Reynolds bluntly stated, “I don’t like you,” whilst tossing the director a DVD titled *Burt Reynolds: Why My Back Hurts*. The film featured a montage of stunts from Reynolds’ illustrious career, set to classical music, which cleverly highlighted his once formidable prowess as a leading man.

As filming concluded, Chandrasekhar found himself reflecting on this tumultuous yet meaningful collaboration. On the last day, amidst fond farewells, Reynolds leaned in and asked, “Will you ever forgive me?” This moment resonated deeply with the director, who dismissed any negativity from their time together, stating, “I just love this f—ing guy.”

Although *The Dukes of Hazzard* received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, the film was a financial success, grossing over £109 million worldwide. Reynolds battled personal struggles throughout his life, including a well-documented addiction to painkillers, but continued to work on various projects until his death.

His later appearances included roles in the 2005 remake of *The Longest Yard*, *Elbow Grease* in 2016, and *The Last Movie Star* in 2017. Reynolds was also posthumously cast in Quentin Tarantino’s *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood*, although he passed away prior to filming his scenes, leading to his role being taken over by Bruce Dern.

Chandrasekhar continues to thrive in the film industry, with his latest project, *Super Troopers 3*, now playing in theatres.