The “Waterworld” Disaster and the Hula Dancer

The legend of Waterworld as a “box office bomb” is only half the story. The real rumor involved Costner’s behavior on set. Production was plagued by a hurricane that sank the $5 million set, jellyfish stings, and Costner’s alleged “diva” demands, including staying in a $4,500-a-night villa while crew members lived in trailers.

Even more scandalous was the rumor that Costner had an affair with a Hawaiian hula dancer during filming, which reportedly became the “nail in the coffin” for his 16-year marriage to his first wife, Cindy. Though the movie eventually broke even, the “Fishtar” reputation has never quite left him.