In a recent FYC stop for Paramount+’s The Madison, Kurt Russell revisited his 1988 co-star relationship with Michelle Pfeiffer—and described how he found himself acting as a go-between during difficulties between Pfeiffer and director Robert Towne on Tequila S
Kurt Russell didn’t have to go far back in time to find the moment he realized working with Michelle Pfeiffer could come with real strain. At a recent FYC event promoting Paramount+’s The Madison. Russell talked through what it was like returning to the kind of on-screen chemistry fans loved in Tequila Sunrise—nearly 40 years after the 1988 film.
“We had a great time working together,” Russell told People about the experience. He said Pfeiffer “was becoming a major player, and she was a rising star and all of that,” adding that he felt she was “really, really right for [the role].”
But the set itself wasn’t always calm. Russell admitted there “were difficulties between Michelle and [Towne], in all honesty,” explaining that he sometimes stepped in simply because the situation required it.
“I was a bit of a go-between as it were,” he said.
What those issues were between Pfeiffer and Robert Towne—who directed Tequila Sunrise and is best known for directing Chinatown, before passing away—was not made clear. Still, Russell emphasized that the tension didn’t sour everything.
“The relationship” he and Pfeiffer developed, he said, was a “strong” one, and it’s something that has carried through to The Madison.
Pfeiffer, for her part, described that same bond with striking warmth. Speaking to People. she said she “fell in love” with Russell on the set of Tequila Sunrise and that he “showed up to support” her “every day” back then. She added, “It’s who he is as a person. Whenever I would have a tough day or something. I’d go to Kurt. and he just kind of helped me talk it through.”.
Russell and Pfeiffer’s dynamic now has a fresh stage: The Madison. The first season—six episodes—was released in March on Paramount+. It stars Elle Chapman. Beau Garrett. and Matthew Fox. and follows the Clyburn family as they swap New York City sophistication for Montana wilderness. The show has been relatively well-received so far, and Paramount+ has officially renewed it for a second and third season.
Garrett, speaking to Deadline at Paramount+’s All Trails Lead Here event, framed the emotional shift ahead. “The first season was a lot of grief and upheaval,” he said. “Now we’re settling into Montana in Season 2. and I think that there’s a lot that comes with that… There’s going to be stuff that comes up as time goes on.”.
Season 2 production has already wrapped, but the release date hasn’t been revealed. It’s likely to arrive in late 2026 or early 2027, according to the timing outlined for the next chapter of the series.
Back in 1988. Russell was balancing two working relationships that didn’t always line up cleanly—until a strong bond helped push the project forward. Now. with The Madison finding its footing and moving toward more seasons. that same idea keeps echoing: the best work often happens when the people at the center find a way through whatever tension shows up on the way to the next scene.
Kurt Russell Michelle Pfeiffer Tequila Sunrise Robert Towne The Madison Paramount+ FYC Overboard Scarface Elle Chapman Beau Garrett Matthew Fox
So Robert Towne was the problem? I always knew Chinatown energy was off.
Not gonna lie I thought Kurt Russell and Michelle Pfeiffer didn’t even like each other back then?? But now it’s like he was “go-between” so idk. People magazine really be writing the most vague drama.
Wait, I’m confused—was he going between them like… literally standing between them on set, or just like in meetings? Also Tequila Sunrise is 1988 right? 40 years later and still talking about it like it was yesterday. Kinda sad that they won’t even say what the issues were.
This makes it sound like Towne and Pfeiffer had beef, but then he says it didn’t sour anything. That always happens though, like the director is cranky then suddenly it’s “strong relationship” for marketing purposes. I swear everything is just PR, and now Kurt Russell is acting like a therapist. lol