The Notebook fans would never believe Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams hated each other on the movie set.

Nick Cassavetes’ The Notebook starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams is one of the most beloved contemporary romances in the history of films. Based on Nicholas Sparks’ 1996 romance novel of the same title, the movie earned several accolades, including MTV’s Best Kiss Award where the ex-couple locked lips on stage.

Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling in The Notebook / New Line Cinema

Yes, Gosling and McAdams sparked romance after they filmed the 2004 movie. However, when they first met on the set, it was not as romantic as people thought. In fact, they could not stand to see each other.

The Notebook Director Reveals Ryan Gosling And Rachel McAdams Hated Each Other On Set

Speaking with VH1 via Cosmopolitan, director Nick Cassavetes revealed Ryan Gosling did not like Rachel McAdams because he believed they did not have enough chemistry on screen.

Maybe I’m not supposed to tell this story, but they were really not getting along one day on set. Really not. And Ryan came to me, and there’s 150 people standing in this big scene, and he says, ‘Nick come here.’

Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling in The Notebook / New Line Cinema

He was doing a scene with the actress and shockingly told the filmmaker, “Would you take her out of here and bring in another actress to read off camera with me?” Cassavetes was too stunned but he asked why, and the actor replied, “I can’t do it with her. I’m just not getting anything from this.”

Cassavetes said they all went inside a room with the film’s producer. “They started screaming and yelling at each other,” he revealed. The director could not bear to watch them argue so he went out and smoked cigarettes. “Everybody came out like, ‘All right let’s do this.’ And it got better after that. They had it out.”

Based on this account, fans could see how incredible Gosling and McAdams’ acting skills were because they managed to work together and make people believe they were in love, even when the truth is that they deeply loathed one another.

The filming for the movie was not smooth sailing, but Cassavetes noted how Gosling respected McAdams for standing up for her character. Little did they know, both the actors and the people on the set, that this encounter would be the start of their real-life enemies-to-lovers story.

Ryan Gosling And Rachel McAdams Recreated Their Kiss At The MTV Movie Award

Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling in The Notebook / New Line Cinema

Gosling and McAdams started dating in 2005, but their romance was as rocky as the relationship of their characters in The Notebook. They broke up in 2007 but rekindled the flame briefly before splitting for good.

It’s mind-blowing to think how their award-winning kiss onstage at the MTV Movie Award had a lot of shocking and intriguing backstories many would not believe. The way they used to hate each other did not translate on the screen, and that’s how fans know how effective and wildly talented they are.

Even though their relationship did not last long, Gosling and McAdams still gave fans one of the most unforgettable and romantic movies of the early 2000s.

The Notebook is available to watch on Netflix.