 Director Michael Cimino (I) (qv) convinced  Christopher Walken (qv) to spit in Michaels face. When Walken  actually did it, Robert De Niro (qv) was completely surprised by  it, as evidence by his reaction. In fact, De Niro was so furious  about it he nearly left the set. Cimino later said of Walken: "Hes  got courage!"