While real-life criminals Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were friends, actor Paul Newman said that he had some hatred against the youthful Robert Redford during production.

Newman, as Robert LeRoy Parker, or “Butch Cassidy,” and Redford, as Harry Longabaugh, “Sundance Kid,” were convincing in their portrayals of the Wild West buddies, notorious criminals on the run from the law after a string of bank and train robberies.

The 1969 film about real-life outlaws won four Oscars and is regarded as one of the best Westerns ever filmed. Four years later, the two beautiful heartthrobs reunited for another caper picture, The Sting (1973).

Newman and Redford are both legends, and together they created magic. But have you ever wondered how Hollywood celebs get along away from the set?

Newman, who played Butch at the age of 44, acknowledged his desire to play the younger Redford, who was 33 at the time.

In an interview with BBC’s Talking Pictures, Newman stated, “We have a lot of fun together, and we bounce off each other really well.” He added, “I would have wanted to play Sundance. I feel more at ease with that cooled-out feeling. I suppose that’s the straightforward part!”

Redford was a rising star whose performance in the 1965 picture Inside Daisy Clover, co-starring Natalie Wood, earned him the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year.

Newman had already achieved celebrity status with roles in films such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) and Cool Hand Luke (1967).

Steve McQueen declined roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Dirty Harry (1971), The French Connection (1971), and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), leading to the casting of Redford, who starred alongside Newman, who was receiving accolades for his acting and directing.