Surprising Movie Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
Movies are one of the most entertaining forms of media and are enjoyed around the globe. Whether you are a die-hard movie lover or simply enjoy the occasional flick, you have probably seen a movie or two. While some movie facts are widely known, you may be surprised to find out there are some little-known surprises about these beloved classics. Read on for some surprising movie facts you probably didn’t know.
Actors That are Experienced Stuntmen
Stuntmen and stuntwomen typically provide the most thrilling action sequences in big-budget blockbusters. But did you know there are some actors out there who double as stuntmen? Here are some of the big names in Hollywood who do stunt work in addition to acting:
• Tom Cruise: Tom Cruise does a majority of his stunts for his Mission: Impossible movies. He is known for being averse to using stuntmen to take his place.
• Jackie Chan: Jackie Chan has a long track record of doing his own stunts which has been signature of his amazing kung-fu style action. The legendary actor has done stunts on a variety of his films including Rumble in the Bronx, Police Story, and The Karate Kid.
• Keanu Reeves: Keanu Reeves has done his share of stunt work, including the infamous fight scene in The Matrix. He was also the one to do all of the bike stunts in John Wick, earning him a nomination in the Best Stunt category at the MTV Movie Awards.
Pivotal Scenes That Were Improvised
Many of your favorite scenes from movies were actually improvised. Here are some of the most iconic improvised scenes in film history:
• Forrest Gump: Tom Hanks’ iconic line, “Life is like a box of chocolates,” was actually improvised. The line was so well-received by audiences that it was written into the movie.
• The Dark Knight: Heath Ledger’s award-winning performance as The Joker was mostly improvised. One of the most iconic moments from the movie is the interrogation scene, in which improvisation was used extensively.
• Die Hard: John McClane’s catchphrase, “Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker!” was also improvised. This line has become an iconic quote used in many other movies.
Movie Budget Surprises
We all know that big-budget blockbusters require a lot of money to make. However, you may be surprised by some of the highest and lowest movie budgets of all time. Here are some of the highest and lowest movie budgets of all time:
• Highest Movie Budget – Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides was the most expensive movie ever made, coming in at a whopping $378 million.
• Lowest Movie Budget – Clerks: Clerks, released in 1994, was made on a shoestring budget of only $27,575. Despite its low budget, the film went on to make over $3 million at the box office.
Peculiar Stunts
Stunts are vital to many movies, especially action movies. While some stunts are done with stunt doubles, there are some that require the actors to step up to the challenge. Here are some of the most peculiar stunts done by actors:
• To Live and Die in L.A.: In this movie, Willem Dafoe was flipped backwards from the roof of a moving vehicle to simulate a skydiver. To make the jump less dangerous, Dafoe attached himself to a bungee cord that was hidden in his clothing.
• The Matrix Reloaded: Keanu Reeves had to learn how to bodysurf in order to pull off a stunt where his character surfs through in a sewer.
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Chris Pratt was tossed into a pit filled with gnarling dogs for a scene in the movie. Though a stunt double was used for this scene, the ultimate actor was placed among the CGI-generated hounds, which made Pratt scream like a child.
Exceptional Behind-the-Scenes Secrets
One of the best parts about watching a movie is uncovering some of the secrets and mysteries behind it. Here are some of the most extraordinary behind-the-scenes secrets that you never would have guessed:
• Star Wars: For the scene where Han Solo and Princess Leia share a kiss, Harrison Ford had recently been stung by a bee. He was so in shock that he had to be reminded by director George Lucas to kiss Carrie Fisher.
• The Silence of the Lambs: Jodie Foster plays Clarice Starling in the movie. Originally, the studio wanted Julianne Moore to play the role. However, Foster’s performance was so powerful that the studio eventually cast Foster in the iconic role.
• Jurassic Park: Although Laura Dern’s character, Dr. Ellie Sattler, survived the film, the actress never expected that to happen. As a result, she only wore minimal makeup during the shoot.
Movies contain much more than meets the eye. From the and stuntmen behind the action sequences to the heartwarming stories, movies offer us so much to love and enjoy. We hope you enjoyed these surprising movie facts you probably didn’t know.
