I know that you see a lot of similar claims in headlines around the internet, but I have to tell you – these secrets and facts are legitimately very cool and unexpected. Keep reading to see whether or not you agree (but you will agree).
If you don’t, well…you’re way cooler than I am. Obviously.
#17. 2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick destroyed nearly all of the film’s props in an attempt to keep them from being used on “lesser” science fiction films.
#16. Titanic
The epic movie cost more to make than the White Star Line spent to build the doomed ship itself.
#15. Rocky IV
This one is too perfect. In an attempt to keep the boxing scenes in the movie looking as real as possible, Stallone asked Dolph Lundgren to actually hit him…and spent eight days in intensive care after he got punched in the chest.
#14. The Wizard of Oz
Toto (the dog) made more money than most of the actors who played the munchkins of Munchkin Land.
#13. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
The “candy” teacup that Gene Wilder takes a bite out of was actually made of wax. The actor had to chomp on it until the end of the take, at which point he spat it out. Totally un-Willy Wonka like of him, if you ask me.
#12. Django Unchained
The blood on Leonardo DiCaprio’s hand during a scene with Kerry Washington is real – he accidentally sliced his hand open but continued acting. He wiped it on her face, arguably making an already powerful scene that much more powerful. Also, gross and unhygienic.
#11. Shrek
Chris Farley was originally cast as the title character, but he had to be replaced after his untimely death.
#10. The Exorcist
The actor who played the radiologist’s assistant is a convicted murder who killed and dismembered gay men in the 1970s. Yeah.
#9. Batman Returns
In what seems like an attempt to win a “worst job ever” contest, Michelle Pfeiffer let them literally vacuum-seal her into her Catwoman costume. I mean, I would have walked. Probably.
#8. The Dark Knight
Heath Ledger’s rendition of Joker frightened everyone – including fellow actor Michael Caine, who was so unsettled he forgot his lines in the first scene they shot together.
#7. Schindler’s List
Steven Spielberg refused to keep any of the cash earned from the film depicting the Holocaust, stating that it would be no better than blood money. He asked instead that the profits be donated to the Jewish community.
#6. Halloween
Michael Myers face mask is just a Captain Kirk mask painted white. Yeah. I know, right?
#5. Alien
Ridley Scott decided not to tell anyone that the xenomorph was going to explode from Kane’s chest. He got the reactions he wanted on camera, but he also made actress Veronica Cartwright pass out!
#4. Pretty Woman
The scene where Richard Gere snaps the jewelry case closed on Julia Roberts’ fingers was improvised, and her adorable (and now iconic) reaction is totally genuine.
#3. The Princess Diaries
Everyone knows Mia Thermopolis was a little on the clumsy side, but the scene where she falls on the bleachers was actually Anne Hathaway slipping up (pun intended). Director Garry Marshall thought it was in character and kept the take.
#2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double, David Holmes, was in an accident while practicing a flying scene that resulted in his being paralyzed. Radcliffe later helped organize a fundraiser to pay for Holmes’ medical bills.
#1. Wonder Woman
Gal Gadot proved everyone wrong (again) about her being the right woman for the role – she filmed her reshoots five months pregnant.
(h/t: Buzzfeed)
We know you can choose a lot of sites to read, but we want you to know that we’re thankful you chose Did You Know.
You rock! Thanks for reading!