The Prestige Author Almost Chose Sam Mendes, Until One VHS Tape of Nolan’s Debut Changed His Mind
As The Prestige turns 20, with a 70mm re-release set for January 21, 2027, the author’s own account shows how Nolan won the job over...
Commando Was Written for Gene Simmons, Not Schwarzenegger, and the Original Hero Was an Israeli Soldier Who Gave Up Violence
Arnold Schwarzenegger was on a roll in the ’80s, and Commando was one of them that featured the action star’s larger-than-life, quippy on-screen persona at...
The Evil Dead Turns 45: Its Gooiest Scene Was Made With Oatmeal, Marshmallows, and Real Cockroaches
The Evil Dead premiered in Detroit on October 15, 1981. Sam Raimi’s low-budget debut ended with a melting finale built from oatmeal, marshmallow, snakes, and...
The 1994 Street Fighter Movie Was Pitched as a James Bond Adventure
Days before the new Street Fighter opens, here is how the 1994 original went from a James Bond-style pitch to a ratings fight that nearly...
Mulholland Drive at 25: ABC Rejected It as “Too Dark, Slow, and Confusing,” Then David Lynch Meditated and “All the Ideas Came”
The pilot ABC killed became David Lynch’s masterpiece after one night of meditation. Here is the story behind Mulholland Drive, 25 years later.
The Long Kiss Goodnight Turns 30: The Studio Reportedly Wanted Stallone or Seagal. Shane Black Wouldn’t Budge
The post-Cutthroat Island debacle saw Renny Harlin attempt to bounce back in The Long Kiss Goodnight, which has become a 1990s action-movie cult classic (67%...
The Specialist Turns 32: Seagal Reportedly Wanted $9 Million and to Direct, Warner Bros. Said No, and David Fincher Was Turned Down Too
Warner Bros. reportedly offered Steven Seagal the lead and the director’s chair, balked at his $9 million ask, and moved on to Sylvester Stallone and...
The Departed Turns 20: Brad Pitt Beat Harvey Weinstein’s Miramax to the Rights, Then Gave His Role to Matt Damon
The Oscar-winning crime thriller The Departed, where Martin Scorsese did a great job transitioning the 2002 Hong Kong movie Infernal Affairs into a highly respectable...
Tobey Maguire, Eminem and Matt Damon Were All Linked to Training Day. Then Denzel Washington’s Son Told Him to Take the Role
The gritty single-day crime thriller famously marked a career-defining turn for Denzel Washington, who built his decades-long career playing good guys before taking on a...
Joy Ride Turns 25: Stallone Reportedly Wanted To Play Rusty Nail. Buffalo Bill Got the Job
Ted Levine’s uncredited voice made Rusty Nail a horror icon, and the 2001 road thriller shot six endings before letting him live.
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