Take one part historical insight, one part movie lore, and a heap of fun facts, and what do you get? The Reel Deal! A new way of looking at some of Hollywood’s greatest hits, this article will take a deep dive into all the fascinating and unknown facts about some of the biggest films of all time. From behind-the-scenes secrets to cast secrets, this piece will uncover the untold stories and tidbits of some of the most beloved Hollywood gems.
The King of Horror: What You Didn’t Know About Stephen King’s IT
When you talk about classic horror films, one of the first movies to be mentioned is Stephen King’s IT. Released in 1990, the movie has become a cult classic and is still one of the most watched horror films of all time. However, there is a lot more to this movie than you think. Here are some of the fun and surprising facts about Stephen King’s scary masterpiece.
Behind-the-Scenes Tidbits
One of the main elements of Stephen King’s IT is that of a clown. However, there was one big problem – the original producer wanted to cast David Letterman as the lead clown! It was only when the need for the star power of Johnny Depp was realized that this idea was eventually ditched.
In addition to this, much of the movie was shot at night. Consequently, the cast used this time to play poker and enjoy some late-night treats. The film crew also brought in a clown to entertain the actors during breaks, thus creating an added layer of confusion!
Cast Secrets
The face of the movie was undoubtedly that of Pennywise the Clown, played by Tim Curry. While he might have scared us all in the movie, little is known about the actor’s behavior behind the scenes. Curry was quite the prankster on set and was even known to call the other actors during late hours of the night, playing pranks and maintaining a good vibe in the set.
Another major cast member was Jonathan Brandis as young Bill Denbrough. It has been widely reported that the young star was quite close to the late Robin Williams and even learned a few jokes from him. It is believed that he had a strong affinity towards Williams because of their both being actors of the same age.
Popular Culture Influence
It’s an undeniable fact that Stephen King’s IT has made an indelible impact on the fabric of pop culture. The movie was even re-made in 2017 and proved to be just as popular as ever!
Perhaps the movie’s biggest influence came from its iconic dancing clown scene. This is evidenced by the fact that McDonalds released a Happy Meal inspired by the film. The meal came with a “creepy clown cup” along with several toys, books and videos.
Tie-Ins
In a first of its kind move, Stephen King’s IT was given a tie-in book and novel published in 1989, one year before the movie premiered. This was considered to be a huge risk in that era, as it was basically unheard of for a franchise to have a pre-published book prior to the movie’s release. As a result, the movie was well promoted before it even hit the cinemas.
Enduring Success
It’s clear to see that Stephen King’s IT has already achieved the status of a revered classic. Moreover, it enjoyed huge success upon its release, with the movie becoming the twelfth highest grossing movie of the year. It was also the first horror movie to be nominated for an Academy Award!
It is a testament to the originality and storytelling of Stephen King’s IT that the movie has remained alive and well in the hearts and minds of movie-goers since its initial release over thirty years ago. From behind-the-scenes anecdotes to cast and crew secrets, this article has explored the fun facts that make this horror classic truly one of a kind. Whether you’ve been a fan since the very beginning or whether you’re just now discovering the movie, there’s no denying the cultural influence and influence of Stephen King’s IT.
