Hollywood is a place full of secrets. When an actor or actress signs on to a project, they are privy to information that the general public will never know. Even the smallest details about a movie can be kept under wraps to prevent spoilers.
However, some behind-the-scenes secrets have managed to make their way into the public eye. These are the stories that Hollywood does not want you to know.
1. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Wizard of Oz is one of the most beloved films. It has been watched by millions of people and referenced in countless other pop culture works.
However, there are some dark secrets hidden behind the scenes of this classic film.
For starters, the actor who played the Tin Man, Buddy Ebsen, was hospitalized due to an allergic reaction to the aluminum dust used in the makeup application process. He was replaced by Jack Haley.
The Cowardly Lion’s costume was also quite uncomfortable for the actor, Bert Lahr. The lion’s head would often slip and obstruct his vision, leading to several on-set accidents.
2. The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist is widely regarded as one of the most terrifying films ever made. It tells the story of a young girl possessed by a demon and her mother's desperate struggle to save her.
However, one aspect of the film started a rumor about demons being involved in its production. The demon featured at the end of the film was played by an actor who was covered in prosthetics and wearing contact lenses with two red dots on them to make his eyes look even more menacing than they already were. However, as it turns out, those red dots were actually just held on during filming with tape! This created inevitable problems since tape and prosthetics don't go well together. In fact, the actor ended up scratching his corneas (and subsequently getting sick) due to all of the tape residue left over from filming.
3. Twilight (2008)
The Twilight franchise is one of the most popular (and polarizing) films in recent memory. It tells the story of a human girl who falls in love with a vampire and the dangerous world that they inhabit together.
While the movies may not be everyone's cup of tea, there is no denying that they were extremely successful at the box office. However, not even the actors involved in the films were immune to the negative backlash. In fact, Kristen Stewart, who played Bella Swan in the series, revealed in an interview that she was so affected by the hateful comments directed toward her character that she actually started to hate herself. Thankfully, she could get past it and turned things around with her performance in Snow White and the Huntsman (2012).
4. Pretty Woman (1990)
Pretty Woman tells the story of a successful businessman who hires a prostitute for one week but ends up falling in love with her instead. Upon its release, it was an instant box office hit and has since become something of a classic.
However, one aspect of the film has always been shrouded in secrecy—the ending. Many fans were upset when they saw that the couple they had fallen in love with did not end up together at the movie's end. No one knows why this choice was made by producer Steven Spielberg as he left Paramount Pictures before the film was even released.
5. The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight is widely regarded as one of the best superhero films ever made. It features an iconic performance by Heath Ledger as The Joker. It is often cited as one of the main reasons comic book movies are taken seriously by critics and audiences alike.
However, one dark secret is hidden behind the scenes of this classic film—Heath Ledger's death. Just months after completing his work on The Dark Knight, Ledger passed away from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. His death sent shockwaves through Hollywood and left many wondering if his role as The Joker had anything to do with it. Thankfully, Ledger’s friend Jack Nicholson (who played The Joker in the 1989 Batman film) said that he was certain that his death had nothing to do with his role.
6. Titanic (1997)
Titanic tells the story of a woman on board the famous ship as it sinks but ends up surviving by clinging to her true love until help arrives. It won 11 Academy Awards and became one of the highest-grossing movies. This feat remains unsurpassed in Hollywood history.
However, one dark secret is hidden behind the scenes of this classic movie—James Cameron's ego! While filming one scene, James Cameron got upset when Leo DiCaprio failed to recite a line properly. In a fit of rage, Cameron reportedly threw a piece of wood at him, which hit him in the face and gave him a black eye. Thankfully, the two have since made up and are now good friends.
7. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made. It tells the story of a man who is wrongfully imprisoned for murder and his struggle to adapt to life behind bars.
However, it seems that not even the actors involved in the film were immune to the negative aspects of prison life. In fact, during one particular scene, Morgan Freeman was so affected by the realism of the set that he actually started to cry. Thankfully, his co-star Tim Robbins was on hand to comfort him and help him get through the scene.
8. Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump tells the story of a simple man who becomes involved in some of the most iconic moments in American history. Upon its release, it was an instant box office success and has since become something of a classic.
However, there is one dark secret hidden behind the scenes of this feel-good movie—the death of Forrest's mother. We see Forrest's mother die from a terminal illness in the film. Still, she actually passed away from cancer just two weeks after filming wrapped up. Her son Tom Hanks was on hand to support her during her final days.
9. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a classic Steven Spielberg film about a young boy who befriends an alien and helps him get back home. It was an instant box office success upon its release and has since become one of the most iconic films.
However, one dark secret is hidden behind the scenes of this classic film—the death of E.T.'s creator, Carlo Rambaldi. Just months after completing his work on the film, Rambaldi passed away from cancer at 86. His legacy lives on through his iconic creation.
10. Gladiator (2000)
The dark secret hidden behind the scenes of this classic film is the death of actor Oliver Reed. Reed died from a heart attack during a break in filming. His death meant that his character, Boromir, had to be written out of the film. Thankfully, Jackson used previously filmed footage of Reed and some clever editing to keep his character in the movie.
11. The Hunger Games (2012)
The Hunger Games is the first instalment in Suzanne Collins' dystopian trilogy about a young girl forced to compete in a deadly televised competition. Upon its release, it was an instant box office success and has since spawned two sequels.
However, there is one dark secret hidden behind the scenes of this franchise—the death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hoffman died from an accidental overdose just weeks before the final film's release in the franchise. His death left many wondering if he would still be alive if he had chosen to pass on the franchise. However, his character was written from the last film, and his scenes were re-cast with a different actor.
12. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Empire Strikes Back is widely considered one of the best installments in George Lucas' original Star Wars trilogy. It tells the story of Luke Skywalker and his journey to becoming a Jedi Knight.
However, there is one dark secret hidden behind the scenes of this classic film—the death of actress Carrie Fisher. Fisher died from an accidental overdose just weeks before her daughter Billie Lourd attended the premiere for Episode VIII: The Last Jedi in 2017. She was posthumously awarded the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for the audiobook version of her memoir, The Princess Diarist.
13. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is the eighth and final instalment in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. It brings an end to Harry’s battle against Lord Voldemort and concludes the story arc that began in the first film.
However, there is one dark secret hidden behind the scenes of this classic film—the death of actor Alan Rickman. He had cancer, but he did not tell anyone while shooting the movie. Rickman died from cancer just months before the release of the film. His death left many wondering if his character, Severus Snape, would die in the film. Rowling was able to keep his death a secret until after the film's release, and Snape died a hero’s death.
14. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The Dark Knight Rises is widely considered to be one of the best instalments in Christopher Nolan's original Batman trilogy. It tells the story of Bruce Wayne and Bane as they attempt to save Gotham City from destruction. It was a box office success upon its release. It went on to win multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture—making it only the second superhero film to achieve this feat after 1989's Batman.
However, there is one dark secret hidden behind the scenes of this classic film—the death of actress Matthew Modine's Peter in the movie. The scene made the actor sick, but the scene was later cut to get a PG-13 rating. Christopher Nolan also dropped a real plane from the sky.
15. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the second instalment in The Hunger Games franchise. It continues the story of Katniss Everdeen as she is forced to compete in the Quarter Quell—a special edition of the Hunger Games that features past winners. It was a box office success upon its release. It went on to win multiple Academy Awards, making it one of the best movies ever.
One famous behind the scene shows Jennifer Lawrence shooting for a scene in a jungle. Though she was pretending to be alone in the movie but in actual, she was surrounded by a lot of cameramen. Her confidence to act in many people makes her a great actress.
Takeaway
If you're a movie buff, the secrets we reveal about your favorite films will blow your mind. Even if you're not into movies, some great takeaways here can help you understand how Hollywood works and why some films succeed while others flop. These insights will give you a peek behind the scenes of some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters, from casting choices to filming strategies. What do you think is the most exciting secret from our list?
