Watching a great film is an undeniably magical experience for the viewer. However, many of the most iconic films of all time were nothing less than torturous to be a part of for the those involved in their making. And while you may think you know everything there is to know about your favorite films, there’s plenty of info you won’t even find in the director’s cut that might just surprise even the biggest movie buffs.
From on-set conditions that nearly killed major stars to the shocking way actors got in character, we’ve rounded up the most surprising behind-the-scenes secrets from your favorite movies. And when you’re looking to improve your movie knowledge, make sure to you’ve seen these 20 Iconic Films You Should Have Watched by Now.
1 Jamie Foxx Glued His Eyes Shut for His Role in Ray
To really commit to his character in the Ray Charles biopic, Jamie Foxx actually had his eyes glued shut for 14 hours at a time while filming. His dedication undeniably paid off, however, when he went home with the Oscar for Best Actor.
2 Debbie Reynolds Danced Until Her Feet Bled in Singin’ In the Rain
Gene Kelly was reportedly so unkind to Debbie Reynolds because of her lack of dancing experience when the two filmed Singin’ in the Rain that the actress wept between takes. Worse yet, she was forced to dance for such long periods of time that her feet bled.
“Singin’ in the Rain and childbirth were the two hardest things I ever had to do in my life,” said the actress of her experience. Ready to show off your inner movie buff? Get familiar with these 37 Movies Everyone Over 40 Should Be Able to Quote.
3 Tony Todd Actually Put Bees in His Mouth for Candyman
To shoot the infamous bee scene in Candyman, actor Tony Todd actually filled his mouth with live bees. “I got 23 stings over the course of three movies,” Todd told TMZ. “But I had a great lawyer.” And for more spooky movies, check out these 20 Kids’ Films That Will Definitely Traumatize Your Children.
4 Jack Nicholson Pulled a Real Gun on Leonardo DiCaprio in The Departed
If you think Leonardo DiCaprio’s look of surprise when Jack Nicholson draws a gun on him in The Departed is convincing, it’s because the younger actor was legitimately afraid. “[Jack] pulled a gun on him. He didn’t tell me he had a gun… Leo’s reaction is real-time,” said director Martin Scorsese of the famous scene.
5 The Actors’ Reactions to the Chestburster in Alien Are Genuine
The actors in Alien were simply told “this thing emerges,” according to Sigourney Weaver, but were given no other information about how graphic the scene would become.
“It was real, man,” actor Yaphet Kotto, who played Parker, told The Guardian. “We didn’t see that coming. We were freaked. The actors were all frightened.”
