TRIVIA TIDBITS
Welcome back to Trivia Tidbits. For those of you out of the loop, this is a little compilation of 10 movie related facts that I always find interesting. So without further ado, this weeks are…
1: Matthew McConaughey was for some time strongly considered to play Jack Dawson in James Cameron’s “Titanic” until Leonardo DiCaprio decided to accept the part.
2: Ben Affleck is known for being a very good impressionist. He usually picks one of his costars while filming a movie and studies them. He displays his impressions on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno almost every time he is a guest. While filming “The Sum of All Fears“, he chose to study co-star Morgan Freeman. When he showed Morgan his impression on set, it was so accurate Freeman told him, “You ever do that again, I’ll kill you“.
3: After completing “The Aviator“, Martin Scorsese kept Alec Baldwin in mind for future collaboration and ultimately decided to cast him in the role of Ellerby in “The Departed” which was offered to Mel Gibson first. Gibson was unable to accept the part, though, because he was starting production on “Apocalypto” at the time.
4: Originally the film “Devil’s Advocate” was a more special-effects oriented, blockbuster-type movie and was turned down by Al Pacino five times. But when director Taylor Hackford went through a few script re-writes he offered it to Pacino again. Pacino liked it, but didn’t think he could portray Milton properly, and suggested Sean Connery or Robert Redford instead.
5: During interviews with Christian Bale whilst promoting “Batman Begins“, he continued using the American accent he’d adopted to play Bruce Wayne/Batman. He explained that he didn’t want potential moviegoers to be confused about why Batman, an American institution, was being played by an Welshman. However, this may not be the whole truth, as Bale rarely gives an interview in his native Welsh accent. It is believed that this is because Bale is always using whichever accent is required for his next role, which reflects his commitment as a method actor.
6: In “The Counselor” Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Renner were considered to play Reiner (played by Javier Bardem). Brad Pitt was also interested in the role before he was cast as Westray. Angelina Jolie was originally cast as Malkina but dropped out and was replaced by Cameron Diaz while Natalie Portman was considered for the role of Laura before it went to Penelope Cruz.
7: The last name of the first Blue Ranger on “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” was named after Bryan Cranston. He did various work as part of the crew (voice-overs, etc.), so the Blue Ranger’s full name became Billy Cranston.
8: In the 1970s, long before he became an actor, “Alien3” star Charles S. Dutton was convicted of manslaughter and served a 7 year sentence. Shortly after his release he was convicted of illegal possession of a firearm and served another 3 years. While in prison he assaulted a corrections officer and acted as the ringleader of a prison riot. He was sentenced to an additional 7 1/2 years. It was in prison that he started a theatre group and by the time he was released he had a two-year college degree.
9: According to director Jon Favreau, Clive Owen and Sam Rockwell were among the actors that were considered for Tony Stark in “Iron Man” before Robert Downey Jr, was cast. Rockwell would, however, get a part in “Iron Man 2” as Stark’s rival Justin Hammer.
10: Given the story of Alfonso Cauron’s “Children Of Men” (a baby representing a new hope for humanity) there are many references to the story of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph from the Christian Bible. Theo (whose name is the Greek root meaning “God“) first sees that Kee is pregnant in a barn, among farm animals – a reference to Jesus’ birth in a manger. When Theo sees her pregnancy, he swears, “Jesus Christ!” Kee jokes that she is a virgin, a reference to the Christian belief that Mary was a virgin before, during, and after her pregnancy. Theo is seen washing or soaking his feet several times during the movie; there are several references to Jesus or saints washing their feet or having them washed in the Christian Bible, and foot washing is a ritual in some Christian denominations and in Islam. The name of the ‘Fishes‘ group is also a Christian reference. In fact, the ‘fish’ was one of the very first symbols in Christian art. Fish, in Greek, is spelled “IXTHYS” which served as an acronym for “Iesous Xhristos Theou Hyios Soter“:
I (esous = Jesus)
X (ristos = Christ)
TH (eou = God’s)
Y (ios = Son)
S (oter = Saviour)
So there you have it. 10 esoteric Tidbits to masticate on. Some you may know. Some you may not. If you have any thoughts, stick your donations in the comment box…
(For earlier editions of Trivia Tidbits click here.)
MARKED MOVIES 
February 2, 2014 at 2:09 pm
Gosh, Jeremy Renner would have made a terrible Reiner.
Weird to picture McConaughey in Titanic, makes you wonder how his career would have gone after that. Still, his career has finally taken off, so I don’t think he’s that bothered, haha.
Great post! Number 10 is definitely interesting, I should give Children of Men another watch soon.
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February 2, 2014 at 3:24 pm
I haven’t see The Counselor yet so I can’t really comment too much on that but you’re right, McConaughey’s career has certainly found its feet regardless of Titanic. If anything he’d still have went down the rom-com route, I reckon.
Children of Men is always worth another visit but it’s even better when you consider the biblical edge to it.
Thanks for stopping in, man.
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February 2, 2014 at 10:39 pm
No worries.
Do you have any plans to watch The Counselor?
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February 2, 2014 at 2:20 pm
Never knew that Bryan Cranston was involved in Power Rangers. And that Children of Men fact is really interesting. Great trivia as always.
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February 2, 2014 at 3:25 pm
Yeah, Cranston was originally involved in shows like this were he would contribute all sorts of voiceover’s and stuff. That’s how he started out.
Children of Men is fact, though, isn’t it?
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February 2, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Very interesting facts.
Love the Children of Men analysis. And I what would have happened if Reiner had been played by Renner. The Counselor certainly couldn’t have been any worse.
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February 3, 2014 at 6:28 pm
Cheers J. Yeah, I’ve not seen The counselor yet but from what I’ve heard Renner wouldn’t haven’t improved the film. A lucky escape it would seem.
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February 3, 2014 at 6:37 pm
Yeah. I don’t think that movie improvable. Really. It’s just awful.
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February 3, 2014 at 6:47 pm
I’m still quite interested in seeing it but I’m not holding out for too much.
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February 2, 2014 at 2:49 pm
Awesome list again, really interested to see that Affleck performance now 🙂
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February 3, 2014 at 6:29 pm
Cheers Nostra. I’m quite keen to see some of Affleck’s impersonations myself.
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February 2, 2014 at 3:12 pm
great list Mark.
love the MM bit. Titanic would have been much different for sure…
didn’t know Affleck did impressions, love MF’s response. Hilarious
Keep em coming!
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February 3, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Thanks Rob. Glad to hear your enjoying them. I reckon MM could have worked in Titanic. Didn’t like the film though, regardless of the cast.
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February 2, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Awesome, Mark. Loved #10. For #2, Ben’s buddy Matt Damon also likes impersonating. I’ve seen him many times on night shows imitating Matthew McConaughey to perfection. Funny about Freeman!
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February 3, 2014 at 6:32 pm
Thanks Cindy. I’ve seen Damon do McConaughey and he was rather good. I’d like to see some of Affleck’s as well though.
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February 2, 2014 at 4:37 pm
Man, those people who dropped out of The Counselor really dodged a bullet 😛
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February 2, 2014 at 10:47 pm
Couldn’t agree more on that! I said the same thing below haha 😀
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February 3, 2014 at 6:33 pm
Haha. I haven’t seen it yet but it does sound like it was an escape for a few people.
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February 2, 2014 at 5:19 pm
#2 made me laugh!
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February 3, 2014 at 6:34 pm
Nice! Glad to be of service Misty! 😉
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February 2, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Excellent trivia, Children of Men is very interesting.
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February 3, 2014 at 6:35 pm
Cheers Vinnie! It’s interesting indeed and does really add the film overall. It’s a great movie!
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February 2, 2014 at 7:16 pm
“You ever do that again, I’ll kill you“ HAHA xD
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February 3, 2014 at 6:36 pm
🙂 yeah, good ol’ Morgan.
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February 3, 2014 at 8:33 pm
Its his lively hood 😀
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February 2, 2014 at 9:38 pm
Good to read something lighthearted after the news about PS Hoffman’s death.
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February 2, 2014 at 10:47 pm
Cheers to that, I agree completely.
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February 3, 2014 at 6:36 pm
Indeed Mark! Very shitty news, man.
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February 2, 2014 at 10:46 pm
Wow man, #8 is super impressive! Stunning, really. Good for him. And in my eyes, as far as #6 goes, Cooper, Renner, Portman and Jolie really ‘lucked’ out by not being a part of that disgraceful movie. lol. The Counselor I am still bitter towards.
Great stuff man.
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February 3, 2014 at 6:38 pm
Yeah, Dutton was a bit of a naughty boy in his day 😉
Haven’t seen The Counselor yet but it seems that your not alone in that one Tom. Cheers man!
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February 2, 2014 at 11:13 pm
Great tidbits, as always!
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February 3, 2014 at 6:39 pm
Thanks Fernando! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
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February 3, 2014 at 1:09 am
Great tidbits as always Mark! Not one for DeNiro? What, what? 😀
Ahah, I could see Matthew McConaughey in Leo’s role in Titanic, fun Photoshop work there.
P.S. It’s very sad indeed about Philip Seymour Hoffman… wish I didn’t have to write such a tribute today but I felt like I had to 😦
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February 3, 2014 at 6:42 pm
Yeah, thought I’d leave DeNiro out, Ruth. He’s had his fair share 😉
I can see McConaughey working in that role too but it wouldn’t have improved the film for me. I absolutely hated Titanic.
Very sad about Hoffman. I’ll swing by on that post a little later Ruth.
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February 3, 2014 at 6:47 pm
But see, I noticed that you didn’t have it there Mark 😉
Love to have you stop by, as always.
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February 3, 2014 at 6:49 pm
I’ll swing by now actually. 🙂
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February 3, 2014 at 2:45 am
Nice stuff, Mark. Certainly a few interesting tidbits concerning how some of these films might’ve turned out had original casting taken place. Also didn’t know that about Affleck. I might need to see if there’s video of his impressions anywhere.
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February 3, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Cheers Chris. Yeah, there’s some interesting casting choices here but it looks like a lot of them might be quite thankful that they didn’t get the roles.
I reckon you’ll get some Affleck videos on you tube. I haven’t fully checked yet but I will do.
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February 3, 2014 at 9:57 am
Bryan Cranston just keeps getting cooler and cooler in my eyes!
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February 3, 2014 at 6:44 pm
Indeed he does Mikey! The guy just oozes cool!
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February 3, 2014 at 4:45 pm
Very interesting list Mark. I’m so glad they managed to keep Pacino for Devil’s advocate, the film would have suffered greatly if they did not.
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February 3, 2014 at 6:45 pm
Cheers Chris! Yeah, Pacino was great in that film. I can see Connery working but struggle to imagine Redford doing it.
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February 4, 2014 at 9:11 am
Top stuff man. Cranston involved with Power Rangers is just so weird! McConaughey in Titanic would have been even worse I think. I mean, I love the guy but not his kinda thing I don’t reckon.
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February 5, 2014 at 5:28 am
And here I thought I was a fan of the Power Rangers… how did i not know that about the blue ranger!?
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February 5, 2014 at 8:34 am
Shame on you sir! I expect everyone to know their Power Rangers. 😉
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February 5, 2014 at 7:55 am
As always, too much fun. I really do love Bale. Imagine MM doing Jack Dawson… I don’t know so much about that one. Had no idea Dutton had such a violent past! So glad it wasn’t Gibson is The Departed… to be honest.
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February 5, 2014 at 8:36 am
Yeah, Dutton was a bit of a character wasn’t he? He always did exude a certain danger I found.
Gibson in the Departed? Wouldn’t have worked for me.
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February 5, 2014 at 8:40 am
Truly I can understand that but who knew it had such defined roots?!
Not even a little bit, not even at all. While reading that tidbit I was trying to picture it and all I got was a headache for my efforts!
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February 6, 2014 at 10:44 am
Great post, Mark. Children of Men’s part for very interesting. I knew nothing about IXTHYS )) Though I love that movie
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February 6, 2014 at 4:04 pm
Thanks Nika. It’s a marvellous film and that info only adds a little extra spice. 😉
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