20/30
Robin Williams was rejected as Hagrid due to casting restrictions.

Robin Williams wanted to play Hagrid in the Harry Potter films but was turned down because J.K. Rowling and director Chris Columbus insisted on casting only British and Irish actors.

19/30
Cameron waived salary and profits as Titanic’s budget doubled.

When the production costs of Titanic escalated from an initial estimate of $100–120 million to nearly $200 million, director James Cameron chose to forgo his salary and percentage points to alleviate financial pressure on the studio. He made this decision to ensure the film’s completion without further burdening the studio executives.

18/30
Dr. Phil retired his license, offers advice as entertainer.

Dr. Phil McGraw, holding a doctorate in clinical psychology, retired his license in 2006. Guests on his TV show must sign a contract stating that his advice is offered as a media personality, not as a licensed psychologist.

17/30
“Tokyo Drift” filmed illegally; decoy director jailed to protect Lin.

During “Tokyo Drift” filming, director Justin Lin shot scenes in Tokyo’s Shibuya district without permits. Universal Studios hired a “fall guy” to pose as the director if authorities intervened. When police arrived, this individual claimed to be the director and spent a night in jail, allowing Lin to avoid arrest.

16/30
John Carpenter’s 1978 film “Halloween” was produced on a modest budget of $325,000.

John Carpenter’s 1978 film “Halloween” was produced on a modest budget of $325,000 and achieved a worldwide gross of approximately $70 million, making it one of the most profitable independent films ever made.

15/30
Deadpool’s 2004 joke linked his look to Ryan Reynolds.

In the 2004 comic series Cable & Deadpool #2, Deadpool humorously describes his appearance as resembling “Ryan Reynolds crossed with a Shar-Pei.” This meta-reference caught Ryan Reynolds’ attention, leading him to feel a unique connection to the character and consider himself destined for the role.

14/30
Spielberg beat Cameron to “Jurassic Park” rights by hours.

In 1990, Steven Spielberg obtained the film rights to “Jurassic Park” mere hours before James Cameron. After seeing Spielberg’s film, Cameron admitted Spielberg was the right choice, as his own take would have been “Aliens with dinosaurs.”

13/30
“Twin films”: similar movies released simultaneously by different studios.

“Twin films” are movies with similar plots released by different studios concurrently, often due to multiple companies investing in comparable scripts at the same time.

12/30
Reynolds personally donated $10,000 to secure Bea Arthur’s image rights for Deadpool.

Ryan Reynolds spent $10,000 of his own money to secure the rights to feature Bea Arthur, of The Golden Girls, on a T-shirt worn by Deadpool in the movie. The payment was made as a donation to a charity chosen by her estate. Reynolds insisted on it, believing Deadpool wouldn’t be complete without Bea Arthur.

11/30
Reeves utters 380 words in “John Wick 4.”

In “John Wick: Chapter 4,” Keanu Reeves delivers just 380 words throughout the film’s 169-minute runtime.