As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, I find it absolutely fascinating to delve into the intricate details and behind-the-scenes stories that shaped some of the most iconic films ever made. The making of “Pulp Fiction” is no exception. This Quentin Tarantino masterpiece, with its star-studded cast, captivating dialogue, and unforgettable scenes, was more than just a movie; it was a cultural phenomenon that redefined cinematic storytelling.
“You know what they call a, uh, a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris?”
It’s likely that you’re already familiar with what Parisians refer to as the McDonald’s burger, due to the movie “Pulp Fiction.
30 years ago, on October 14, 1994, the groundbreaking film by director Quentin Tarantino was released in cinemas. This low-budget production, costing only $8 million to make, became a box office sensation, earning over $200 million – an impressive feat back then.
Apart from establishing the “Reservoir Dogs” director as a fearless and acclaimed figure in Hollywood, this intense and vivid movie also played a significant role in rejuvenating John Travolta’s acting career and catapulting Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman to stardom.
Initially, it seemed unlikely that each of them would secure their famous roles as Vincent Vega, Jules Winnfield and Mia Wallace: One was deemed unsuitable, another was put through a rigorous audition process, while the third almost backed out due to fearing the script.
Later on, Uma Thurman admitted to Vanity Fair that at first she had some doubts about being in the movie. She explained that Quentin Tarantino wasn’t as highly respected and esteemed as a filmmaker back then as he is now.
Following numerous talks regarding the content with Tarantino, she ultimately agreed to participate. As she stated herself, it was hard for anyone to fathom that she had any reservations at all, and looking back, I share that sentiment too.
Given the exceptional performances delivered by all three actors in the movie, it’s no surprise that they were each nominated for an Oscar after its release, a film widely acclaimed as one of the greatest ever made more than three decades ago.
Additionally, the movie was awarded one statue, with Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary taking home the prize for Best Screenplay.
Why not put on Chuck Berry’s “You Can Never Tell,” pop open a royale with cheese, and get ready to dive into some entertaining trivia about Pulp Fiction? That should do the trick!
Michael Madsen, who had collaborated with his longtime companion Tarantino on “Reservoir Dogs,” was given the opportunity to portray Vince. However, he opted to appear in “Wyatt Earp” instead. Later on, Madsen described this decision as causing him three hours of discomfort. Tarantino was dismayed by his friend’s choice and they didn’t communicate for a long time until Tarantino eventually cast Madsen in “Kill Bill Vol. 2.
2. The filmmakers aimed to secure a well-known actor such as Daniel Day-Lewis or Bruce Willis for the part initially, as John Travolta was perceived as quite aloof at that time according to Mike Simpson, Tarantino’s representative, who shared this with Vanity Fair, stating he was “below zero.” However, despite these initial preferences and much discussion, Tarantino remained firm in his choice. Eventually, he managed to cast Travolta for the role.
3. After Travolta’s agreement was finalized, the role of Butch was given to Willis, a part that was originally intended for Matt Dillon, according to Vanity Fair. “Bruce Willis made us legitimate,” Tarantino said to VF. “Reservoir Dogs did incredibly well internationally, so everyone was eager for my next film. And when it turned out to be my next film starring Bruce Willis, they went absolutely wild.
4. Winston Rolfe was tailor-made for Harvey Keitel, a fact that Tarantino acknowledged by stating, “Harvey had been my favorite actor since I was 16 years old.” Similarly, Tim Roth, another star from Reservoir Dogs, was the sole choice of Tarantino to play Pumpkin, with the role being crafted specifically for him.
5. Although Tarantino had already decided on Samuel L. Jackson for the role of Jules Winnfield, the actor known for his colorful language was taken aback when he found out he would still need to audition. This was because Paul Calderon had left a strong impression on both the director and producers with his reading.
Jackson expressed a mix of anger, frustration, and exhaustion when facing Calderon during the audition. He even grabbed a fast food burger on his way in. As Richard Gladstein, the producer, reminisced, “Jackson strolled in, sipping a shake, nibbling on a burger, and gazing at all of us. I was absolutely terrified. I thought he might pull out a gun and shoot me right then and there. His eyes seemed to bulge out of his head. And that’s when he clinched the role.
6. Another possible explanation for Jackson’s intense anger during his audition could be that he felt disrespected when the person bringing him in said, “I admire your acting, Mr. Fishburne,” as he felt they didn’t recognize him, which slowly built up frustration within him. He recalls feeling indifferent at that moment, thinking, “Never mind. I don’t care anymore.
7. Michelle Pfeiffer, Meg Ryan, Holly Hunter, and Rosanna Arquette were all thought to be potential choices for the role of Mia Wallace, the sultry and drug-dependent wife of a powerful criminal figure. However, Tarantino made up his mind about Uma Thurman, selecting her after their first encounter. As Lawrence Bender told Vanity Fair, “Uma was the only one he met with [alone].
8. Admittedly, I myself harbored some doubts. “I wasn’t certain if I wanted to be part of the film,” I shared with VF at that time, explaining that I was just 23 and hailed from Massachusetts. The script, I confessed, seemed rather intimidating to me.
9. As Jackson shared with Vanity Fair, the part of Marsellus Wallace was originally intended for Max Julien, a renowned actor from The Mack. However, after learning about the scene involving anal rape, Max Julien declined the script. According to Jackson, Max Julien expressed his reluctance by saying, “I don’t think my fans would want to see that.” Given his roles as the Mack and Goldie, he was a strong figure who felt it didn’t align with his image.
10. However, the questionable scene didn’t deter Ving Rhames, who commented, “Since I have a certain appearance, I rarely get chances to portray fragile characters.” He added. Tarantino shared with Vanity Fair, “He stood out in his nonchalance. It was a clear demonstration of his strength.
Due to his extensive dance training and victory in a twist competition at just 8 years old, Travolta was front and center in the memorable dance scene between Vincent and Mia (earning him an MTV Movie Award for “Outstanding Dance Sequence”).
In the early stages of planning, Tarantino thought up the twist, to which Travolta reminisced about suggesting to his director, “You might include other dances that were quite unique back then.” He replied, “What are you talking about?” I responded, “There was the Batman, the Hitchhiker, the Swim, and the Twist.” I demonstrated them for him, and he appreciated them. I said, “I’ll show Uma the moves, and whenever you want to see a different dance, just call it out,” which is how that iconic dance scene in the movie was created.
12. However, the well-known scene that caused a stir was the one that made Uma Thurman feel the most anxious before shooting it, according to her interview with Vanity Fair, as she confessed, “I was extremely awkward, embarrassed, and shy about it.
13. In an unusual move for the movie industry, each actor received the same wage for their part in the film, opting to earn $20,000 per week. Additionally, they agreed to receive a portion of the film’s earnings from the box office.
14. In the movie, the ’64 Chevy Malibu that Vincent drives on screen was owned by Tarantino himself. Tragically, it was stolen following filming. Remarkably, around two decades later, the car resurfaced in Oakland, California, in 2013.
15. In the movie, Mia sports Chanel’s iconic Rouge Noir nail polish, a deep red-black shade. The movie’s success led to this color selling out rapidly once it was released on store shelves back in 1995.
16. Tarantino designed Vincent and Jules’ memorable black outfits, yet each actor brought a unique touch to their characters’ styles. For Travolta, this meant growing out his hair to sport a “Euro cut,” which can be both trashy and elegant depending on the context. He admitted that Tarantino was initially hesitant about the idea, but he managed to convince him by saying, “At least take a look at me with these extensions.” Travolta then worked hard to perfect the hairstyle during the audition, ultimately winning over Tarantino.
17. For his role as Jules, Jackson grew muttonchops, but he was initially meant to sport an afro. However, a production assistant sent by Quentin Tarantino to purchase an Afro wig in South L.A. didn’t understand what it was. Instead, she returned with a Jheri-curl wig. At first, Tarantino disapproved, but Jackson managed to convince him that the Jheri-curl style was more fitting for the character.
18. During the filming of Mia’s overdose scene, Thurman disclosed that Campbell’s mushroom soup was used as a stand-in for the spittle in her mouth. On the other hand, the actress didn’t require any assistance to portray the frenzied reaction. “I stirred myself up, performing,” she admitted to VF. “I don’t believe we added anything to my eyes. It’s part of the job.
19. The wrap party for the film took place on the set of Jack Rabbit Slim’s diner production, and it was at this event that dance partners Travolta and Christopher Walken dominated the dance floor. Eric Stoltz, another cast member, remembered the suggestion, “They should do a musical together.” In 2007, they indeed teamed up in the film ‘Hairspray,’ portraying a married couple on screen.
20. (Alternative Phrase) At their initial encounter, Tarantino resided in the very apartment that served as Travolta’s first residence in Los Angeles.
21. In the movie “Reservoir Dogs,” the character Mr. Blonde, played by Michael Madsen and known as Vick Vega, is revealed to be the brother of the character from “Pulp Fiction” portrayed by John Travolta. Quentin Tarantino originally planned a spinoff called “Vega Brothers,” which would act as a prequel to both films.
22. With a budget of only $8 million, the main expense for the production wasn’t on the high-profile cast, but rather on constructing the elaborate Jack Slim’s Diner set, which cost approximately $150,000 (Travolta was paid $140,000 for his seven-week stint on the project).
23. When Quentin Tarantino and his writing partner, Roger Avary, received the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay (which was the movie’s only win among its seven nominations), there was a mistake during the broadcast that showed black screen—a blunder Avary later claimed responsibility for.
Avary admitted to Vanity Fair that he secretly paid a cameraman $500 to temporarily turn off the camera during the award announcement, when Quentin was being recognized. This way, he could play a prank on his friend who loves practical jokes. So, if you watch it online, there’s a brief interruption to blackness followed by a cut to him. He got him good!
24. I can’t help but geek out over the infamous “Gimp” scene in Tarantino’s masterpiece! You know, the one where he initially planned to set it to The Knack’s smash hit, “My Sharona.” But alas, a different film from 1994 had snatched it up first – none other than the iconic “Reality Bites.” Talk about a bummer for us fans who would have loved to see that tune in Tarantino’s unique style!
Instead, he opted for “Comache” from The Revel, and in the end, Quentin Tarantino expressed his relief that he didn’t get his initial pick. He shared this sentiment with Rolling Stone, stating, “It would have been overly humorous. I enjoy employing things for comedic purposes, but I don’t want it to be a constant series of jokes and winks.
25. Over two decades following the movie’s premiere, a supposed casting wish list penned by Tarantino surfaced online, disclosing that Gary Oldman had been in contention for all key roles. Meanwhile, Johnny Depp and Christian Slater were alternative choices for the character “Pumpkin,” should Rothman not be accessible.
Initially, the character Lance was given to Stoltz, but the role was originally intended for John Cusack. If Amanda Plummer hadn’t been accessible, Patricia Arquette was the first choice for Honey Bunny. However, it was eventually Arquette who got the part of Jody.
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2024-10-14 10:19