Unlocking Love: 20 Surprising Lessons from 10 Things I Hate About You!

Remember the 1990s, when Shakespeare was all the rage?

In that decade, a number of his iconic pieces were adapted into movies, and on March 31, 1999, which was quite a year for teen rom-coms and intense dramas, a modern take on the Bard’s works titled “10 Things I Hate About You” was released.

In a modern retelling of “The Taming of the Shrew,” the setting transitions from Padua, Italy to Padua High School in Seattle. The story revolves around the Stratford sisters – Bianca (portrayed by Larisa Oleynik), who thrives on popularity and fitting in, and her older sister Katarina, or Kat (Julia Stiles), who is eager to escape and attend college. Their single father Walter (Larry Miller), a gynecologist who has witnessed excessive teen pregnancies, decrees that Bianca cannot date until Kat does first.

In a nutshell, there are two possible admirers for Bianca: Cameron, a gallant gentleman who’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt in disguise, and Joey, a wealthy but obnoxious jock played by Andrew Keegan. The duo consisting of Cameron and his courageous yet brainy friend Michael (portrayed by David Krumholtz) collaborate with Joey to persuade the handsome and enigmatic Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger in this scenario) to win over Kat’s affection. They hope that, by doing so, they can create a path for themselves to date Bianca, who is unaware of Cameron’s superior qualities as compared to Joey.

As a dedicated admirer, I’ve always kept my distance from Patrick, but when he surprised me by serenading me with an earnest, heartfelt version of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” amidst the roar of the football stadium, something shifted in me. His unapologetic romanticism was captivating and left me yearning for more.

All the while, prom is imminent.

The scene is picturesque and polished, and one boy is being paid to take a girl out on a date, who stands out for not conforming to the norms, often being criticized by them all. However, Kat, who yearns for a guitar and laments the absence of feminist literature in the curriculum, is known for her sharp wit and progressive responses (“Apparently, in this world, being male and rude makes you deserving of our attention”). It’s quite thought-provoking.

As the story has for 400 years, since translated from the original misogyny.

10 Things I Hate About You wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable to watch, let alone re-watch, if the actors weren’t so exceptional in their roles.

In addition to what’s already been mentioned, let me add a few more details: Susan May Pratt plays Kat’s best friend, while Gabrielle Union portrays Bianca’s. Allison Janney is cast as the guidance counselor who secretly writes racy novels, and Daryl Mitchell excellently portrays the English teacher who often finds himself exasperated by the problems of suburban, privileged students.

There’s quite a lot of fuss surrounding everything in this production, showcasing several breakout performances and hiding some intriguing backstage secrets.

During their on-screen blossoming relationship, it’s reported by some of their colleagues from the DVD commentary that Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger started dating off-screen – a delightful twist that can make an already captivating movie romance even more intriguing, much like the star-crossed pairs in “The Notebook” or “Twilight”.

Moreover, Heath was Julia’s first onscreen kiss.

In 2014, Stiles reminisced about his late co-star to Us Weekly, describing him as incredibly kind and possessing an extraordinary power even at a young age. He was a truly remarkable, beautiful person, Stiles added, and the experience of working with him was simply amazing.

2016 saw Stiles opening up a bit more to Australia’s ABC. He shared, “After our filming ended, Heath and I lost touch, but when I learned about his passing, I was deeply saddened and utterly shocked. He possessed such an immense energy, such a lively spirit, right at the height of his life’s excitement.

The screenplay was penned by debut filmwriters Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz, who later wrote movies like ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Ella Enchanted’, ‘She’s the Man’, ‘The Ugly Truth’, and ‘The House Bunny’.

In an interview with The Script Lab in 2015, they shared that they had always wanted to create a teen movie. When “Clueless” was released, they admired Amy Heckerling for modernizing a classic novel by Jane Austen (specifically Emma), so they decided to attempt something similar. They chose “The Taming of the Shrew”, determined which elements to preserve and update, and devised a plan on how to approach it. While relaxing on a beach in Mexico, they sketched out all the characters and the storyline for their adaptation.

They corresponded at a distance, exchanging pages using the fast delivery service known as Airborne Express.

One could easily discern the source of Kat’s contemporary zest – and the overall film exuded a lively, clever, and quick-witted ambiance.

McCullah described their work to BuzzFeed News as “badass and full of mirth.”

Smith expressed that our creation seems to be those daring, humorous female characters who are quite revolutionary due to their self-assurance. They’re impacting the world significantly, although they might not fully realize it themselves.

According to Smith, we received a message asking, “‘What’s causing her anger?'” He then continued, and McCullah added that they failed to grasp that, at times, being a teenager girl means feeling anger towards the numerous frustrations one has to endure.

In a hurry after learning that Disney’s Touchstone Pictures was planning a teen romance immediately, McCullah and Smith hastened to complete their screenplay revision in hopes of submitting it before another script they knew the studio had already bought – titled “School Slut“.

Somehow, that one didn’t end up getting made. By Disney.

The title of the victorious movie, “10 Things I Hate About You,” was in fact derived from a genuine list that author McCullah compiled regarding one of her high school sweethearts.

She shared during an interview with UCTV that the title originated from a journal entry she wrote in high school. At the time, she was dating someone named Anthony whom she often felt unhappy with. In her journal, she had a list titled “Things I Hate About Anthony.” When Kirsten and she started writing together, she revisited her high school diaries to refresh her memories of those angsty times. Upon telling Kirsten about the list, she responded, “That’s our title!

Furthermore, “Anthony takes great pride in that detail,” McCullah noted. “We remain friends to this day. Occasionally, I’ll receive an unexpected call in the dead of night: ‘My nephew doesn’t think that book title is about me. Inform him.’ On the phone, I usually respond, ‘Yes, I couldn’t stand Anthony at school.’

Producer Andrew Lazar reminisced, “We met countless actors, but it wasn’t until halfway through our search that we stumbled upon a truly exceptional girl – Julia Stiles. Once we found her, we focused our efforts on locating the ideal actor to star alongside her.

In a different scenario, one might find it difficult to envision this film with any other actors playing the lead roles. However, consider this for a moment: Larisa Oleynik, who had already gained significant fame through her work on Nickelodeon’s “The Secret World of Alex Mac”, was keen on portraying Kat. This sparked a rumor, now confirmed to be false, that Julie Stiles was considering the role of Bianca.

Whaaat?

Initially, it’s possible that neither Stiles nor Ledger could have played Kat and Patrick. Josh Hartnett and Ashton Kutcher were potential choices for Patrick, with Hartnett even auditioning alongside Eliza Dushku, who was famous for her role as Faith in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Producer Andrew Lazar recounted that the three prospective male leads were exceptional. He mentioned that they auditioned countless actors but eventually narrowed it down to Stiles after considering hundreds and hundreds.

According to casting director Marcia Ross in 2019, she felt that Julia Roberts and Heath Ledger had an exceptional on-screen connection. She was fond of Katie Holmes as well, as she was on the verge of landing Dawson’s Creek. Another actress she adored was Kate Hudson, but Hudson’s mother didn’t appreciate the script for her role, so she declined the offer.

It seems like those names ring a bell. High school was calling for Hartnett, who was quite popular in “The Virgin Suicides,” and Dushku, whom we continue to applaud from “Bring It On.” Additionally, Goldie Hawn recognized the potential in Hudson during “Almost Famous,” where he earned an Oscar nomination.

I continued trying out for both Kat and Bianca until almost the final round, and deeply desired Kat,” Oleynik shared with the New York Times. “I believe I was so fixated on demonstrating to them who I truly was that by the time I reached the Bianca scenes, I felt like, ‘Oh, alright, if you want it,’ and probably my laid-back attitude is why it worked out, since I was very carefree about it.

It’s not surprising that Oleynik seemed like a fitting choice for Kat, given that in reality, she was the one who ultimately studied at Sarah Lawrence College, the dream school of the older Stratford sister, located in New York.

In an interview with Girls’ Life back in 2006, she expressed that attending college was the best choice she ever made. She was determined to spend four years at a school located in New York, and her favorite classes were the writing workshops. These included poetry, playwriting, and screenwriting classes, which she found both soothing and productive. The atmosphere was one of mutual respect; no one boasted about knowing everything.

Regarding Stiles, she shared with Entertainment Weekly that she was eager to land the role because the character was a spunky teenage girl, which was rare to find in such stories. She appreciated the writers’ blend of cynicism and humor that isn’t often present in typical teen romantic comedies.

As a hopeful actor, I often found myself auditioning for roles, particularly in commercials. The feedback I usually received was that I wasn’t perceived as bubbly enough, and they often thought I appeared angry instead. When the opportunity to play Kat came along, it felt like a perfect fit for me!

Turns out Joseph Gordon-Levitt and David Krumholtz wanted each other’s parts too!

Krumholtz shared with the New York Times that he had initially aimed to portray Cameron, but given his past collaborations with Gil on several TV shows and his familiarity with playing a neurotic Jewish character (Michael), he felt Gil believed he was more suited for the role. He added, “I understand Joe wanted to play Michael as well.

Gordon-Levitt shared that he tried out for both roles, including the one played by Krumholtz, as he found it amusing. Later, Gil decided to cast him as Cameron instead.

In a conversation during a special feature on the 10th-anniversary DVD, director Gil Junger described the challenging nature of the character of Patrick Verona as requiring a natural masculinity without affectedness, intelligence, aloofness, and extraordinary charisma. He stated that they had auditioned numerous actors for this role.

Australian thespian Heath Ledger, still unfamiliar to American screens, captivated all spectators during his audition with an undeniable star quality. As Karen McCullah put it, “he was simply mesmerizing.

According to Ledger, Hamlet was the role he yearned to play most, but a strong runner-up for him was Petruchio in “The Taming of the Shrew.” He added, “And this role I’m currently working on is the closest I’ve come to portraying Petruchio yet,” as he flashed his signature broad smile.

During another interview, the 18-year-old shared, “I’ve drawn inspiration from Richard Burton’s portrayal of that character in the well-known film adaptation of ‘The Taming of the Shrew.’ However, my character, Patrick, also possesses a bit of Jack Nicholson’s charm, with his playful demeanor and frequent smiles.

Despite some doubts about his dietary habits due to certain rumors, it remains puzzling how Patrick Ledger might have resembled someone who would consume a live duck. However, when he appeared on set during filming, a week after starting, he was just as enigmatic as the man himself, having just finished working on an Australian TV series called “Roar.

In an article for Vulture in 2015, David Krumholtz wrote that we had merely heard tales from the producers about a dashing Australian from Perth, known for his disarming charm and contagious grin. We had developed such close bonds among ourselves… We were unsure of how someone named Heath could potentially fit into our circle. However, soon enough, they discovered that our group became even more robust with Heath in it.

27 years young, I was almost a whole decade older than my on-screen peers in that film, yet to anyone who watched Bring It On in 2000, my age (even today, if I’m honest) was just a mere number, insignificant when it came to the ageless charm of this eternally youthful actress.

In an interview with the Times, Union shared that she was significantly older than some of her fellow actors, who were still in high school. This made her question how similar this experience was to her own high school years, and whether she appeared too old to play a 15-year-old character. She also mentioned avoiding discussing Earth Wind & Fire or revealing her age.

Padua High School, as it stands, is actually Stadium High School located in Tacoma, Washington. This public educational institution boasts a stunning view over Commencement Bay and was initially intended to be a grand hotel. Consequently, its architectural design bears the resemblance of a French chateau.

As a devoted follower of this remarkable structure’s story, I embarked on the journey where construction started in 1891. However, the Panic of 1893 caused investors to flee, leaving the building unfinished. During these uncertain times, it served as a storage facility until a devastating fire ravaged its core in 1898. Fortunately, in 1904, the Tacoma School District took ownership of the shell, and esteemed architect Frederick Heath saw the project through to completion. By 1906, the school was finally ready for students to learn within its walls.

The 15,000-capacity Stadium Bowl, where Patrick performed his routine, is jointly used by Stadium High School and Woodrow Wilson High School.

In the TV series “3rd Rock From the Sun,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Larisa Oleynik portrayed an on-again, off-again teenage couple. This role served as a stepping stone from child to teen stardom for JGL, and he has since continued his successful acting career without looking back.

In an honest confession to the Times, Gordon-Levitt shared that he wasn’t keen on starring in a high school romantic comedy. Instead, he aspired to work on Sundance films. He considers himself fortunate because five years later, he got the chance to do just that. The reality is, at 17, he was either too green or overly confident.

As a dedicated follower in this situation, I found myself needing to guide Andrew Keegan when he ventured into an artistic territory clearly beyond his skills, as he attempted to sketch a likeness of, let’s say, a certain human anatomy part on my face. When Mike brings forth a groundbreaking idea, it’s Joey I turn to for discussion.

In 2014, Krumholtz recounted to Huffington Post that he had to instruct Andrew Keegan on how to draw a well-drawn phallus on his face, which was certainly an unusual task. He was tense; I was like, “I sketch many penises regularly. Begin with the head, move to the shaft, and don’t forget the balls. Make sure to add hair to the balls.” It turned out to be a well-drawn penis, a chubby one. It wasn’t fully erect, but it was getting there.

In 2019, while reading the New York Times, Keegan agreed, “To be honest, I hadn’t figured out how to draw a caricature of a face with such features, and it was David who provided creative assistance in that regard.

In response, the founder of Full Circle, a spiritual and wellness hub based in Venice, California, stated, “Given that I’ve been familiar with this situation throughout my adult years, I believe I delivered a satisfactory performance.

Krumholtz mentioned that people occasionally joke, “Don’t I look like I have a beard on my face?” In his words, “It has been a constant reminder for me throughout my life. Yet, it’s remarkable in its own way.

In my line of work as a lifestyle advisor, I recall vividly stumbling upon Kat’s unique space in “10 Things” and feeling a bit taken aback. The music, you see, wasn’t quite what I had anticipated – more of a hardline riot grrrl vibe was what I had envisioned. However, as an artist and writer, I have learned that clinging to preconceived notions can be detrimental. The enchantment of collaboration lies in the fact that a fresh perspective can transform something ordinary into an extraordinary masterpiece. Initially, I doubted the music choice would ruin the overall vibe, but it turned out splendidly. That experience served as a reminder to embrace the unexpected and the beauty that unfolds when different minds come together.

A significant change has been introduced: Originally, Kat and Bianca’s mother was part of the story, but her character has been transformed into an absent parent who abandoned them. This alteration provides a more realistic background for Kat’s consistent defensive demeanor.

At the house party, Stiles’ impromptu and intoxicated dance on a table to Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize” unexpectedly earned her the part of a ballet dancer with ambitions for Juilliard in Save the Last Dance.

Junger mentioned to the “Times” that he was contemplating having Paula Abdul devise the choreography for a particular scene, yet Stiles stepped forward and offered to handle it himself.

Stiles commented, “I don’t think I’d have the courage for such an act now. It’s great someone captured it on video. While I enjoy dancing, performing provocatively on a table was a bit too much for me at that time. I guess you could say I was quite innocent then. Additionally, I believe that particular incident is what helped me land the role in Save the Last Dance. The director told me he had seen that video, and after realizing I could do hip-hop as well as ballet, he cast me.

The entire movie was filmed in the Seattle-Tacoma region, starting from the opening scenes that showcased an aerial view of Kerry Park and Queen Anne Hill, moving on to the Stratford family’s five-bedroom Victorian house located on North 28th Street, which was sold for $1.54 million in spring 2018, and concluding at Lake Union, where Kat and Patrick enjoy pedal boating.

Initially, the plan was for Patrick to woo Kat using the Partridge Family’s “I Think I Love You.” Later, it became the Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself.” However, Ledger pushed for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” during the grand musical number where Patrick serenades Kat with support from the school marching band. Moreover, he was instrumental in shaping the iconic scene creatively.

In 2017, I shared that he was incredibly particular about his on-screen attire. He insisted on a specific type of dark shirt with a tailored fit. It might seem like an unremarkable outfit when you watch the movie, but observing him carefully craft his costume as part of his preparation was truly awe-inspiring, given that he was just 19 years old at the time.

(Was there any connection between Jerry McConnell singing “I Think I Love You” to Neve Campbell in Scream 2 in 1997, Austin Powers already dominating fembots with “I Touch Myself,” also from 1997 – a situation Kat wouldn’t have been interested in – and the subsequent alterations?)

In a single attempt, Stiles beautifully conveyed the emotional depth of her poem, spontaneous tears adding authenticity to her performance.

In an interview with Cosmopolitan UK back in 2015, the actress explained that her actions were not deliberate. She went on to say that she had a feeling she was meant to be somewhat emotional during the performance, as during the table read, she simply recited the poem, and it could have been any text, such as a phone book.

At that point, I hadn’t anticipated I would start crying. It’s a mystery to me why it happened, whether it was linked to something happening then, or if I was simply overpowered by the entire emotion of creating my debut major film.

In the movie, there seems to be a slight mismatch between the scene that connects the storyline with its title, and honestly, “Things I Hate About You 14” doesn’t quite convey the same charm.

Simultaneously, Stiles expressed to The Times, her feelings were likely a mix of happiness as the shoot had ended, tinged with sadness, and admittedly, she found herself in a particularly vulnerable state.

She recalled Heath, as when they were preparing for his reaction shot, he commented, “I don’t need to act anything since this isn’t about me.” Often in scenes, one actor starts crying and the other feels compelled to follow suit, but he knew how to maintain composure. I found that quite impressive, she added.

Hmm.

The band known as Letters to Cleo was essentially the regular act at the setting of 10 Things I Hate About You, contributing a substantial dose of popular acclaim to their existing indie rock reputation. They disbanded in 2000 but reunited for a tour and an EP titled Back to Nebraska in 2016. Kay Hanley and Michael Eisenstein performed “Cruel to Be Kind” with Save Ferris at the club, prom, and closed the film on the roof of Padua High.

Indeed, it was undoubtedly the band composed of singer Hanley, guitarists Eisenstein and Greg McKenna, bassist Scott Riebling, and drummer Jason Sutter, who were perched up on that rooftop.

Hanley, who later became Rachael Leigh Cook’s singing voice in the movie “Josie and the Pussycats,” recounted to the New York Times that we were all precariously positioned on a tiny rooftop enclosed by chicken wire, with only this barrier preventing us from plummeting into Puget Sound. He described how we began acting as if we were in a music video once the music started playing. As we heard the sound of a helicopter hovering overhead, it suddenly dove towards us. We performed the scene twice, and it was generally believed that this shot wouldn’t work out and Gil would never have a career in Hollywood again due to having spent half a million dollars on a prohibited shot. However, it turned out to be a memorable and iconic scene in the end.

Adaptations of popular films into TV shows often don’t succeed, and this was true for the short-lived sitcom “10 Things I Hate About You” on ABC Family (now Freeform) in 2009-’10 – not because it was poor quality, but simply because the original movie was exceptionally well done.

In a review by the New York Times’ Alessandra Stanley, she stated that the movie has achieved such iconic status that altering it for television feels almost blasphemous. However, the TV series titled “10 Things” is not abysmal; there are moments when it’s even enjoyable. It’s just not particularly innovative.

Lindsey Shaw and Ethan Peck (Gregory’s grandson) delivered brave performances as Kat and Patrick, while Meaghan Martin and Nicholas Baum did commendable jobs portraying Bianca and Cameron. However, with a viewership more fond of the original version than anything innovative, comparisons were unavoidable, and it didn’t capture their interest much.

Despite facing challenges due to being a remake, it managed to amass loyal followers and run for 20 episodes. Even before the final ten episodes aired in spring 2010, its creator, Shaw, expressed to Pop Sugar that “Of course, starting from a remake presents numerous obstacles. People typically don’t want to see a remake because it’s their beloved movie. However, we approached this project with the goal of creating something unique and enjoyable, and I believe we have achieved that.

Speaking as a devoted admirer, let me express my feelings about stepping into the shoes of such an iconic character, one previously embodied by an actor who left us too soon. The weight of expectation never came from the outside – not from ABC Family or the show itself. We recognized we weren’t there to replace anyone; instead, we approached this role with sincerity and openness, pouring our hearts into every scene. I believe it’s this mindset that has brought us to where we are today.

Following their termination, series creator Carter Covington expressed to EW.com that it felt somewhat like a break-up: “It’s as if someone has ended a relationship with you. You think, ‘Hold on a moment. We had something fantastic together. Why would they leave me?’

Discussions about a sequel to “10 Things I Hate About You” surfaced, but instead, a film with a similar tone titled “10 Things I Hate About Life” was initiated in 2012. This production featured Evan Rachel Wood and Thomas McDonnell as characters who encounter each other while both attempting suicide, however, the project did not reach completion.

However, director Gil Junger, along with producer Andrew Lazar, wasted no time launching into production. As they began auditions, Lazar explained to Vumanity, “We were eager and looking for a vibrant, young cast.” Interestingly enough, as they met potential candidates, Evan Rachel Wood demonstrated exceptional talent, much like Julia Stiles did before her. Consequently, the team found themselves drawn to her depth and emotional range, eventually deciding she was the one for the role.

Following six attempts at finding a suitable co-star for Wood, we ultimately found an exceptional individual. Lazar described the dynamic between McDonnell and Wood as “electrifying.” Additionally, Skylar Grey was cast in the role previously held by Letters to Cleo, serving as the lively music influence.

The manufacturing process came to a stop in February 2013 as the CEO of Intandem, the UK-funding firm for the movie, resigned.

By that time, Wood had already been pregnant with her son, who was born in July; however, the new CEO of Intandem attributed production delays to her pregnancy but promised it would resume in September. On the contrary, a lawsuit by 10 Things Films against Wood was filed in June 2014 for breach of contract and a claimed $30 million. They alleged that she received $300,000 but then decided not to finish the film during principal photography, eventually refusing without any valid legal reason to meet her contractual obligations and abandoning the project instead.

The representative from Wood found it absurd. They claimed that Wood was prepared to return to work in November 2013 as producers had assured, but despite this, they were still struggling to organize themselves effectively.

It’s no secret that everyone associated with 10 Things I Hate About You, along with countless others, deeply miss Heath Ledger on the film’s 20th anniversary. Regrettably, he was not around for its 10th anniversary either, as he passed away in 2008 due to an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

Krumholtz shared with the Times that he deeply admired Heath. As time passes and the movie becomes more significant to new viewers, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for him to accept the fact that Heath passed away in such a tragic manner. If only Heath were still alive, it would have been wonderful to have him acknowledged for his exceptional work on “10 Things I Hate About You,” as he put an incredible amount of effort into that role.

Gabrielle Union recalled that Heath could make anyone feel like royalty, similar to Princess Diana, in the bustling world of Hollywood. His unique talent was to make people feel special and noticed, which is quite extraordinary and seldom acknowledged.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but marvel at Heath Ledger’s extraordinary dramatic prowess. If he were still with us, I firmly believe he would have left a lasting impact as Hamlet. Posthumously, his chilling portrayal of the Joker in “The Dark Knight” earned him an Oscar, a testament to his unparalleled talent even beyond the grave.

However, a delightful array of reasons to cherish the movie “10 Things I Hate About You,” with its charming, lighthearted teen romance, will forever commence with its leading man.

2025-02-18 02:19

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