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Behind-the-Curtain Tidbits About 30 Movies from the Early Aughts

2000s movie facts you ‘aughta’ know!

Behind-the-Curtain Tidbits About 30 Movies from the Early Aughts

February 08, 2024

Although it makes us feel extremely old, there’s something fun about saying, “Back in aught-seven.” It provides an air of distinction, which tends to come with old age, but we’re leaning into it. We’re proud of the movies we grew up with, so even if they’re a tad before your time, you’ll still find comfort in the warm glow of our nostalgia.

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30

BEHINO-THE-SCENES SUPERBAD FACTS Seth Rogen's real pop played the MAD DAD CRACKED.COM In his first- and last-ever screen role, Seth Rogen's father played the baseball-bat-wielding dad who chases Seth and Evan through the suburban backyard. Nice throw, Mark Rogen. — Source

29

Talladega Nights

BEHINO-THE-SOENESPACTS Ready for some crazy CASTING WHAT-IFS? TALLADEGA NIGHTS GRACKED.COM THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY Michael J. Fox was considered for Jean Girard, the role that went to Sacha Baron Cohen. Also in the running for John C. Reilly's Cal Naughton Jr.? Dennis Quaid, Billy Crystal, and Jack Black. — Source

28

BEHIND-THE-SCENES SUPERBAD FACTS Superbad was the film debut of EMMA STONE CRACKED.COM It was Emma's first time seeing herself in a movie; it was very sweet, says Hader. We sat in the back of this theater in Westwood, and it blew the roof off the place. People were going crazy, and we were just like, 'Whoa.''' — Source

27

BEHINO-THE-SOENSSPACTS Napoleon Dynamite screwed up NETFLIX CRACKED.COM More than virtually any other movie, Netflix users give Napoleon Dynamite either five stars or one star. That disparity plays havoc with Netflix's suggestion engine, which can't figure out how to recommend other movies based on the love-it-or-hate-it reaction. — Source

26

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS JOHN С. REILLY FELT GUILTY FOR STARRING IN THE FILM. WALKIHARD Like any good Catholic boy, I feel guilty somebody spent so much money on me, said Reilly about the studio spending money on a movie he headlined. CRACKED.COM — Source

25

Walk Hard

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS GUILTY AS CHARGED WAS INSPIRED BY MERLE HAGGARD. it is - 1 WALK HARD Songwriter Charlie Wadhams says when he was asked to write the song he was told to imagine Merle Haggard in a trashed hotel room with a bottle of whiskey after he'd just been dumped by his wife. CRACKED.COM — Source

24

The 40-Year-Old Virgin

BEHINO-THE-SCENES FACTS Trust the comedy instincts of LESLIE MANN CRACKED.COM Apatow thought her scene should end with cops finding a gun under her seat. And Leslie said to me, 'No, I really think I need to throw up in his face.' And then she made her own vomit out of strawberry yogurt and some sort of breakfast cereal. And it turned out to be one of the biggest laughs of the movie. — Source

23

Walk Hard

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS THE STORY WAS WRITTEN AROUND THE SONGS. DE WALK HARD Songs for the movie were recorded for about six months before the film even started shooting. Each time a new song was recorded, the filmmakers made new decisions about the characters and the plot. CRACKED.COM — Source

22

The film grossed $105 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. BEHIND THE SCENES I FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL CRACKED.COM — Source

21

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Mila Kunis was INJURED during a water scene. THE ACTRESS SAID SHE RIPPED A PIECE OF HER NECK OFF WHILE FILMING. Jason Segel is holding my neck. He's holding it because I'm bleeding-you only see half my neck. The other side is gushing. BEHIND THE SCENES I FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL CRACKED.COM — Source

20

BEHINO-THE-SCENES SFACTS The script was custom-fit for Jack Black by MIKE WHITE CRACKED.COM Black and White (!) were neighbors, and White had the idea of him leading a band of little kids. It just seemed like a funny visual. Then I got the idea that it would be fun to have him be a guy who isn't really somebody you'd want around kids. — Source

19

BEHIND-THE-SGENESFACTS but Napoleon started as the student film PELUCA CRACKED.COM Jared Hess wrote and directed the 9-minute short as a class assignment at BYU film school, with the quirky lead a combination of me and my brothers' most dorky moments growing up. In this version, Napoleon's name is Seth. Check it out on YouTube! — Source

18

BEHINO-THE-SCENES FACTS Who is to blame for painful screams of KELLY CLARKSON! Ameri 2 NIGHT FIN TOMOR CRACKED.COM Clarkson confronted Judd Apatow on her TV show and he promptly passed the buck. I'm going to blame Seth Rogen. We had a piece of paper with all the curses for Steve to scream when he gets waxed. And on the side with the clean curses, it says 'Kelly Clarkson' in Seth's handwriting. — Source

17

Talladega Nights

BEHINO-THE-SOENESPACTS John C. Reilly almost said I'M BRICK TAMLAND - Old Sp + SE - EL CUP - with NE t MIDEL NEXTEL - Hi SE UP TEL TALLADEGA NIGHTS GRAGKED.COM THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY The original Anchorman weather guy was Reilly, who had to drop out and was replaced by Steve Carell. McKay kept Reilly in mind when it came time to cast Talladega Nights. Coincidentally, Carell had to drop out of a planned Nights cameo. — Source

16

The Joker licks his lips based on practicality THE DARK KNIGHT The Joker's tic was started because Heath Ledger licked his lips to help keep the scar prosthetics on. It eventually became part of the character. CRACKED.COM — Source

15

The Joker's mask is a callback THE DARK KNIGHT This mask is very similar to the one worn in the Joker's introduction during the 1966 tv show Batman. CRACKED.COM — Source

14

Step Brothers

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS WILL FERRELL'S FAKE TESTICLES COST A LOT OF MONEY. STEP BROTHERS The prosthetic testicles Ferrell's character slams on the drums cost a whopping $10,000. The comedian says he decided to keep the prop testicles and that he regularly brings them out during dinner parties. CRACKED.COM — Source

13

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS A DOG BIT RICHARD JENKINS' BUTT. STEP BROTHERS During the fight between Brennan and Dale on the lawn, one of the smaller dogs bit Jenkins' ass and the actor had to get a tetanus shot. CRACKED.COM — Source

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12

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS ADAM SCOTT GOT THE ROLE THANKS TO PAUL RUDD. STEP BROTHERS Adam McKay became interested in Scott after Rudd told him he's one of the funniest guys he knows. If Paul Rudd's saying that, you know he's good, said McKay. CRACKED.COM — Source

11

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS A RAP ALBUM WAS IN DEVELOPMENT. PRESAL STEP WORLDW BROTHERS According to Adam McKay, the popularity of Boats 'N Hoes was going to be expanded on with a full-fledged rap album. However, in the middle of development, everyone involved got too busy and abandoned the project. CRACKED.COM — Source

10

Everyone thought pregnant Charlotte was a red herring. SEX AND THE CITY (2008) CRACKED COM Charlotte was famously unable to get pregnant in the series. So when a pregnant Charlotte was seen filming scenes in NYC, media outlets thought producers were trying to throw fans off the trail. — Source

9

John Cena

John Cena was in a bunch of early 2000s movies just to promote WWE. © ME Every second I was on one of those movie sets, I wanted to be back in WWE, he says of movies like 12 Rounds, Fred: The Movie, and Legendary. CRACKED.COM

8

Chris Evans

Chris Evans played the Human Torch in Fantastic Four as a pick-me-up. I had just been dumped and I needed it!, he said - and he particularly remembers the call he got about the role, because he'd needed a win at the time. CRACKED.COM — Source

7

STEVE CARELL'S CHEST HAIR FROM THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN It took four cameras to capture the very real pain experienced by Carell as body hair was ripped from his chest. Actress Miki Mia lied about her waxing experience - she had no idea what she was doing (like failing to add protective Vaseline to Carell's poor nipples). CRACKED.COM — Source

6

THE MATT DAMON PUPPET FROM TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE Something happened in the oven when the puppet makers were baking Damon's head -- it came out looking ... less than intelligent. With no time to make a new one, Trey Parker and Matt Stone decided to give Damon an idiot personality instead. MATT DAMON! GRACKED.COM — Source

5

CRACKED.COM THE HOT TUB FROM HOT TUB TIME MACHINE Co-writer Josh Heald was in a producer's office who suggested a remake of Hot Dog ... The Movie. Heald misheard the suggestion as hot tub, which is why John Cusack doesn't travel back in time with the help of a giant weiner. — Source

4

Adam McKay

CRACKED.COM . AND NAT - ON EVER THE BUNK BEDS FROM STEP BROTHERS At first it was Reilly, Ferrell, and | just laughing, says director Adam McKay. We sat around for three or four days and just wrote scene ideas, images, attitudes, locations (like) 'I would love to see a movie where bunk beds collapse. — Source

3

MCLOVIN'S FAKE ID FROM SUPERBAD Christopher Mintz-Plasse also would have needed a fake ID to buy booze for the party -- the actor was only 17 years old when he filmed Superbad. That meant he had to have his mom on set at all times, including during his love scene. Eww! HAWAII DRIVER LICENSE NUMBER 01-47-87441 06/03/1981 NAM W 06/03/2003 EYES SEX CTY - MO N-M ISSUE DATE CLASS weath ENDORSE 06101001 and McL OVIN 892 MOMONA ST CRACKED.COM HONOLULU. NI 96820 — Source

2

CRACKED.COM TATER TOTS FROM NAPOLEON DYNAMITE The movie's tots were so memorable that Burger King hired Jon (Napoleon) Heder and Efren (Pedro) Ramirez twelve years later to promote their new cheesy tots. No word on if they were served in cargo pant pockets. — Source

1

STU'S MISSING TOOTH FROM THE HANGOVER How did they make Ed Helm's mouth-hole seem so realistic? Turns out he really is missing a tooth. It never grew in as a teen and he's been wearing a dental implant ever since, waiting for the chance to turn tooth tragedy into comedy. CRACKED.COM — Source

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