After directing Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, and a small independent film about a guy who dresses up like a bat and spends his evenings beating criminals to a pulp; it was time for Tim Burton to look inward for his next picture. He tasked Caroline Thompson with writing the screenplay for a character and a world he knew all to well - Edward Scissorhands. Loosely based on what and how the director felt like growing up in Burbank, California.
In what was the first of many collaborations between director, Tim Burton, and actor, Johnny Depp, the movie took a look through Edward’s eyes at what living in suburbia was like for anyone who ever felt they might not belong. The result was a modern gothic fairytale that has resonated with audiences ever since. Here are 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Edward Scissorhands.
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise was America’s favorite and hottest young actor back in the late eighties when casting would have begun for the film. He had made hit after hit with very few missteps, much like now. While there is little doubt that Johnny Depp completely crushed the role, his stock was nowhere at the time and studios weren’t ready to bank on Depp yet. They asked Burton to meet with Cruise. “He certainly wasn’t my ideal, but I talked to him,” Burton once recalled. “He was interesting, but I think that it worked out for the best. A lot of questions came up.”
Depp Wanted The Role
For the most part, Johnny Depp was predominantly known as a teen idol on the series, 21 Jump Street. Not only was he looking to do more films, he was looking to be taken more seriously, but still take the kind of roles that interested him.
Edward Scissorhands not only interested him, but reading the screenplay made the soon to be world famous actor weep when he read it. Once that happened, he knew the connection meant he was perfect for the role.
The Town Is Real
Malvina Reynolds’ “Little Boxes” struck a chord as the theme of Weeds, but it could have easily been used for Edward Scissorhands. The movie takes a look at the absurdities of growing up as an outsider in suburbia. It’s based on Burton’s own experiences growing up in Burbank, California. However fake and sound-stagey the movie’s town look, it’s actually a real city - Tinsmith Circle, Carpenter’s Run in Lutz, Florida.
Depp Wanted To Be Real
Nowadays, just about every fan knows how method Johnny Depp is when getting into a character. For Edward Scissorhands, Depp did the same thing. He wanted to feel what Edward felt, no matter the situation.
He lost 25 pounds for the role in order to fit into his costume. He also refused to be cooled down while in the tight costume. No matter the heat or what damage it could have done to Depp, even if it meant passing out due to extreme heat.
Vincent Price’s Last Role
With a flare for gothic and horror-tinged themes, it should come as no surprise that Burton was a pretty big horror fan growing up. Burton got to cast horror maven, Vincent Price as The Inventor who made Edward but tragically passes away before he can attach hands. Much like the story of the movie, Price’s part in it also proved to be his last one. Price died in 1993.
Studio Was Worried About Costume
Other than Pinhead from the Hellraiser series, there weren’t many people who looked like Edward. But Ed wasn’t supposed to be a Cenobite guarding Hell. He was a hapless creature that the Boggs family tries to domesticate and give a normal life to. Not surprisingly, the studio was taken aback by Edward’s look and was worried that it would turn audiences away. Also not surprisingly, what little did the studio know?! They collect royalties to this day on all sorts of paraphernalia based on the movie.
Winona Couldn’t Get Into Character
Having previously worked with Tim Burton as Lydia in Beetlejuice, Ryder returned to work with him on this movie. Her casting, according to Burton was a bit of a joke. Burton claimed it was hilarious to see Ryder “walk on the set wearing this little cheerleader outfit and a Hayley Mills-type blonde wig, looking like Bambi.” The look of Kim was such a contrast to not only Winona, but the roles she was rapidly becoming known for.
Dianne Wiest Championed The Movie
Dianne Wiest as an actress exudes the feeling of a mother that you love unconditionally, but also think is a bit of a goofball. She did it in Parenthood and she does it in Edward Scissorhands. Wiest, despite not loving being typecast, certainly loved the film and working with Burton. ‘‘I was amazed,’’ says Wiest, who agreed to do the film only after a meeting with the personable Burton. ‘‘He knows so much about acting. He knew the fine lines, the subtle shades.’’
Edward’s Based On Screenwriter’s Dog
Caroline Thompson, much like Burton, had a couple of hits under her belt as a screenwriter, like he did as a director. The two had the same agent and clicked, leading to Thompson writing the screenplay for Edward Scissorhands. While the story is based on Burton’s life, some aspects of Thompson’s made it into the movie too.
According to Thompson, “Edward was based on Tim. It’s kind of a love letter to Tim, but most of his attributes were based on my dog. I had this beautiful Border Collie mix when I was in college…She was everywhere I was, sitting next to me and enjoying everything I was enjoying, but not able to quite do it because she was a dog. And that’s how Edward is. He’s just sort of like, ‘Uhhh, OK I want to be here, but how?’”
Tavern On The Green Had The Sculptures
Despite taking place in sunny Florida, Edward Scissorhands has a New York connection after the fact. The beautiful shrubbery sculptures that Edward did throughout the movie weren’t real, they were made with Chicken Wire. Luckily for Tavern On The Green in Central Park - they acquired some of the sculptures for their restaurant.
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