It might surprise many people, but Edward Scissorhands was released 30 years ago. The fantastic tale, directed by Tim Burton, was a turning point in Johnny Depp's career and the start of a successful partnership between the director and the actor. The film was not a phenomenon in the cinemas, but it soon became a classic and one of the most iconic movies of the '90s.
Of course, there are many details about the movie that many people have no idea three decades after the film was released. Here are some surprising facts about Edward Scissorhands.
10 Tom Cruise Almost Played The Character
It isn't easy to imagine someone playing Edward Scissorhands. However, the studio wanted Tom Cruise to play the role, after his enormous success in Rain Man. Tim Burton said he didn't think the actor was right for the role. "He certainly wasn't my ideal, but I talked to him. He was interesting, but I think it worked out for the best. A lot of questions came up—I don't really recall the specifics—but at the end of the meeting I did feel like, and I probably even said this to him, 'It's nice to have a lot of questions about the character, but you either do it, or you don't do it,'" he said.
Jim Carrey, Robert Downey Jr., and even Michael Jackson were also other names that almost got the role.
9 It Was Not A Blockbuster
Although the movie is considered one of the defining productions from the early '90s, it didn't perform well when it was released. There was a $20 million investment to make the movie, and it made $86 million worldwide. It was not a failure, but it was far from being the classic it is today.
People were also not in use with the idea of a gothic fairy tale, something Tim Burton would become famous for.
8 Dianne Wiest Supported The Idea Of The Movie Since Day One
Dianne Wiest plays Pegg, the middle-class Avon-seller who becomes Edward's first friend. But most people ignore that the actress had a decisive role in the production of the movie. The actress was the first person to read the script and endorse it among the producers.
"Because she is so respected, once she had given it her stamp of approval, others soon got interested. In many ways, she was my guardian angel," Burton said.
7 The Studio Was Worried With Edward's Looks
Edward Scissorhands is one of the most emblematic characters created by Tim Burton, and also one of the most famous roles played by Johnny Depp. However, not everyone believed it would be a success. The studious were worried that Edward's looks would scare people, and they would not go to the movies.
The studios tried to avoid releasing the full-image of Edward just after the movie was in the cinemas, according to Entertainment, when the movie was released.
6 Tim Burton Worked With One Of His Idols
Tim Burton is responsible for creating a mix of fairytale and terror. The director had a special appreciation for Vincent Price, who played dozens of horror movies. The actor played the scientists who created Edward, and it was a dream coming true for Burton to work with him. Sadly, the film was also the last one Vincent Price took part since he died in 1993.
Before that, Tim Burton was also planning to make a documentary about the actor, which never happened.
5 Tim Burton Created The Character At School
Tim Burton has always been a creative mind. When he was in high school, the director used to draw a lot, and one of those drawers was a man with scissors instead of hands. It remained on his files for years, but it would become alive thanks to the movie.
He teamed up with the screenwriter Caroline Thompson, and they created the history around the character. However, his personality was inspired by someone else.
4 But It Was Also Inspired In A Dog
Tim Burton might be responsible for creating Edward's appearance, but the screenwriter Caroline Thompson was the one in charge of his personality.
In an interview, Thompson revealed that Edward has inspired n Tim Burton and also on her dog, which had died years before. "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?'" she revealed.
3 Winona Ryder Didn't Relate To Her Character
Winona Ryder was one of the most prominent actresses during the early '90s, and she worked with Tim Burton in Beetlejuice. The director thought it would be great to cast Ryder to lay a typical cheerleader because it is the opposite of her. The actress said that Burton made fun of her every day when he saw her wearing a blond wig, and he confirmed that.
" I loved the blond hair, it was so funny, she felt so alien," Burton said. The director also added that he loved it because she looked completely different.
2 The Colorful Neighborhood Was Real
The colorful neighborhood might look a dreamy set for many people. However, it is a real area just outside Tampa. According to Entertainment, Burton made many modifications to the area. He wanted pale colors that marched and removed anything that went against the sense of "blandness" he was looking for.
The director wanted that exude the suburban vibe from the '60s, and he nailed it!
1 Nick Carter Appears In The Movie
Nick Carter became famous as one of the members of Backstreet Boys. However, he made his debut onscreen before that. The singer appears in Edward Scissorhands for a few seconds, and most people don't notice it.
He is the ten-years-old little boy running in the neighborhood, so people can't even see his face. But at least he can say that he started his career in one of the most famous movies of the decade.