Some say that the film "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" is the love story that started a love story. The 2005 blockbuster stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt as a couple who is dealing with a troubled marriage. As they try to work things out, they come to realise they've both been living a similar secret life.
In the film, Pitt and Jolie are also joined by Kerry Washington, Vince Vaughn, Adam Brody, Michelle Monaghan, Chris Weitz, Rachel Huntley, Jennifer Morrison, and Keith David. Throughout its theatrical run, the film made a respectable $487.3 million in the box office.
Indeed, it has been years since the release of the film. Nonetheless, the fascination remains. That said, here are some secrets that you may not know about the film yet:
15 Nicole Kidman Was Initially Cast To Play The Lead Role
While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, director Doug Liman recalled, “On their first week of shooting, they were like, We’re [already] two and a half months behind schedule. [Laughter] And that’s the day we were like, she can’t do our movie.” Kidman had left to work on “The Stepford Wives.” That film started production during late spring of 2003.
14 When Nicole Left The Film, Brad Pitt Did Too And Johnny Depp And Will Smith Were Briefly Considered
When Kidman left the film, Pitt decided to bow out too. And so, they decided to consider two more actors – Johnny Depp and Will Smith. In the end, however, Pitt changed his mind and returned. There is speculation that hearing about Angelina Jolie’s casting got Pitt interested in doing the film again.
13 Other Women Considered For The Lead Were Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cate Blanchett, Gwyneth Paltrow And Gwen Stefani
Initially, when Kidman left the film, the crew considered actresses such as Blanchett and Zeta-Jones. Meanwhile, when Pitt returned to the project, they also considered bringing in Paltrow, because it was thought that the real-life exes would be interesting to watch. Meanwhile, Stefani also revealed to Howard Stern, “I feel like I almost got it.”
12 Angelina Jolie Said Her Two Failed Marriages Drew Her To The Role
While speaking with Vanity Fair, Jolie admitted her two failed marriages allowed her to relate to the role. As fans of hers will remember, before getting together with Pitt, Jolie was married to actors Billy Bob Thornton and Jonny Lee Miller. Both of those marriages ended after 3 years.
11 The House Featured In The Movie Was Also Featured In The 2005 Remake Of Yours, Mine & Ours
The home also gets confused with the one featured in the film “Father of the Bride” and its sequel. However, they are not the same house. That being said, it is exactly the same house we saw used in 2005's remake of "Yours, Mine & Ours" starring Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo.
10 Angelina Jolie Showed More Interest In Weapons Than Brad Pitt While Filming
Doug Liman recalled, “She had no point of reference at all, from her own life, of what a normal home would be like. And she’s much more into weapons, as a human being, than Brad is. Any time my prop guy did show-and-tells of knives and guns, she’d be very, very knowledgeable.”
9 Doug Liman Built A Set For The Film In His Mother’s Garage
According to the Los Angeles Times, Fox once attempted to manage Liman’s budget for the film. The budget had been set to just over $100 million, but it went up to $126 million. In response, Liman personally financed a set to be built inside his mother’s garage. He reportedly ended up destroying this set with a hand grenade.
8 The Famous Widow Jump Scene Was Executed By Jolie Herself
While speaking with Today, Jolie explained about her first run through of the epic scene, “So I happened to get this stunt that suited me. But, yeah, I was a little unsure about something the first time I went down and my coat flew off and I thought, “Oh, I have no pants on. I have no pants on and there's just a crowd of people on the floor.”
7 Production Had To Stop When Brad Pitt Also Had To Film Ocean’s Twelve
For Liman, working on the film’s production sometimes felt like a game of chicken. He recalled, “I was like, There’s no way [Steven Soderbergh] is going to start [Ocean’s Twelve] on time. He doesn’t have a script yet.” But then Pitt had to leave for the other film, and production had to halt on their film temporarily.
6 There Was Heavy Paparazzi Presence On The Set The Entire Time
During production, it emerged that Brad Pitt and then-wife Jennifer Aniston were splitting up. Suddenly, paparazzi were everywhere. Liman told the New York Post, “That’s when the paparazzi took it to the next level.” He continued, “One morning, I asked my assistant director where Brad was, and he goes, ‘Can’t you hear the helicopters? It must be him’”
5 Angelina Jolie Clashed With Director Doug Liman Over How To Shoot Scenes
While speaking with the Times, Liman recalled, “When I was shooting a scene on Mr & Mrs Smith and I had one idea of how the scene should play out . . . Angelina Jolie had a different idea.” As you know, Jolie went on to direct films such as “First They Killed My Father” and “By the Sea.”
4 The Film Had A Different Ending Initially
In the beginning, the ending of the film was supposed to show the couple defeating its two major villains. Terence Stamp and Jacqueline Bisset were originally cast to play these roles. However, the roles were eventually recast and given to Keith David and Angela Bassett. In the end, Bassett and David only ended up providing voice talent.
3 Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie Took Tango Lessons To Prepare For Their Dance Scene
During an interview with Extra, Jolie revealed, “We had to go to dance class.” She later added, “I know knives and strangely enough, I do know dancing a bit when it comes to…but it was funny. It was another level for us to have to learn how to dance together.” That dance scene became one of the film’s sexiest moments.
2 The Film’s Depiction Of Bogotá Drew Criticism From The City’s Mayor
As you know, when the film began, the couple revealed that they had met in Bogotá, Colombia. And unfortunately, the Bogotá scenes shown in the film caught the ire of then-mayor Mayor Luis Eduardo Garzón. Back in 2005, the mayor even posted a lengthy statement, which accused Liman and the production team of “ignorance.”
1 There Were Plans To Make A Sequel But That Was Eventually Scrubbed
Jolie told Vanity Fair, “We did ask somebody to look into 'Mr. & Mrs.' to see if they could crack a sequel, but there wasn't anything original. It was just, 'Well, they're going to get married, or they've got kids, or they get separated.' Never great.” She also admitted that since she’s had kids with Pitt, it “becomes personal now.”