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SPECIAL EFFECTS THE STARS WANT TO KEEP SECRET

  • Superman’s best assets are his handsome face, spit curl and the ‘S’ logo on his chest – not the junk in his trunk. Which is why Brandon Routh’s ample bulge allegedly needed to be CGI’d to minimise the risk of distraction. This was the biggest problem for the costume department. The reduction was also an attempt to not detract toy sales.
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    Brandon Routh's "bulge" in Superman Returns (2006)

    Superman’s best assets are his handsome face, spit curl and the ‘S’ logo on his chest – not the junk in his trunk. Which is why Brandon Routh’s ample bulge allegedly needed to be CGI’d to minimise the risk of distraction. This was the biggest problem for the costume department. The reduction was also an attempt to not detract toy sales.
  • In “Beowulf”, bombshell Angelina Jolie took on the role of Grendel’s Mother, which required her to sport a nude lizard suit. Ms Jolie talked about how she wasn’t entirely confident that she was having her body scanned for the character’s scenes, which is interesting seeing as how a body double by the name of Rachel Bernstein was actually used for the film.
    2/15

    Angelina Jolie's naked body in Beowulf (2007)

    In “Beowulf”, bombshell Angelina Jolie took on the role of Grendel’s Mother, which required her to sport a nude lizard suit. Ms Jolie talked about how she wasn’t entirely confident that she was having her body scanned for the character’s scenes, which is interesting seeing as how a body double by the name of Rachel Bernstein was actually used for the film.
  • Tobey Maguire's contract demanded US$15,000 to shave his head in this small role, so director Terry Gilliam opted for a bald cap and CGI instead. In the end, it was more expensive.
    3/15

    Tobey Maguire’s bald cap in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

    Tobey Maguire's contract demanded US$15,000 to shave his head in this small role, so director Terry Gilliam opted for a bald cap and CGI instead. In the end, it was more expensive.
  • The search for Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind” had some very important criteria: that the eyes of the actress must be green. Unfortunately, the chosen actress, Vivien Leigh, had blue eyes – which was a problem since by 1939, movies had started to be filmed in colour. As a result, producer David Selznick ordered lens filters, reflective green costumes and green eyeshadow to give the illusion of green eyes.
    4/15

    Vivien Leigh’s eye colour in Gone With The Wind (1939)

    The search for Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind” had some very important criteria: that the eyes of the actress must be green. Unfortunately, the chosen actress, Vivien Leigh, had blue eyes – which was a problem since by 1939, movies had started to be filmed in colour. As a result, producer David Selznick ordered lens filters, reflective green costumes and green eyeshadow to give the illusion of green eyes.
  • When the 20th anniversary special edition of “E.T.” was unleashed in 2002, CGI became Steven Spielberg’s best friend. Dissatisfied with previous aspects of the original film, the spaceships and E.T. were given a makeover. The guns of the FBI agents were also exchanged for walkie talkies to keep parent groups happy.
    5/15

    Guns, spaceships and E.T. in E.T.

    When the 20th anniversary special edition of “E.T.” was unleashed in 2002, CGI became Steven Spielberg’s best friend. Dissatisfied with previous aspects of the original film, the spaceships and E.T. were given a makeover. The guns of the FBI agents were also exchanged for walkie talkies to keep parent groups happy.
  • LiLo starred in children’s movie “Herbie”, but there was one problem (besides her booze warnings on set) – her chest was too “fully loaded” for the Disney flick! Her breasts were digitally reduced to avoid offending the young audience – but in doing so, it alienated another!
    6/15

    Lindsay Lohan’s chest in Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005)

    LiLo starred in children’s movie “Herbie”, but there was one problem (besides her booze warnings on set) – her chest was too “fully loaded” for the Disney flick! Her breasts were digitally reduced to avoid offending the young audience – but in doing so, it alienated another!
  • Apparently, sometimes you can never show too much nudity (it is Hollywood, after all!). The producers of “Hollow Man” got the memo, and proceeded to include Kevin Bacon’s junk in as many scenes as possible… in heat vision, as a skeleton, underwater, out of water, and passing through smoke. Kevin allegedly also requested a digital enlargement – but all the men out there are probably nodding in agreement.
    7/15

    Kevin Bacon’s manhood in Hollow Man (2000)

    Apparently, sometimes you can never show too much nudity (it is Hollywood, after all!). The producers of “Hollow Man” got the memo, and proceeded to include Kevin Bacon’s junk in as many scenes as possible… in heat vision, as a skeleton, underwater, out of water, and passing through smoke. Kevin allegedly also requested a digital enlargement – but all the men out there are probably nodding in agreement.
  • The trailer for the 2008 Indy reboot was deceptively decent; there were car chases, exploding warehouses, angry Russians and lots of guns. Too many, in fact. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) doesn’t allow guns to be directly pointed at a person in its “green band” (i.e. ‘Suitable for all’) trailers. Rather than use a different clip, the studio turned to computer boffins, who lowered all the weapons and gave Ray Winstone a weird-looking new jacket.
    8/15

    Guns in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

    The trailer for the 2008 Indy reboot was deceptively decent; there were car chases, exploding warehouses, angry Russians and lots of guns. Too many, in fact. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) doesn’t allow guns to be directly pointed at a person in its “green band” (i.e. ‘Suitable for all’) trailers. Rather than use a different clip, the studio turned to computer boffins, who lowered all the weapons and gave Ray Winstone a weird-looking new jacket.
  • Jennifer Connelly seemed to do a fine job acting when she looked upset while talking on the phone. But apparently the directors didn’t agree, and thought the scene would only be complete with a CGI tear rolling down her face, since she couldn’t produce it herself. According to The Times, "Visual effects experts privately admit to changing actors' expressions: opening or closing eyes; making a limp more convincing; removing breathing signs; eradicating blinking eyelids from a lingering gaze; or splicing together different takes of an unsuccessful love scene to produce one in which both parties look like they are enjoying themselves." Who needs good acting when you can paint on any emotion you want with technology?
    9/15

    Jennifer Connelly's tear in Blood Diamond (2006)

    Jennifer Connelly seemed to do a fine job acting when she looked upset while talking on the phone. But apparently the directors didn’t agree, and thought the scene would only be complete with a CGI tear rolling down her face, since she couldn’t produce it herself. According to The Times, "Visual effects experts privately admit to changing actors' expressions: opening or closing eyes; making a limp more convincing; removing breathing signs; eradicating blinking eyelids from a lingering gaze; or splicing together different takes of an unsuccessful love scene to produce one in which both parties look like they are enjoying themselves." Who needs good acting when you can paint on any emotion you want with technology?
  • For his role in “Ghost Rider”, Nicolas needed to get into shape to match the handsome, ab-tastic and youthful criteria for his character. As a result, Nicolas stated that he was working hard to tone his body. But he must not have been ripped enough, because instead of just CGI’ing his tattoos out, abs were also placed on his stomach, rendering all his hard work futile.
    10/15

    Nicolas Cage’s abs in Ghost Rider (2007)

    For his role in “Ghost Rider”, Nicolas needed to get into shape to match the handsome, ab-tastic and youthful criteria for his character. As a result, Nicolas stated that he was working hard to tone his body. But he must not have been ripped enough, because instead of just CGI’ing his tattoos out, abs were also placed on his stomach, rendering all his hard work futile.
  • When Edward and Bella first unleashed baby Renesmee into the world, not only was she a vampire-human hybrid (or dhampir), she wasn’t even real. Rather than accept that most babies change as they grow up, producers created an “uncanny-valley CGI moppet” - as the Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw called it; an awful attempt at reproducing child actor Mackenzie Foy’s face.
    11/15

    Baby Renesmee in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)

    When Edward and Bella first unleashed baby Renesmee into the world, not only was she a vampire-human hybrid (or dhampir), she wasn’t even real. Rather than accept that most babies change as they grow up, producers created an “uncanny-valley CGI moppet” - as the Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw called it; an awful attempt at reproducing child actor Mackenzie Foy’s face.
  • If anyone loves CGI, its George Lucas, who tinkered with his classic space yarn several times. For the 2004 DVD re-release of the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy nothing was sacred… even eyebrows. In the scene where Luke unmasks his dying father at the end of ‘Return of The Jedi’, Darth Vader actor Sebastian Shaw had his eyebrows removed to match Hayden Christensen’s burns injuries in ‘Revenge of the Sith.’
    12/15

    Darth Vader’s unmasking in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)

    If anyone loves CGI, its George Lucas, who tinkered with his classic space yarn several times. For the 2004 DVD re-release of the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy nothing was sacred… even eyebrows. In the scene where Luke unmasks his dying father at the end of ‘Return of The Jedi’, Darth Vader actor Sebastian Shaw had his eyebrows removed to match Hayden Christensen’s burns injuries in ‘Revenge of the Sith.’
  • When “Waterworld” was produced in 1995, the film had the highest budget in history (US $175 million!) and a fair chunk of the funds was dedicated to CGI, for example, to bring in an ocean when there was none. It also became used to hide the fact that Kevin Costner was looking a little thinner on top. He requested numerous reshoots and CGI fixes, which resulted in arguments with director Kevin Reynolds. More CGI work was required after Kevin said that the gills on his neck while playing a fish-man looked like a woman’s down-there underwater. But not to worry – where there’s a problem, CGI is there to fix it!
    13/15

    Kevin Costner's hairline (and neck gills) in Waterworld (1995)

    When “Waterworld” was produced in 1995, the film had the highest budget in history (US $175 million!) and a fair chunk of the funds was dedicated to CGI, for example, to bring in an ocean when there was none. It also became used to hide the fact that Kevin Costner was looking a little thinner on top. He requested numerous reshoots and CGI fixes, which resulted in arguments with director Kevin Reynolds. More CGI work was required after Kevin said that the gills on his neck while playing a fish-man looked like a woman’s down-there underwater. But not to worry – where there’s a problem, CGI is there to fix it!
  • Despite the medieval comedy featuring more than its fair share of less-than-subtle innuendo, when marketing the R-rated movie to audiences too young to see it anyway, Natalie Portman’s derriere was deemed too cheeky for the “green band” (suitable for all audiences) trailer. Digitally shape-shifting the star’s thong solved that problem.
    14/15

    Natalie Portman’s backside in Your Highness (2011)

    Despite the medieval comedy featuring more than its fair share of less-than-subtle innuendo, when marketing the R-rated movie to audiences too young to see it anyway, Natalie Portman’s derriere was deemed too cheeky for the “green band” (suitable for all audiences) trailer. Digitally shape-shifting the star’s thong solved that problem.
  • Could it be that the legendary Audrey Hepburn is still alive, 20 years after her supposed death? UK chocolate company Galaxy have featured a walking, human-like Audrey in their latest advertisement released just 3 days ago – all through CGI. The commercial shows the star stuck in traffic on a bus when she sees a handsome man in a Mercedes convertible and jumps into his car. The advert is set along Italy’s Amalfi Coast in the 1950s and plays Audrey’s “Moon River” in the background. Audrey’s sons have approved of the advert and stated that their mother indeed had a “love of chocolate”.
    15/15

    Audrey Hepburn in Galaxy chocolate advert (2013)

    Could it be that the legendary Audrey Hepburn is still alive, 20 years after her supposed death? UK chocolate company Galaxy have featured a walking, human-like Audrey in their latest advertisement released just 3 days ago – all through CGI. The commercial shows the star stuck in traffic on a bus when she sees a handsome man in a Mercedes convertible and jumps into his car. The advert is set along Italy’s Amalfi Coast in the 1950s and plays Audrey’s “Moon River” in the background. Audrey’s sons have approved of the advert and stated that their mother indeed had a “love of chocolate”.
Superman’s best assets are his handsome face, spit curl and the ‘S’ logo on his chest – not the junk in his trunk. Which is why Brandon Routh’s ample bulge allegedly needed to be CGI’d to minimise the risk of distraction. This was the biggest problem for the costume department. The reduction was also an attempt to not detract toy sales.
In “Beowulf”, bombshell Angelina Jolie took on the role of Grendel’s Mother, which required her to sport a nude lizard suit. Ms Jolie talked about how she wasn’t entirely confident that she was having her body scanned for the character’s scenes, which is interesting seeing as how a body double by the name of Rachel Bernstein was actually used for the film.
Tobey Maguire's contract demanded US$15,000 to shave his head in this small role, so director Terry Gilliam opted for a bald cap and CGI instead. In the end, it was more expensive.
The search for Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind” had some very important criteria: that the eyes of the actress must be green. Unfortunately, the chosen actress, Vivien Leigh, had blue eyes – which was a problem since by 1939, movies had started to be filmed in colour. As a result, producer David Selznick ordered lens filters, reflective green costumes and green eyeshadow to give the illusion of green eyes.
When the 20th anniversary special edition of “E.T.” was unleashed in 2002, CGI became Steven Spielberg’s best friend. Dissatisfied with previous aspects of the original film, the spaceships and E.T. were given a makeover. The guns of the FBI agents were also exchanged for walkie talkies to keep parent groups happy.
LiLo starred in children’s movie “Herbie”, but there was one problem (besides her booze warnings on set) – her chest was too “fully loaded” for the Disney flick! Her breasts were digitally reduced to avoid offending the young audience – but in doing so, it alienated another!
Apparently, sometimes you can never show too much nudity (it is Hollywood, after all!). The producers of “Hollow Man” got the memo, and proceeded to include Kevin Bacon’s junk in as many scenes as possible… in heat vision, as a skeleton, underwater, out of water, and passing through smoke. Kevin allegedly also requested a digital enlargement – but all the men out there are probably nodding in agreement.
The trailer for the 2008 Indy reboot was deceptively decent; there were car chases, exploding warehouses, angry Russians and lots of guns. Too many, in fact. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) doesn’t allow guns to be directly pointed at a person in its “green band” (i.e. ‘Suitable for all’) trailers. Rather than use a different clip, the studio turned to computer boffins, who lowered all the weapons and gave Ray Winstone a weird-looking new jacket.
Jennifer Connelly seemed to do a fine job acting when she looked upset while talking on the phone. But apparently the directors didn’t agree, and thought the scene would only be complete with a CGI tear rolling down her face, since she couldn’t produce it herself. According to The Times, "Visual effects experts privately admit to changing actors' expressions: opening or closing eyes; making a limp more convincing; removing breathing signs; eradicating blinking eyelids from a lingering gaze; or splicing together different takes of an unsuccessful love scene to produce one in which both parties look like they are enjoying themselves." Who needs good acting when you can paint on any emotion you want with technology?
For his role in “Ghost Rider”, Nicolas needed to get into shape to match the handsome, ab-tastic and youthful criteria for his character. As a result, Nicolas stated that he was working hard to tone his body. But he must not have been ripped enough, because instead of just CGI’ing his tattoos out, abs were also placed on his stomach, rendering all his hard work futile.
When Edward and Bella first unleashed baby Renesmee into the world, not only was she a vampire-human hybrid (or dhampir), she wasn’t even real. Rather than accept that most babies change as they grow up, producers created an “uncanny-valley CGI moppet” - as the Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw called it; an awful attempt at reproducing child actor Mackenzie Foy’s face.
If anyone loves CGI, its George Lucas, who tinkered with his classic space yarn several times. For the 2004 DVD re-release of the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy nothing was sacred… even eyebrows. In the scene where Luke unmasks his dying father at the end of ‘Return of The Jedi’, Darth Vader actor Sebastian Shaw had his eyebrows removed to match Hayden Christensen’s burns injuries in ‘Revenge of the Sith.’
When “Waterworld” was produced in 1995, the film had the highest budget in history (US $175 million!) and a fair chunk of the funds was dedicated to CGI, for example, to bring in an ocean when there was none. It also became used to hide the fact that Kevin Costner was looking a little thinner on top. He requested numerous reshoots and CGI fixes, which resulted in arguments with director Kevin Reynolds. More CGI work was required after Kevin said that the gills on his neck while playing a fish-man looked like a woman’s down-there underwater. But not to worry – where there’s a problem, CGI is there to fix it!
Despite the medieval comedy featuring more than its fair share of less-than-subtle innuendo, when marketing the R-rated movie to audiences too young to see it anyway, Natalie Portman’s derriere was deemed too cheeky for the “green band” (suitable for all audiences) trailer. Digitally shape-shifting the star’s thong solved that problem.
Could it be that the legendary Audrey Hepburn is still alive, 20 years after her supposed death? UK chocolate company Galaxy have featured a walking, human-like Audrey in their latest advertisement released just 3 days ago – all through CGI. The commercial shows the star stuck in traffic on a bus when she sees a handsome man in a Mercedes convertible and jumps into his car. The advert is set along Italy’s Amalfi Coast in the 1950s and plays Audrey’s “Moon River” in the background. Audrey’s sons have approved of the advert and stated that their mother indeed had a “love of chocolate”.
Yahoo7

Ever heard the expression, "if something seems too good to be true... it probably is"? Well, it applies to actors and actresses in films too.