Nic is hosting for August. The movies to watch are:
Trivia
In an interview, writer/director Jim Rash said the script's main inspiration was the opening scene, inspired by a similar conversation he had with his own stepfather when he was 14.
Sam Rockwell would often improvise and joke around on the loudspeaker during scenes. One time, forgetting that there were children around, he made an inappropriate joke about herpes, which upset the owner of the park. Rockwell had to go and apologize so that they could continue filming.
In order to save money, the filmmakers decided to not get trailers for the actors, and instead decided to rent a house for the duration of filming (approx. 6 weeks), where the actors could go between takes. The house turned into a popular hangout spot for the cast and crew, and they would often go to the house even during weekends or days off.
In the original script, the character of Caitlyn was a young teenager who worked in the park and had no significant screen time. After meeting Maya Rudolph, the filmmakers decided to make the character older, fleshed out the character more, and paired her with Owen (Sam Rockwell) hoping that Rudolph would agree to be in the film.
Trivia
Ryan Gosling replaced Hugh Jackman.
Nicolas Winding Refn replaced Neil Marshall as director. Refn was hand-picked by Ryan Gosling for the project.
In preparation for his role, Ryan Gosling restored the 1973 Chevy Malibu that his character uses in the film.
Nicolas Winding Refn's first film based on a novel, and first film he did not write the script for.
Jacinda Barrett auditioned for the role of Blanche.
Irene and Standard were originally a Hispanic couple before Carey Mulligan was cast.
Despite the driving storyline, director Nicolas Winding Refn does not have any interest in cars. He doesn't hold a driving license and has failed his driving test 8 times.
Ron Perlman won the role of Nino after explaining to Nicolas Winding Refn that he wanted to play "a Jewish man who wants to be an Italian gangster because that's what [he is], a Jewish boy from N.Y.".
The idea of Driver listening to the radio while waiting was based on an awkward moment when Ryan Gosling drove Nicolas Winding Refn around while rock band REO Speedwagon were playing on the radio - Refn had a cold at the time.
Despite the elaborate and realistic images of Los Angeles, Nicolas Winding Refn has no knowledge of the city. Refn spent most of his time with Ryan Gosling to get to know the city.
Although fake blood was used on the set, most of the gore effects were added in post-production.
The opening credits song "Nightcall" by Kavinsky, was suggested by editor Mat Newman. The song was also used in The Lincoln Lawyer, which "Drive" costume designer Erin Benach and actor 'Bryan Cranston' also worked on.
Oscar Isaac worked with Nicolas Winding Refn to further develop his character, Standard, as a less archetypal ex-convict.
Casting director Mindy Marin, production designer Beth Mickle and costume designer Erin Benach have all worked with Ryan Gosling before "Drive". The latter has designed distinctive clothes for Gosling in Half Nelson and Blue Valentine, as well as this film.
Angelo Badalamenti was reported to be composing the score before Cliff Martinez, and is credited in some early versions of the film. Martinez later confirmed the name was used as a placeholder.
Carey Mulligan lived at Nicolas Winding Refn's house during her time working on the film.
James Biberi, who typically plays policemen in minor roles, plays against type as the thug Cook.
All the licensed songs (such as "Nightcall" by Kavinsky and "A Real Hero" by College) were released between 2007-2011, despite their retro feel.
Ryan Gosling's character wears a jacket with a scorpion on the back. Gosling also happens to be a Scorpio (born November 12, 1980).
The movie's tagline is the same tagline that was used for No Country for Old Men (There are no clean getaways).
The Driver and Irene actually say very little to each other, primarily because Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan felt that their scenes should be more focused on the mood and refused to say many of the scripted lines. Mulligan summarized making the film as "staring longingly at Ryan Gosling for hours each day."
During filming, Carey Mulligan got pulled over by a cop when driving Nicolas Winding Refn home over the speed limit. Her excuse was having too many cans of Red Bull.
Albert Brooks was in character when he met Nicolas Winding Refn, pinning him against a wall and speaking in a threatening manner. Brooks shaved his eyebrows for his role to make his character more emotionless.
The name of the main character is never revealed. He's always referred to as: 'Kid' or 'Driver' even in the end credits he is listed as 'Driver'.
The mask worn by Driver is from SPFX Masks, which sells ultra-realistic masks to the public.
Bryan Cranston had previously guest starred in a 1998 episode of "The X-Files" called "Drive." That was his first collaboration with screenwriter Vince Gilligan who, impressed by his performance as a sympathetic villain in the episode, would later cast him as Walter White on Breaking Bad which ultimately lead to him being cast in Drive.
Driver references the fable of The Scorpion and the Frog: the frog agrees to carry the scorpion across the river; the scorpion stings the frog, saying "it's my nature" and both drown. Driver can be seen as The Frog of the story - he drives/carries criminals (scorpions) around in his car, but is inevitably dragged into their destructive world (stung) leading to everybody's downfall. Driver's jacket has a scorpion on the back, just as the frog carried the scorpion on its back.
The camera being used by the film crew to shoot the cop car stunt Driver performs is a Panavision Panaflex System 65 Studio, apparently loaned by Panavision to the production as a prop.
The police officer name tag worn by Driver in the movie set scene reads "McCall", referring to assistant property master Dana McCall.
Nino (Ron Perlman) is not the character's real name. Bernie (Albert Brooks) mentions Nino is Jewish and calls him Izzy one time. Typically, the Jewish proper names Isaac or Isadore become the nickname Izzy.
Trivia
