Rush (2013)
Trivia
Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen) wrote the script of Rush on spec. He wrote the first draft assuming there might not even be any racing sequences at all because the prospective film would probably have a very low budget. "If you grow up in England, that's how you think", he said. Instead, he structured the film as a race of sorts between the two main characters.
This is the second director/screenwriter collaboration of Ron Howard and Peter Morgan after their highly acclaimed Frost/Nixon stage-to-screen adaptation in 2008. (The duo's third collaboration is also currently in the works.)
Chris Hemsworth shed 14 kilos to play James Hunt. He originally weighed 98 kilos having bulked up for the titular character in Thor.
The blue six-wheeled Formula One car is a Tyrrell P34. Its design had several technical advantages, and Jody Scheckter did win one race in the car in 1976. But it eventually became uncompetitive due to the weight of its complex front suspension and Goodyear's inability to continue the development of its unique 10-inch tires. The Tyrrell team raced the P34 in 1976 and 1977.
Brühl and Hemsworth weren't allowed to drive a real Formula 1 car so they had to use Formula 3 vehicles with fake F1 bodywork instead.
Bernie Ecclestone appears in a cameo at the finishing line of the 1975 USA Grand Prix.
Captain Phillips (2013)
Trivia
I can't find any trivia about this movie, so here's a pretty trivial interview with Tom Hanks:
The Question: "Did you get a chance to meet with Captain Phillips prior to the movie? If so, what was he like and how does he look back at the hostage situation now?"
Answer: "Rich was watching an NCAA basketball game of UConn in his socks when I walked into his house. He has no fond memories of his ordeal but it's conclusion..."
The Question: "Which would you rather see become a ride at a theme park: The Polar Express or Forrest Gump?"
Answer: "The Captain Phillips Life-Boat Launch Experience."
The Question: "What was it like working with Paul Greengrass? Did you do any research prior to filming Captain Phillips?"
Answer: "Paul made great movies like Bloody Sunday and United 93 - I've wanted to work with him since."
The Question: "Please tell me your favorite piece of trivia from a movie shoot, preferably something we probably didn't know."
Answer: "I had a terrible case of the flu shooting the football scenes in Gump."
The Question: "What was it like working with Sam Mendes in Road to Perdition?"
Answer: "Sam is a talented gent who taught me the joys of Marmite on a toasted bagel."
The Question: "Can you still do the piano dance from Big?"
Answer: "Sure. It's Heart and soul followed by Chopstix!"
The Question: "Mr. Hanks, I think what we all need to know is this: What is your perfect sandwich?"
Answer: "Ham and swiss on spelt. Mustard only and a bit of lettuce. No tomato!"
The Question: "What's your favorite movie you didn't act in?"
Answer: "Recently, Looper. And Das Boot - The Director's Cut."
The Question: "Mr. Hanks: Mustache tips. Go."
Answer: "Shave it off."
The Question: "It is probably one of your lesser known movies, but just wanted to say that I watched That Thing You Do countless times as a teenager."
Answer: "It's the one movie I would love to make again."
The Question: "Scenario: J.J. Abrams is making a reboot movie of The Next Generation. Do you want the role of Picard, Riker, Data, Worf or Q?"
Answer: "The Borg. Nothing else."
The Question: "What classic movie would you have loved to have worked on?"
Answer: "2001: A Space Odyssey"
The Question: "Who is the best smelling actor you have ever worked with?"
Answer: "Hands down, Peter Scolari."
The Question: "Your projects show a deep connection to the stories of World War II. Has that made an impact on you at a personal level?"
Answer: "I never stop learning. Read Rick Atkinson's GUNS AT LAST NIGHT."
Other movies & media of note
- An American In Paris
- Enough Said (in theaters now)
- Foyle's War (new season on OPB)
- I Wei Wei (on Netflix)
- Salinger (in theaters now)
