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44 Behind-the-Scenes Facts About Martin Scorsese’s Best Movies

Funny how? Like a clown?

44 Behind-the-Scenes Facts About Martin Scorsese’s Best Movies

September 26, 2023

Actors who turned down roles, Hollywood politics and secret cameos — here are some of the most fun behind-the-scenes facts to some of Martin Scorsese’s best films…

44

The movie was expected to bomb. The test screening was disastrous-70 people walked out, grossed out by all the violence and blood. As a result, Warner Bros. scaled down the opening from 2,000 theaters to just 000. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

43

Marlon Brando discouraged Scorsese from filming Goodfellas. Scorsese was hesitant about making another crime film after Mean Streets, and Brando told him that he really shouldn't. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes Luckily, fellow director Michael Powell encouraged him to make the movie. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

42

Jimmy Conway spends real money. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes The stack of bills Robert De Niro carries around is made of real, legal-tender greenbacks, belonging to prop master Robert Griffon. Special care was taken to keep track of every bill after each take. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

41

Paul Sorvino almost backed out. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes Sorvino called his agent to get him out of the movie, as he was struggling to get in character as Paulie Cicero. He finally found Paulie in the mirror, though: I saw this guy, and it scared the hell out of me. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

40

Scorsese himself would tie Ray Liotta's tie every day. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes He was insistent that it had to be done in a very specific way. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

39

AI Pacino turned down the movie. Pacino was offered the part of Jimmy Conway, but didn't want to be typecast as a gangster. FINAL DICK Daily For Murder Mayor Building Describes GoodFellas House Civis Behind the Scenes And yet, that same year he played a cartoonish gangster in Dick Tracy. You remember Dick Tracy, right? CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

38

Prosecutor Edward McDonald plays himself. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes The prosecutor who puts Henry Hill in the Witness Protection Program isn't played by an actor- that's the exact same man who put the real Henry Hill in the Witness Protection Program, years earlier. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

37

A lot of the extras were actual gangsters. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes It was hard to put the real-life wiseguys on the payroll, though- they didn't exactly have Social Security numbers, SO they just made them up on the spot when asked. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

36

The final shot is a tribute to an old d-timey movie. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes Tommy DeVito shooting at the camera is a shout-out to 1903's The Great Train Robbery- an acknowledgement that Goodfellas comes from a long tradition of outlaw movies. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

35

John Malkovich was considered to play Jimmy Conway. Malkovich turned down the role, as he was going through a rough patch in his life, and didn't feel like working. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes It's hard to explain why you end up in Eragon and not Goodfellas, he has said. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

34

Lorraine Bracco demanded real jewels. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes Props wouldn't do she needed to really feel Karen Hill's lavish lifestyle, and Scorsese backed her. Production designer Kristi Zea had to run and rent as many pieces of expensive gold jewelry as she could find. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

33

A lot of the dialogue was improvised. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes Scorsese gives actors a lot of freedom to ad-lib, SO the dialogue sounds as natural as possible. In the scene where Tommy DeVito kills Spider, the only line actually in the script is Spider's -you to Tommy. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

32

Martin Scorsese's mom did the cooking. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes Catherine Scorsese didn't just play Tommy DeVito's mother -she also prepared the dinner herself. Whenever characters are having Italian food, it's her Italian food. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

31

The producer didn't want Ray Liotta. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes Scorsese was dead set on Liotta, but produce Irwin Winkler kept pushing him towards hiring someone with more star power. Liotta was able to pitch himself to Winkler during a chance meeting in a restaurant, winning him over. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

30

The You think I'm funny? scene actually happened to Joe Pesci. The scene was based on a similarly uncomfortable situation Pesci had with a real mobster, back when he was a waiter. GoodFellas Behind the Scenes All the reactions are genuine, as the extras had no idea what was going to happen. CRACKED.COM — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

29

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS THE REAL JORDAN BELFORT CAMEOS IN THE FILM. he STRAI SALES THE WOLF OF WALL STREET The guy at the end of the movie introducing Belfort after his prison release and describing him as the single baddest motherfu-er I have ever met is the real Jordan Belfort. CRACKED.COM — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

28

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS JONAH HILL TOOK A MASSIVE PAY CUT. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET Hill was SO desperate to be in one of Scorsese's films that he offered to be in it for $60,0 000- a Screen Actors Guild minimum. CRACKED.COM — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

27

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS THEY WRECKED A REAL LAMBORGHINI. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET For some reason, instead of using a replica, the production crew decided to use an actual 25th Anniversary Lamborghini Countach (one of only 658 ever produced) for scenes where Leonardo DiCaprio drives under the influence of drugs. CRACKED.COM — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

26

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS MATT DAMON WENT ON A REAL POLICE RAID. from Departed THE Damon says that the Boston Police Department helped him prepare for the role by bringing him along during a raid of a crack house. Damon wore a bulletproof vest and went in after the cops cleared the house. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

25

BEHIND-THE-SCENESFACTS ROBERT DE NIRO TURNED DOWN A ROLE IN THE FILM. DEPARTED THE De Niro was offered the role of Captain Queenan but had to turn it down because he was busy directing The Good Shepherd. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

24

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS JONAH HILL PUT A REAL GOLDFISH IN HIS MOUTH. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET Hill says he originally wanted to swallow the goldfish but was forced to drop the idea by PETA. They allowed him to put the fish in his mouth for three seconds at a time and then spit it back into the water. CRACKED.COM — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

23

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS RZA TURNED DOWN THE ROLE OF OFFICER BROWN. Departed THE The Wu-Tang founder says he regrets not taking the opportunity to be in the film and blames his decision on the fact that he was new to Hollywood at the time. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

22

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS THE PRODUCTION GOT INTO TROUBLE WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET The film's production company, Red Granite Pictures, was forced to pay around $60 million to the U.S. government after being sued for using money misappropriated from a Malaysian state fund to finance the film. CRACKED.COM — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

21

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS JACK NICHOLSON REQUESTED THE SEX SCENE. Departed THE Nicholson says that he pushed for the film to showcase the evil side of sexuality. These kind of monsters, they don't usually have a sex life onscreen, so I wanted to bring that to the part. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

20

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS BRAD PITT ALMOST STARRED IN THE FILM. DEPARTED THE Pitt served as a producer on the film and helped develop it. He initially planned on starring in the film as well, however, once Scorsese came on board, Pitt decided the role should go to a younger actor. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

19

BEHIND- BEHIND-THE-SCENESFACTS -SCENES MARK WAHLBERG PULLED FROM REAL LIFE FOR HIS ROLE. DEPARTED THE Wahlberg says he drew a lot from his Boston upbringing to prepare for the role of Sergeant Dignam. Specifically, he based the character on all the cops that arrested him during his troublesome youth. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

18

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS JACK NICHOLSON REJECTED THE ROLE AT FIRST. THE DEPARTED Nicholson initially turned down the role of Frank Costello because he felt the role was too small. He signed on after Scorsese decided to expand the role. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

17

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS DONALD TRUMP WANTED TO BE IN THE FILM. THE WOLF OF WALLISTREET Producer Irwin Winkler revealed that Trump paid the production a visit while they were shooting scenes outside of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. He says Trump wanted a role in the film but nothing came of it because the future president wanted more than a walk-on cameo. CRACKED.COM — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

16

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS DICAPRIO OUTBID BRAD PITT FOR THE FILM RIGHTS. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET In 2007, DiCaprio secured the film rights for Jordan Belfort's memoir The Wolf of Wall Street over his Hollywood buddy, Brad Pitt. Belfort decided to sell to DiCaprio because he had Scorsese on board to direct. CRACKED.COM — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

15

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS MARGOT ROBBIE GOT THE ROLE BY SLAPPING DICAPRIO. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET Robbie says that with 30 seconds left on her audition, she realized she had to do something that would impress the casting directors and secure her the role. Instead of kissing DiCaprio as she was supposed to, Robbie slapped the sh*t out of him. CRACKED.COM — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

14

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS JACK NICHOLSON WASN'T SUPPOSED TO PULL OUT A GUN. Departed THE According to Scorsese, Nicholson didn't tell anyone he was gonna pull a gun out in the iconic I smell a rat scene. DiCaprio's surprised reaction in the film is genuine and he regards the scene as one of the most memorable moments of his life. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

13

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS RAY WINSTONE AND JACK NICHOLSON DIDN'T GET ALONG. DEPARTED THE Winstone, who played Nicholson's right -hand -hand man, says that despite them having great chemistry on screen, the two just didn't click in real life. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

12

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS JORDAN BELFORT IS SUING THE PRODUCTION COMPANY. THE WOLE OF WALL STREET In 2020, Belfort sued Red Granite Pictures after they were forced to pay $60 million to the U.S. government for their part in the Malaysian financial scandal. Belfort is alleging that the scandal tainted his life story and is asking for $300 million in damages. CRACKED.COM — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

11

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS JORDAN BELFORT'S ACTUAL PI PLAYS HIMSELF. THE WOLFOO WALL STREET Belfort's private investigator in the movie was played by Bo Dietl - the former head of security and PI for the real-life Belfort. Dietl also had small roles in two other Scorsese productions, Goodfellas and The Irishman. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

10

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS STEVEN SPIELBERG HELPED DIRECT DICAPRIO'S ICONIC SPEECH. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET Scorsese says that on the day he was shooting the Steve Madden speech, Spielberg came to the set to say hello. He decided to stay for the whole day and gave suggestions on different camera angles and directing methods. CRACKED.COM — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

9

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS MARK WAHLBERG WASN'T THE FIRST CHOICE. Departed THE Before hiring Wahlberg, Scorsese sought out Ray Liotta and Denis Leary for the role of Sergeant Dignam but both had to turn him down due to scheduling conflicts. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

8

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS FRANK COSTELLO IS BASED ON A REAL MOBSTER. Departed THE Costello's character is based on the famous mobster James Whitey Bulger. Frank Costello is also the name of a real-life New York mafia leader. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

7

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS HILL TRICKED DICAPRIO INTO POISONING HIMSELF. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET After getting tired of DiCaprio jokingly beating him up on set, Hill decided to get revenge by purposely screwing up takes during a scene where their characters eat sushi so DiCaprio would be forced to keep eating raw fish. After around 70 takes, DiCaprio fell violently ill and started vomiting. CRACKED.COM — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

6

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS IT'S A LOOSE ADAPTATION OF ANOTHER MOVIE. LEONARDO MATT MARK INFERNAL JACK DICAPRIO DAMON NICHOLSON WAHLBERG ZAFFARS ANDY LAU TONY LEUNG DEPARTED THE A NEW AMERICAN CRIME CLASSIC The film's premise is based on 2002's Infernal Affairs, a critically acclaimed action movie from Hong Kong. The film's writer purposely decided to not watch the original before writing the script. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

5

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS A SEQUEL WAS IN DEVELOPMENT. Departed THE In 2016, produce Roy Lee revealed that a sequel was in development at one point and that the idea was to bring back characters that died in the original. The project fell through because it was too expensive and Scorsese wasn't interested in directing. CRACKED.COM — Source: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Departed

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44 Behind-the-Scenes Facts About Martin Scorsese’s Best Movies — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

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44 Behind-the-Scenes Facts About Martin Scorsese’s Best Movies — Source: 16 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wolf of Wall Street

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44 Behind-the-Scenes Facts About Martin Scorsese’s Best Movies — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

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44 Behind-the-Scenes Facts About Martin Scorsese’s Best Movies — Source: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Goodfellas'

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