Twenty five years ago, Independence Day was released in theaters and a new modern classic was born. Even though most everyone who visits The Retro Network has likely seen the film, there may be some things about it that you didn’t know. With that in mind, check out these five fun facts about Independence Day!
1. The film was almost titled ‘Doomsday’ instead of Independence Day
Producers Roland Emmerich and Dean Delvin had wanted to name the movie Independence Day all along, but the rights to that name were held by a different studio. They added the iconic final line of Bill Pullman’s famous speech in an attempt to convince the studio to go after the title…it worked.
2. The role of President Thomas Whitmore was meant for Kevin Spacey
Producer Dean Delvin went to school with Kevin Spacey and wrote the part of the President with him in mind. One of the movie studio’s executives didn’t see Spacey as a movie star, so the role went to Bill Pullman instead.
3. Some of the movie’s sets were recycled from other films.
The submarine shown early in the Persian Gulf early in the film came from Crimson Tide, the stealth bomber was the same one from the movie Broken Arrow, and the White House interior sets were the same ones as featured in Nixon and The American President.
4. The U.S. military was not pleased with the inclusion of Area 51 in the movie.
Originally, the U.S. military was going to assist with the filming of the movie by providing expertise, accurate uniforms, vehicles, and other props. But, they ordered the removal of all mentions of Area 51 from the film, and when the filmmakers refused, they withdrew their support.
5. The aliens got their gooey look from being covered in K-Y Jelly
Just making the aliens look all slimy would take a lot of personal lubricant under normal circumstances, but since the scenes were filmed in hot Las Vegas locations, it took even more due to them drying out so quickly.
You can stream the Independence Day Special Edition Extended Version on Amazon Prime!
Independence Day
Cool stuff! Pity the military are so… I dunno. Prickly? …about Area 51. It’s practically a pop culture icon at this point, they might as well roll with it.
Sorry, but the submarine at the beginning of the movie doesn’t come from Crimsom Tide: it’s a diesel-electric Agosta Class submarine, either from the French or Spanish Navy
Forget it, you was talking about the set, not the submarine. My fault.