Get ready to embark on a cinematic adventure like no other as we delve into the extraordinary world of Steven Spielberg. From iconic blockbusters that shaped our childhoods to the heartwarming stories that tugged at our heartstrings, Spielberg’s genius knows no bounds. In this whirlwind of film trivia, we’ll unveil 20 fascinating facts about the master storyteller, revealing the magic behind the man who brought dinosaurs to life, sent us on an unforgettable extraterrestrial encounter, and made us believe in the power of dreams. So grab your popcorn, sit back, and let’s journey through the reel-life wonders crafted by the one and only Spielberg.
1-5 Fun Facts About Steven Spielberg
1. After dropping out of his degree course, Steven Spielberg completed his education 33 years later by submitting his acclaimed film “Schindler’s List” as his final project.
2. When it was time for Spielberg to receive an honorary doctorate from USC’s Cinematic Arts school, he had a unique request. He agreed to accept the honor only if the admissions officer who had rejected him years earlier for an average “C” grade personally signed the degree. It was a playful nod to his past and a way to showcase his journey.
3. In the production of “Saving Private Ryan,” Spielberg made a promise to actor Tom Sizemore that he would have a role in the film as long as he maintained a clean record by passing regular drug tests. Spielberg was committed to his promise, even to the extent of reshooting scenes if Sizemore failed a test.
4. A struggling Vin Diesel, before achieving fame, impressed Spielberg with his short film at the Cannes Film Festival. Spielberg was so taken by Diesel’s talent that he specially crafted the role of Private Caparzo in “Saving Private Ryan” for him.
5. Spielberg has always been at the forefront of cinematic innovation. When he first witnessed a computer-generated imagery (CGI) animatic of a T. rex chasing a herd of Gallimimus, he was blown away. He famously told the creator of the go-motion technique, “You’re out of a job,” to which the creator cleverly replied, “Don’t you mean extinct?” This witty exchange between Spielberg and the creator was later written into the script of Jurassic Park, adding a playful touch to the film.
6-10 Interesting Facts About Steven Spielberg
6. He has won three Oscars so far: Best Director for Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan, and Best Picture for Schindler’s List.
7. An intriguing partnership between Spielberg and George Lucas led to a unique agreement. While visiting the sets of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Lucas expressed his belief that Spielberg’s film would be a bigger hit than his own blockbuster, Star Wars. Spielberg disagreed, and they made a bold decision to trade 2.5% of the profit from each other’s films. To this day, Spielberg continues to receive 2.5% of the profits from Star Wars, showcasing the unexpected outcomes of their friendly wager.
8. With a remarkable track record, Spielberg holds the title of the highest-grossing director in history, with his films collectively earning over $9 billion worldwide.
9. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Steven Spielberg’s net worth exceeds $8 billion.
10. The Medal of Honour video game series was created by Steven Spielberg.
11-15 Shocking Facts About Steven Spielberg
11. Spielberg exhibited patience and personal growth in his approach to “Schindler’s List.” After being given the story, he waited a decade before feeling emotionally and creatively prepared to make the film, recognizing the importance and sensitivity of the subject matter.
12. Initially, Spielberg contemplated filming Schindler’s List entirely in German and Polish. However, he decided against it, stating, “I wanted people to watch the images, not read subtitles. There’s too much safety in reading. It would have been an excuse to take their eyes off the screen and watch something else.” This artistic choice aimed to ensure the audience’s complete immersion in the powerful visual narrative.
13. Demonstrating his commitment to the project, Spielberg declined a salary for directing “Schindler’s List” and instead donated all profits to establish a charity for Holocaust survivors. The studio, concerned about the film’s limited budget and potential for commercial success, agreed to fund it on the condition that Spielberg assists them with another project—the blockbuster hit “Jurassic Park.”
14. During the filming of “Schindler’s List,” Robin Williams regularly called Spielberg to share jokes and lift his spirits.
15. Despite the immense popularity and financial success of the Harry Potter book series, Steven Spielberg declined to direct the movies. He reportedly commented that “It’s just like withdrawing a billion dollars and putting it into your personal bank accounts. There’s no challenge. ”It’s just like withdrawing a billion dollars and putting it into your personal bank accounts. There’s no challenge.”
16-20 Cool Facts About Steven Spielberg
16. Spielberg often negotiates with his stars to forgo a standard fee and instead receive a percentage of the gross profits from his films. For example, Tom Cruise agreed to take 15% of the gross profits from the “Minority Report,” which amounted to an impressive $53.7 million.
17. Spielberg’s desire to direct a James Bond film was met with refusal. However, when he mentioned his intention to George Lucas, Lucas offered him something even better—an opportunity to direct “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” which went on to become a beloved and iconic film franchise.
18. Steven Spielberg created the Indiana Jones films in retaliation for being turned down to direct a James Bond film.
19. In response to complaints about the level of violence and gore in “Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom” and “Gremlins,” Spielberg approached the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) in 1984. He advocated for the creation of a new rating category, PG-13, to bridge the gap between PG (Parental Guidance) and R (Restricted) ratings. This new category allowed for films with more mature content to be released with a warning, but not restricted to adult audiences.
20. During the 1992 Super Bowl, Spielberg was impressed by a McDonald’s advertisement featuring pee wee football. Intrigued by the concept, he reached out to the advertising executives and, together, they transformed it into a full-length movie called “Little Giants.” Spielberg’s involvement helped bring the idea to life on the big screen.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 20 Steven Spielberg Facts
Read More:
