There are so many good stories in the making of the Princess Bride.
Like how the author, William Goldman, wanted to use a then-unknown Arnold Shwarzenegger to play Fezzik. This was in the '70s, when Goldman was first trying to get the film made (it wasn't made until '87). He thought Arnold would work instead of his first pick, Andre the Giant, whom he figured he'd never be able to score. When he was finally able to make the film in the '80s, Shwarzenegger was too big-time to do the role and they couldn't afford him. You know who ended up with the gig.
Andre had major back problems by the time the shooting happened. They were so bad he couldn't really lift heavy things, including Robin Wright when Buttercup jumps from the castle window into Fezzik's arms. The crew had to attach wires to Wright to hold her up, because Andre couldn't support her weight. (This fact always make me sad.)
Remember that scene in the forest when Count Rugen hits Westley over the head? Cary Elwes told Chris Guest to just go ahead and hit him for real. The hit was hard enough to send Elwes to the hospital and shut down production for a day.
As a coin collector (the truth comes out: I am nerdy in more ways than one), the two rivaling kingdoms of Florin and Guilder are named after two former Dutch currencies, the Florijn and Gulden.
There's plenty more random facts about the movie. Got any? Post below!
Or... keep them up your sleeve until the Battle of Wits on May 22!
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