It’s been more than 30 years since Bill & Ted first rocked their way into theaters. To this day, it remains one of the most beloved cult-classics of all time.
As a way to celebrate these incredible characters, as well as prep for the upcoming release of Bill & Ted Face the Music , check out these 10+ Bill & Ted behind the scenes secrets that fans didn’t know!
1. William Sadler contributed a lot to the role of the Grim Reaper.
William explained during an interview with The Hollywood News that it was him that came up with the idea for the Reaper Rap !
Much of his dialogue was also ad-libbed and written on the fly.
2. A lucky fan actually won the time-traveling phone booth!
Back in the early ’90s, Nintendo was running a contest as a way of promoting the film.
A fan by the name of Kenneth Grayson was the lucky recipient. Kenneth even participated in an AMA to answer fan questions about the booth!
3. Visual design was incredibly important.
A grand total of twenty-five different sets were built on three soundstages. While no two sets were alike, a circular motif was implemented to create an overall feeling of familiarity.
A most excellent decision, if I say so myself.
4. Joss Ackland wasn’t a fan!
Joss Ackland played Chuck De Nomolos and he kind of seems like a bit of a tool. Ackland admits that the bulk of his acting jobs were only undertaken as a way to settle bets or make money.
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He told the BBC that he feels a very deep sense of regret from appearing in the film.
5. The original title for the second film was *Bill & Ted Go To Hell*.
The biggest reason for the change came down to advertising, producer Scoot Kroopf told The New York Times :
“The problem was — and it was a real one — we couldn’t advertise on TV until after 9 o’clock.”
6. Science-fiction runs in Chris Matheson’s family.
His father is Richard Matheson , author of the book “I Am Legend.” Chris explained in an interview with Starlog that :
“I try to consciously fight it, out of a desire to break away – but maybe I have a predilection toward that because of my dad.”
7. Pauly Shore really wanted to be in the movie
Pauly “The Weasel” Shore was a comedian with a string of semi-successful films in the early ’90s.
He hosted a premiere party for Bill & Ted and Keanu was in attendance. Pauly also auditioned for the role of Ted, as he painfully explains to Keanu.
8. Peter Hewitt’s Director’s Cut of *Bogus Journey* was too much for audiences to handle!
Peter explained to Starburst that :
“The first Bogus Journey cut was far darker than it is now. That’s a definite British trait. The humour [sic] was black comedy almost. The Evil Us’s were really evil!”
9. There was some confusion as to which actor would play which part.
Keanu explained to Moviefone that when he was offered the role, he thought he’d landed the part of Bill!
“I got a call saying that I got the part. So I went to the wardrobe fitting, for my wardrobe fitting, assuming I was playing Bill.”
“And I get there and Alex Winter, who eventually played Bill, went to the wardrobe fitting thinking he was playing Ted.”
Keanu goes on to say that he and Alex sorted out the truth of the situation at the very last minute.
Can you imagine how differently the film might have been had Keanu and Alex played opposite parts?!
10. Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves were too cool for the directors original concept.
According to an interview Ed Solomon gave with Cinefantastique ,
“We actually had a scene that was even shot, with Bill and Ted walking past a group of popular kids who hate them. But once you cast Alex and Keanu, who look like pretty cool guys, that was hard to believe.”
11. There was once a short-lived *Bill & Ted* animated series!
The series was called Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures ! It only ran for one season but both Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves lent their vocal talents to their animated counterparts.
But the Bill & Ted mania didn’t stop there…
They even had their own cereal!
The commercial is something to behold. I wonder if there’s still an unopened box of the stuff somewhere out there? Now that would be a truly excellent meal.
What’s your favorite moment from Bill & Ted ? Leave a comment and let us know!
12. Bill & Ted were born from an improv class!
It was back in 1983, while creators Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson were still struggling students at U.C.L.A. As Solomon said to Cinefantastique :
“One day, we decided to do a couple of guys who knew nothing about history, talking about history.”
13. The casting of George Carlin happened almost completely by accident.
During a Reddit AMA , Alex wrote that:
“He [George] was a very happy accident. they [sic] were going after serious people first. Like Sean Connery. And someone had the idea, way after we started shooting, of George. That whole movie was a happy accident.”
