10 Fascinating Facts About the Film Interstellar

The AI machine TARS in Interstellar was not created using CGI. Instead, it was a “puppet” controlled by actors Bill Irwin and Mark Fichera.

Interstellar is widely considered one of the greatest science-fiction movies ever made.

Released on November 5, 2014, it perfectly blends physics and captivating storytelling.

With a running time of 169 minutes, Interstellar is one of Christopher Nolan’s most memorable works.

Here are some interesting facts about Interstellar that you may not know:

The AI machine TARS in Interstellar is a real puppet.

The actual TARS is not as complex as the AI machine in the movie. Instead, it’s a large puppet inspired by lollipop sticks.

Bill Irwin, who voiced the character, controlled its movements, while stuntman Mark Fichera handled the more complicated actions.

The space suits worn by the actors in Interstellar are functional.

Mary Zophres, the costume designer for Interstellar, had a limited time to create the perfect space suits for the movie.

She experimented with different designs and materials, aiming to strike a balance between form and function.

Like real space suits, Zophres’ suits have working oxygen units, enabling the actors to breathe comfortably during extended shooting sessions.

The suits also come equipped with cooling tubes that carry water to help regulate body temperature, as they can get quite hot inside.

The film remains faithful to science.

Christopher Nolan was committed to keeping Interstellar as scientifically accurate as possible.

To this end, he collaborated with Dr. Kip Thorne, the 2017 Nobel Prize winner for Physics, on the project.

While they had disagreements about certain aspects, like exceeding the speed of light, Nolan ultimately agreed to stay true to science, thanks to Dr. Thorne’s guidance.

New CGI software was developed specifically for the movie.

To ensure scientific accuracy, Dr. Kip Thorne provided the theoretical equations for the wormhole and black hole simulations in Interstellar.

Paul J. Franklin and his team at Double Negative developed new CGI software that could realistically represent scientific phenomena in the film.

Anne Hathaway nearly suffered from hypothermia while filming on the ice planet.

During her scene on the ice planet, Hathaway’s space suit wasn’t zipped correctly, causing cold water to seep in.

Despite informing director Christopher Nolan, she wasn’t given any time off, so they quickly wrapped up the scene to prevent any further issues.

Thankfully, the scene didn’t take long, and Hathaway was fine.

Steven Spielberg was initially set to direct Interstellar

Steven Spielberg, a renowned filmmaker, had a chance to direct several notable movies, but he missed the opportunity to direct Interstellar.

After Dreamworks and Paramount parted ways, Spielberg was unable to continue working on the movie since Paramount owned the rights to the story.

It’s difficult to say what Spielberg’s version of Interstellar would have looked like since it wasn’t made, but it would have included a romantic relationship between Cooper and Brand, and Cooper would have returned to Earth in 2230 to find a wasteland. Additionally, the Chinese would have played a more significant role, having arrived on the ice planet decades earlier.

The score for Interstellar was composed by world-renowned composer Hans Zimmer

Christopher Nolan wanted a brand new score for Interstellar, so he enlisted the help of Hans Zimmer to develop it.

Despite having no script, title, or plot details, Zimmer produced the score for the movie using a single-page text describing the film’s primary themes.

In the end, the score successfully embodied the heart of the movie.

Timothée Chalamet cried after watching Interstellar

In 2014, Timothée Chalamet was a relatively unknown actor when Interstellar was released. He was hoping for the film to help advance his career, but he was disappointed to learn that his character’s role was much smaller than he had hoped for.

After the screening, he couldn’t stop crying when he got home. Fortunately, Timothée Chalamet got his big break soon after, with roles in Lady Bird, Call Me By Your Name, and Beautiful Boy.

Various locations around the world were used to film Interstellar

The Interstellar cast and crew traveled around the world to shoot the film, rather than relying solely on CGI. Christopher Nolan wanted to capture the perfect scenes, so he took his crew to locations such as the Eldhraun lava field, Svínafellsjökull, Mafabot in Iceland’s southern region, and Alberta, Canada.

The interviews at the beginning of the movie were real

Christopher Nolan used original footage from the 2012 documentary by Ken Burns, The Dust Bowl, to create some of the early scenes on Earth in the movie.

Whether you’re a fan of epic science-fiction films or not, Interstellar is a movie that anyone can appreciate.

The film’s impact

The film will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on its audience, thanks to its stunning visuals and thorough scientific analysis. It may even inspire a newfound appreciation for space exploration and technology.

FAQ

1. What was the inspiration behind the movie Interstellar?

The inspiration for Interstellar came from the desire to create a scientifically accurate and visually stunning film that explored the mysteries of space and time. Director Christopher Nolan collaborated with physicist Kip Thorne to ensure that the film’s depictions of black holes and wormholes were as accurate as possible. Nolan was also inspired by classic sci-fi films like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

2. Who stars in Interstellar?

Interstellar stars Matthew McConaughey as Cooper, a former NASA pilot who embarks on a mission to find a new home for humanity. Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, and Casey Affleck also star in the film.

3. What is the plot of Interstellar?

The plot of Interstellar follows a group of astronauts who travel through a wormhole in search of a new habitable planet for humanity. The film explores themes of time, love, and the human condition as the characters navigate the dangers of space and the unknown.

4. How was the soundtrack for Interstellar created?

The soundtrack for Interstellar was created by legendary composer Hans Zimmer. Zimmer and Nolan collaborated closely to create a score that was both emotional and epic, using a mix of traditional orchestral music and electronic sounds. The score also features a prominent use of the church organ, which creates a haunting and otherworldly sound.