In 1997, Boogie Nights hit theaters. Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson’s chronicle of the Golden Age of Porn, adapted from a short mockumentary he helmed in high school called The Dirk Diggler Story, was instantly praised by critics for its complex rise-and-fall narrative and stellar ensemble cast (headed by Mark Wahlberg and including fantastic performances by Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, and William H. Macy).
Despite the risqué subject matter, the tale of a nightclub dishwasher’s meteoric rise to the top of the adult film industry and tragic fall from grace captivated moviegoers. So, here are 10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About Boogie Nights.
Leonardo DiCaprio Turned Down The Role Of Dirk Diggler To Star In Titanic
When Paul Thomas Anderson was casting the role of Dirk Diggler, he considered a number of high-profile actors. Joaquin Phoenix was offered the part, but he turned it down because he wasn’t sure about playing a porno actor. (He’d later work with Anderson on The Master and Inherent Vice.) Then, the part was offered to Leonardo DiCaprio, and he liked the script, but the shooting clashed with his commitments to Titanic.
DiCaprio suggested Mark Wahlberg for the role, so Anderson offered it to him. Wahlberg was hesitant at first, since Showgirls had recently failed at the box office, but he changed his mind after reading the script.
Dirk Diggler Was Based On John Holmes
Paul Thomas Anderson based Dirk Diggler on real-life adult movie star John Holmes. The original short that Boogie Nights was based on, The Dirk Diggler Story, was a parody of the documentary Exhausted: John C. Holmes, The Real Story.
The homage is apparent in Dirk’s first character being called John. Dirk’s history as a Marine is based on Holmes’ time in the Army. On the DVD commentary, Anderson explained that Amber Waves was based on Seka, who had a romantic relationship with Holmes.
The Film Was Originally Planned To Be Over Three Hours Long And Rated NC-17
Having experienced hell trying to get his feature debut Hard Eight into theaters, Paul Thomas Anderson expressed very specific instructions when he was first shopping Boogie Nights around producers. He wanted it to be over three hours long, and he wanted it to be rated NC-17.
Producer Michael De Luca said it could be over three hours long or rated NC-17, but not both. Anderson chose to make it R-rated, so he could make a three-hour epic, and the final cut ended up coming in at under three hours anyway.
Paul Thomas Anderson And Burt Reynolds Didn’t Get Along During Filming
It’s well-documented that Paul Thomas Anderson and Burt Reynolds didn’t get along while they were filming Boogie Nights. Reynolds didn’t like Anderson’s attitude, apparently calling him a “punk kid” when he tried to direct his performance.
At one point, Reynolds threw a punch at Anderson, but according to first assistant director John Wildermuth, it didn’t escalate into a fight. Despite this feud, Anderson still wanted to cast Reynolds in Magnolia, but he turned down the role.
Alfred Molina had never heard “Jessie’s Girl” or “Sister Christian”
Before filming Boogie Nights, Alfred Molina had never heard Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” or Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian,” and he had to sing both of them in the movie. In order to learn the lyrics, he spent three whole days listening to just those two songs. After that, they were stuck in his head and he was able to sing along to them in the scenes that required it.
Funnily enough, Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, where Dirk and Reed record “You Got the Touch” in the movie, is the same studio where Rick Springfield recorded “Jessie’s Girl.”
40 Seconds Of Cut Material Meant The Difference Between An R Rating And An NC-17 Rating
When the producers of Boogie Nights sent their initial cut to the MPAA, it was rated NC-17. After cutting just 40 seconds of material, the rating went down to the R that the producers wanted.
The NC-17 version went on to be pirated and widely spread before the actual movie was released.
A Lot Of High-Profile Actors Were Up For Parts In The Film
The casting team behind Boogie Nights looked at plenty of big-name actors for each part. Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Christian Bale, and Ethan Hawke were all considered to play Dirk Diggler. Harvey Keitel, Bill Murray, Jack Nicholson, and Albert Brooks all rejected the role of Jack Horner. The role of Amber Waves, which was eventually played by Julianne Moore, was offered to Marisa Tomei. The role of Buck Swope, which went to Don Cheadle, was first offered to Samuel L. Jackson.
Drew Barrymore and Tatum O’Neal were considered to play Rollergirl, and Gwyneth Paltrow was offered the part and turned it down. Jack Black was considered for the role of Scotty J. and Sean Penn was considered for the role of Rahad Jackson, while John Turturro turned that role down.
Paul Thomas Anderson Worked With Ron Jeremy To Develop The Script
While Paul Thomas Anderson was putting together the screenplay for Boogie Nights, he spent a year hanging out with porn legend Ron Jeremy. Jeremy has been ranked by the Guinness Book of World Records as the actor who’s starred in the most adult films.
He was supposed to have a cameo in Boogie Nights, but the scene he was going to appear in got cut.
Dirk’s Member Was A Prosthetic Made Of Biodegradable Rubber
At the end of Boogie Nights, as Dirk is looking at himself in a mirror, he takes out his gigantic member.
This was a prosthetic made of biodegradable rubber, and after filming was complete, Mark Wahlberg was allowed to keep hold of it as a keepsake. According to Wahlberg, the biodegradable rubber has started to perish.
Burt Reynolds Rejected The Role Of Jack Horner Seven Times Before Accepting
Burt Reynolds was apprehensive about appearing in Boogie Nights, since he didn’t want to promote the porn industry. Paul Thomas Anderson really wanted him to play Jack Horner, so he offered it to him seven times, eventually getting him to accept by assuring him he’d be nominated for an Oscar (which he was).
After seeing a rough cut of the movie, Reynolds hated it. He regretted making the movie so much that he fired the agent who recommended that he take the part.