Con Air Poster Source Bing.com
If you’re a fan of action movies, then you’ve probably seen Con Air at least once. The 1997 film, directed by Simon West, stars Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, and John Malkovich. It tells the story of a group of prisoners who hijack a plane and try to escape. But did you know these fun facts about the movie?
1. The Original Title Was “Jailbird”
Con Air Title Source Bing.com
Before it was called Con Air, the movie was originally titled “Jailbird.” The title was changed to Con Air because the studio thought it sounded cooler and more action-packed.
2. Nicolas Cage Was Paid $20 Million
Nicolas Cage Con Air Source Bing.com
Nicolas Cage was one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood at the time, and he was paid $20 million for his role in Con Air. That’s more than the entire budget of some movies!
3. The Plane Was a Real Aircraft
Con Air Plane Source Bing.com
The plane used in the movie was a real aircraft, a C-123K Provider. It was purchased by the production company and then modified to look like a prison transport plane.
4. The Haircut Scene Was Improvised
Con Air Haircut Source Bing.com
In one scene, Nicolas Cage’s character, Cameron Poe, gives himself a haircut using a shard of glass. This scene was improvised by Cage, who came up with the idea on the spot.
5. The Villain Was Based on a Real Person
John Malkovich Con Air Source Bing.com
John Malkovich’s character, Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom, was based on a real person named Donald Carlsson. Carlsson was a notorious criminal who escaped from prison and hijacked a plane in 1972.
6. The Production Was Delayed Due to a Hurricane
Con Air Hurricane Source Bing.com
During filming, a hurricane hit the location where the movie was being shot, causing production to shut down for several days.
7. The Ending Was Reshot
Con Air Ending Source Bing.com
The original ending of the movie had Nicolas Cage’s character landing the plane on the Las Vegas Strip. However, test audiences didn’t like this ending, so it was reshot with a new ending that had the plane landing in the middle of the desert.
8. The Movie Was Dedicated to a Stuntman
Con Air Stuntman Source Bing.com
The movie was dedicated to a stuntman named Chris LeDoux, who died during production. LeDoux was a country music singer and rodeo champion who had a small role in the movie.
9. The Soundtrack Was a Big Hit
Con Air Soundtrack Source Bing.com
The soundtrack for Con Air was a big hit, featuring songs from artists like Trisha Yearwood, Steve Earle, and Billy Ray Cyrus. It even spawned a hit single, “How Do I Live,” which was performed by both Trisha Yearwood and LeAnn Rimes.
10. The Movie Was Released on Nicolas Cage’s Birthday
Nicolas Cage Source Bing.com
Con Air was released on July 14, 1997, which also happens to be Nicolas Cage’s birthday.
11. The Writer Also Wrote “The Rock”
The Rock Movie Source Bing.com
The screenplay for Con Air was written by Scott Rosenberg, who also wrote the screenplay for another Nicolas Cage action movie, “The Rock.”
12. The Movie Was Filmed in Several States
Con Air Filming Locations Source Bing.com
The movie was filmed in several different states, including Utah, California, and Alabama.
13. The Movie Had a Large Ensemble Cast
Con Air Cast Source Bing.com
Con Air had a large ensemble cast, including Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, Ving Rhames, and Danny Trejo.
14. The Movie Was Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer
Jerry Bruckheimer Source Bing.com
The movie was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, who is known for producing other action movies like Top Gun, Armageddon, and Bad Boys.
15. The Movie Was Criticized for Its Violence
Con Air Violence Source Bing.com
The movie was criticized for its violence, with some critics saying that it glorified violence and had no redeeming qualities. However, it was still a commercial success, grossing over $224 million worldwide.
16. The Movie Had a Video Game Adaptation
Con Air Video Game Source Bing.com
The movie had a video game adaptation, which was released for PlayStation and PC. The game was a first-person shooter that followed the plot of the movie.
17. The Movie Was Parodied on “The Simpsons”
The Simpsons Source Bing.com
Con Air was parodied on an episode of “The Simpsons” titled “The Bart Wants What It Wants.” In the episode, a movie called “Caged Heat” is shown, which is a parody of Con Air.
18. The Movie Was Referenced in “Friends”
Friends Source Bing.com
The movie was referenced in an episode of “Friends” titled “The One with Ross’s Teeth.” In the episode, Chandler says that he’s going to rent Con Air, but Ross tells him not to because it’s a terrible movie.
19. The Movie Was Nominated for Two Oscars
Con Air Awards Source Bing.com
The movie was nominated for two Oscars, including Best Sound and Best Original Song for “How Do I Live.” However, it didn’t win either award.
20. The Movie Had a Sequel
Con Air 2 Source Bing.com
The movie had a straight-to-DVD sequel called “Con Air 2: The Plane That Couldn’t Land.” However, the sequel had no involvement from the original cast or crew and was poorly received by critics.
21. The Movie Was Inspired by a Newspaper Article
Con Air Inspiration Source Bing.com
The movie was inspired by a newspaper article that the writer, Scott Rosenberg, read about a prisoner who was being transported by plane.
22. The Movie Had a Long Development Process
Con Air Development Source Bing.com
The movie had a long development process, with the script going through several rewrites before it was finally greenlit.
23. The Movie Had a Unique Marketing Campaign
Con Air Marketing Source Bing.com
The movie had a unique marketing campaign that included a Con Air-themed
