Zoolander’s 20th Anniversary: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About The Film

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since the release of Ben Stiller’s comedy classic Zoolander. An early example of the Apatow comedy generation, it served the purpose of making bigger stars of Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson, Milla Jovovich, and Stiller himself.

However, even with two decades between the film’s release and now, there are plenty of behind-the-scenes facts about the hilarious fashion parody that fans don’t know. From casting to release date difficulties, the production of the cult-classic comedy was rife with fun tidbits that make the viewing experience even better.

20 Jake Gyllenhaal Was At One Point In The Running For The Role Of Hansel

According to Esquire, Owen Wilson was always Ben Stiller’s first choice for the role of rival model Hansel. However, at one point, the busy Wilson looked like he was going to be unable for the shoot.

Auditions were held and Stiller claims to remember only one: Jake Gyllenhaal’s. According to Stiller, Gyllenhaal did a “wide-eyed version of Hansel that was really funny.”

19 Derek Zoolander At The ’96 VH1 Fashion Awards

The character of Derek Zoolander wasn’t written up for the film itself, but rather for an awards ceremony 5 years prior.

According to Esquire, it was the 1996 VH1 Fashion Awards show, and the character was used as a parodic bit taking aim at the ceremony’s attendees.

18 It Didn’t Perform Well At The Box Office

Audiences weren’t ready to laugh when Zoolander hit theaters, and the film went on to make only $15 million over the course of its opening weekend (according to Esquire).

The biggest issue was its release date: September 28th, 2001. It’s understandable that the majority of viewers wouldn’t want to gather in any place so soon after 9/11, much less to laugh as a community.

17 Andy Dick Could Have Been Mugatu

Mugatu was an early major role for Will Ferrell. It was before his major supporting turn in Old School and lead role in Elf (both 2003). However, there was a time where he might not have gotten the role at all.

The role was originally set for Andy Dick, Ferrell’s future Old School co-star. According to Esquire, the actor was unavailable due to prior commitments on a sitcom.

16 Milla Jovovich Made An Interesting Choice For Katinka Ingaborgovinananananana

Esquire gave a few interesting details about Milla Jovovich’s performance in the film. To prepare for the role, the Resident Evil actor took inspiration from her mom’s Russian accent.

Even more interesting, though, is the character’s facial expressions. As Jovovich said: “I was very into her always looking like she just smelled something.” It’s an interesting trait that leads to quite a few laughs throughout the film.

15 Ben Stiller Was Going To Play Maury Ballstein

Ben Stiller wore a lot of hats during the production of Zoolander. Even still, he originally cast himself to play two more roles in the narrative (according to Esquire).

First was that of Maury Ballstein, Derek Zoolander’s agent and co-conspirator in the plot to kill the Malaysian Prime Minister. In the end, the role went to Jerry Stiller, who delivered one of the best movie performances by real-life family members.

14 “Derelicte” Was Based On A Real Fashion Line

Jacobin Mugatu creates a fashion line titled “Derelicte.” It takes inspiration from the fashion of “the very homeless, the vagrants, the crack whores that make this wonderful city so unique.”

It’s a wildly distasteful campaign that seems like an extreme parody. However, those alive in the year 2000 may remember a very similar fashion line that existed in the real world, courtesy of designer John Galliano.

13 It Was Banned In Malaysia & Singapore

Zoolander is a relatively tame comedy, especially in comparison to what came after. However, the film was banned in Malaysia. Understandable, considering it prominently features a plot to kill the country’s prime minister.

It was also banned in Singapore, according to BBC News. This was due to respect for Malaysia as well as an issue with the film’s peyote scene.

12 It Wasn’t Loved By Critics

Just as it’s enjoyed an audience reappraisal, Zoolander has also benefitted from somewhat of a critical reappraisal.

Critics found the movie one-note back in 2001. But since then, they’ve come to see just how sharp of a satire it is. It’s also a timepiece of early aughts comedy cinema, and some critics seem to appreciate that fact the same way they do with Meet the Parents.

11 The Name Was Inspired By Two Male Models

The full name of Derek Zoolander was created by Russell Bates while he was finishing up the VH1 short film. The name was created by combining the names of two famous male models. Naturally, both worked for Calvin Klein, according to CNNMoney.

The first was Dutch, named Mark Vanderloo. The second, an American by the name of Johnny Zander. Zoolander is a perfect name and is indicative of how the best ideas can come from seemingly nowhere.

10 Accusation From Bret Easton Ellis

American Psycho and Less Than Zero writer Bret Easton Ellis accused the movie of copying his similar book Glamorama.

The issue was settled out of court but one thing is for certain: not Ellis novel ever had a tragic gasoline fight accident.

9 There’s A Netflix Animated Series

A Netflix original released 8 months after Zoolander 2 tried and failed to capitalize on the eventual success of the original, Zoolander Super Model was an animated series exclusive to the UK and Ireland.

It eventually found its way to American audiences on CBS All Access, but it took about 4 years. Odd, considering Stiller, Wilson and Taylor reprised their roles alongside big-time newcomers Jenny Slate, Patton Oswalt, Rashida Jones, Katy Perry, and Kim Kardashian West.

8 An Improvised Line

Along with being an actor who’s directed movies, David Duchovny made a particularly memorable cameo appearance in Zoolander.

Duchovny plays former hand model JP Prewitt. He informs Derek and Matilda of the sinister underworld of the modeling industry. Derek asks “Why male models?” and Prewitt elaborates. Derek again asks “Why male models?” This was actually Stiller forgetting his line, but it was so funny they kept it in (according to CheatSheet).

7 Blue Steel’s Origins

Blue Steel is the first look audiences see of Zoolander’s. It’s the one that sent him skyrocketing to success and has earned him fame and respect.

He eventually uses the same look again as Magnum. But, judging by the look on Mugatu’s face, it’s totally different. As it turns out, Blue Steel (and, vicariously, Magnum) were inspired by Stiller’s mirror face, according to Maxim.

6 Ferrell Bleached His Hair

Maxim states that Will Ferrell’s hair in the film is legitimately his hair, just dyed platinum blonde.

Apparently, Ferrell then had to wear a wig while filming half of Saturday Night Live‘s 2000-2001 season. It’s surprising that the actor went as far as he did, but the effect is pulled off well. Mugatu’s hair is so cartoonish it would be easy to believe it’s all fake.

5 Christine Taylor Didn’t Originally Want The Part

Few would argue that Zoolander needed a sequel. However, if there was a good reason it would be more time with Christine Taylor’s Matilda Jeffries.

Unfortunately, she gets only a mention in the sequel, but at least her role in the original was memorable. However, Taylor wasn’t always up for the role. It wasn’t until her husband, Stiller, suggested she go for it that the role became hers (according to Esquire).

4 No Coal Mine

The final cut of Zoolander features a family reunion of sorts. However, instead of a common venue, it’s in a coal mine.

This wasn’t always the case, as the coal mining subplot was a late addition to the writing process. It ended up being a good decision, especially considering it led to “I think I’m getting the black lung, Pop.”

3 Derek’s Twin Brother

Instead of the coal mine subplot, Derek was originally going to have a twin Zoolander brother.

Like with Maury Ballstein, Stiller himself was going to tackle this role. According to Esquire, Stiller said, “One of Derek’s brothers was [supposed to be] a Springsteen impersonator.” It’s an interesting and random direction, but the coal mine angle is better. While Vince Vaughn and Judah Friedlander’s roles aren’t the best celebrity movie cameos of all time, they’re still perfect casting.

2 It Was Originally Rated R

Zoolander is a fairly clean PG-13 comedy as it stands today. However, it was once given the more adult rating of R.

The reasons for the rating were sexual content, profanity, and drug references. All of these things are still in the movie, but it’s not hard for the viewer to see which bits were initially intensified. This is particularly true of the peyote and threesome scene.

1 The Original Ending Was Bizarre

Instead of co-founding the Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can’t Read Good, Zoolander originally ended with the title character’s death.

As Stiller told Esquire, “He has to shoot the ‘Blue Steel’ or ‘Magnum’ look at [a] train to stop it, and it doesn’t work. The train plows and kills him, basically, and then he goes up to heaven.” The original ending is phenomenal and feels like a missed opportunity for humorous finality. This is especially true given the quality of Zoolander 2.

About The Author

Ben Hathaway
(299 Articles Published)

Ben Hathaway is a Senior Writer (Lists) for Screen Rant. A former Therapeutic Day Treatment counselor, Ben is now a career writer. When not working, he is writing and self-publishing (on Amazon) novels under the name Scott Gray. In his spare time, he’s reading on the porch or watching every film under the sun. Ben can be contacted at [email protected].

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