History Trivia / TheDescendants

** The script was generally more explicit about Sid being Alex's boyfriend, with Matt telling them not to do "anything" under his roof to which Sid replies that he can't really stop them and later talk about them theoretically getting married in the future (though they both say they aren't going to get married).

* CareerResurrection: After falling out of the Hollywood limelight in the early-2000s, Creator/MatthewLillard's well-received role as the man Elizabeth was cheating with got him back on the radar and lined him up with several other dramatic live-action roles, including a stint on FX's ''Series/TheBridge'' and playing antagonist to Creator/ClintEastwood in ''Trouble With The Curve''

** Creator/AmandaSeyfried auditioned for Alex, but was turned down for being considered too old to play a seventeen-year-old. Creator/KristenStewart also auditioned for the same role.

* CareerResurrection: After falling out of the Hollywood limelight in the early-2000s, Creator/MatthewLillard's well-received role as the man Elizabeth was cheating with got him back on the radar and lined him up with several other dramatic live-action roles, including a stint on FX's ''The Bridge'' and playing antagonist to Clint Eastwood in ''Trouble With The Curve''
* CastingGag: A running joke during the early parts of the book is Matt expressing bewilderment at Scottie's choice of t-shirts. One of which simply features the words "Mrs Clooney".
* CreatorCameo: The original author of the book Kaui Hart Hemmings plays Matt's secretary.
* TheDanza: Almost. Judy Greer plays Julie Speer.
* DawsonCasting: Shailene Woodley was twenty-one playing the seventeen-year-old Alex. Nick Krause was nineteen as Sid, who is implied to be the same age as Alex.

** George Clooney garnered arguably the most praise of his career for playing a character who is neither the slyest or most intelligent man in the room, but just a stressed-out father dealing with his dying wife and estranged children. Clooney took the part precisely for this reason.
** Similarly, Matthew Lillard proved he can play a straight, dramatic role against an A-lister and got a CareerResurrection out of it.

** Amanda Seyfried auditioned for Alex, but was turned down for being considered too old to play a seventeen-year-old. Kristen Stewart also auditioned for the same role.
** Miles Teller lobbied hard for the role of Sid. This would mark a third collaboration between him and good friend Shailene Woodley before ''Film/TheSpectacularNow'' and ''{{Literature/Divergent}}''.

** Miles Teller lobbied hard for the role of Sid. This would mark a third collaboration between him and good friend Shailene Woodley before ''Literature/TheSpectacularNow'' and ''{{Literature/Divergent}}''.

* CareerResurrection: After falling out of the Hollywood limelight in the early-2000s, Matthew Lillard's well-received role as the man Elizabeth was cheating with got him back on the radar and lined him up with several other dramatic live-action roles, including a stint on FX's ''The Bridge'' and playing antagonist to Clint Eastwood in ''Trouble With The Curve''

** George Clooney garnered arguably the most praise of his career for playing a character who is neither the slyest or most intelligent man in the room, but just a stressed-out father dealing with his dying wife and estranged children.

** Creator/JudyGreer, usually known for her comedic roles, gives a suprisingly understated and powerful performance.

* HeyItsThatGuy:
** [[Series/{{Reno911}} Deputy Kimball]] is one of Elizabeth's friends.
** Elizabeth was cheating on Matt with [[Film/ScoobyDoo Shaggy]] (or perhaps [[Series/TheBridgeUS Daniel Frye]].)
** Matt's eldest daughter is a Film/{{Divergent}}.
*** [[Film/TheFaultInOurStars Who is also dying of cancer]] (which might make Woodley's role in ''The Descendants'' [[FunnyAneurysmMoment a bit ironic]]).
** [[Series/ArrestedDevelopment Kitty Sanchez]] is the wife of the man Elizabeth is cheating on Matt with.
** [[Film/TheWizard Sam]] has settled in Hawaii, apparently, and is hurting for money.

* PlayingAgainstType: George Clooney garnered arguably the most praise of his career for playing a character who is neither the slyest or most intelligent man in the room, but just a stressed-out father dealing with his dying wife and estranged children. Similarly, Matthew Lillard proved he can play a straight, dramatic role against an A-lister and got a CareerResurrection out of it.

** Matt's eldest daughter is a Literature/{{Divergent}}.

* CareerResurrection: After falling out of the Hollywood limelight in the early-2000s, Matthew Lillard's well-received role as [[spoiler: the guy Elizabeth was cheating with]] got him back on the radar and lined up several other dramatic live-action roles, including playing antagonist to Clint Eastwood in ''Trouble With The Curve''

* CareerResurrection: After falling out of the Hollywood limelight in the early-2000s, Matthew Lillard's well-received role as [[spoiler: the guy Elizabeth was cheating with]] got him back on the radar and lined up several other dramatic live-action roles, including playing antagonist to Clint Eastwood in ''Trouble With The Curve''/

* PlayingAgainstType: George Clooney garnered arguably the most praise of his career for playing a character who is neither the slyest or most intelligent man in the room, but just a stressed-out father dealing with his dying wife and estranged children.

*** [[Film/TheFaultInOurStars Who is also dying of cancer]] (which might make Woodley's role in ''The Descendants'' [[FunnyAneurysmMoment a bit ironic]]).

** Matt's eldest daughter is a Literature/{{Divergent}}.

** Matt's eldest daughter is a Literature/Divergent.

** [[Series/Reno911 Deputy Kimball]] is one of Elizabeth's friends.

** Kai is played by Deputy Kimball from ''Series/Reno911''
** Brian is [[ScoobyDoo Shaggy]]