* BreakawayPopHit: While the film is by no means forgotten and has become a staple of '80s films, "Maniac" became such a big hit that it can claim to be independent of the film.
* PopCultureUrbanLegends: "Maniac" was written for the film based on a pre-existing track, but an urban legend holds it was originally written for the slasher film ''Film/Maniac1980''. That film's director, William Lustig, did an interview in 2010 with Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky to clear up the misunderstanding (the film was a main inspiration and provided additional lyrics, but predates the song by several years).
* StillbornFranchise: Paramount held dancer auditions for a proposed sequel to this film. That film was never made.
* ThrowItIn: The sweatshirt Creator/JenniferBeals wanted to wear shrank in the wash, so she had to cut out the collar in order to put it on, even though it would keep slipping off her shoulder. This ended up [[TheRedStapler creating a fashion craze]] for off-the-shoulder sweatshirts and T-shirts through the mid-80s, and which unexpectedly came back into fashion beginning around 2009.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen:
** The director's chair was originally offered to Creator/BrianDePalma. [=DePalma=] accepted, but a few weeks into pre-production, he left the film to direct ''Film/Scarface1983'' and was replaced by Creator/AdrianLyne. Creator/DavidCronenberg was also offered the job.
** The role of Nick was offered to [[Music/{{KISS}} Gene Simmons]], who declined it rather than compromise his onstage persona. Incidentally, both him and Creator/CynthiaRhodes (Tina) would go on to appear together in ''Film/{{Runaway}}''.
** Creator/KevinCostner was the runner-up for the role of Nick. Creator/PierceBrosnan, Creator/RobertDeNiro, Creator/RichardGere, Creator/MelGibson, Creator/TomHanks, Creator/JackNicholson, Creator/AlPacino, Creator/JoePesci and Creator/JohnTravolta were also considered. Creator/BurtReynolds was offered the role, but declined due to scheduling conflicts.
** Creator/JamieLeeCurtis, Creator/BoDerek, Creator/BridgetFonda, Creator/JenniferGrey, Creator/MelanieGriffith, Creator/DarylHannah, Creator/HelenHunt, Creator/JenniferJasonLeigh, Creator/AndieMacDowell, Creator/DemiMoore, Creator/TatumONeal, Creator/MichellePfeiffer, Creator/SharonStone and Creator/DebraWinger were all considered for Alex Owens. Eventually, it was whittled down to Jennifer Beals, Demi Moore, and Leslie Wing, with Beals emerging the victor.
** "Maniac" was originally inspired by news reports of a serial killer, with further inspiration coming from the horror film ''Film/Maniac1980''. Michael Sembello accidentally left it on the demo tape for his other songs he wrote for the film but the producers liked the song enough to have him rework it for this film.
** Music/PhilCollins turned down the opportunity to write a song for the film.
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