Trivia / Giant

• Actor-Inspired Element: It was James Dean himself who suggested to George Stevens that Jett Rink's final drunken soliloquy should be done in longshot to emphasize the character's utter isolation.
• California Doubling: Only in the case of the Maryland scenes, which were shot in Virginia. The exterior scenes at Reata were all shot in Texas.
• Cast the Runner-Up: Fran Bennett tried out for the role of Lacey Lytton, but was instead cast as Judy.
• Completely Different Title: The film's Brazilian title was Assim Caminha a Humanidade (Mankind Walks Like This).
• Costume Backlash: To a lesser extent, Elizabeth Taylor wrote that while the makeup aging her in the film was exemplary, she felt she didn't look aged enough to play Leslie in her middle-age. This was her motivation to gain weight for roles like Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and in The Sandpiper.
• Dawson Casting: Although Dennis Hopper plays the son of Elizabeth Taylor, in real life, he was only four years younger than her.
• Died During Production: James Dean died before the film was edited so his speech (called the Last Supper) was dubbed by Nick Adams.
• Doing It for the Art:
  • George Stevens made the film for no upfront salary but a percentage of the (substantial) back-end profits.
  • James Dean was so desperate to be in the film that he offered to work for a minimal salary.
• Fake Brit: The Australian Rod Taylor plays Sir David Karfrey.
• Friendship on the Set: Elizabeth Taylor formed a lifelong friendship with Rock Hudson. She also befriended James Dean and was devastated by his tragic death. Some nights they would sit up late as he vented his frustrations with his life as an actor, the restrictions of Hollywood life, and past traumas. Dean also befriended Dennis Hopper.
• Hostility on the Set:
  • Rock Hudson didn't get on with James Dean at all. Although later rumors would suggest that Dean had rejected a pass from the actor, most sources reported that each had little respect for the other's approach to acting, and Hudson resented what he considered Dean's unprofessional behavior.
    Rock Hudson: I don't mean to speak ill of the dead, but he was a prick.
  • Dean frequently clashed with George Stevens. The actor called him every obscene word under the Texan sun.
• Looping Lines: After James Dean's death late in production, Nick Adams provided Rink's voice for a few lines.
• Method Acting: James Dean was so completely immersed in his character that he hardly ever changed out of his costume.
• Playing Against Type: This was James Dean's attempt to stop being typecast after his roles as the angsty teenager in East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause.
• Reality Subtext: Rock Hudson disliked James Dean immensely. Fittingly, they play rivals in the film.
• Wag the Director:
  • George Stevens had a hard time directing James Dean. The problem started with Stevens' ordering Dean to get rid of his Actor's Studio mannerisms like moving his head from side to side or hopping while walking. The two argued constantly, and at one point the actor went on strike for three days. Dean even ordered his agent to come to the location to help him deal with the director. He also referred to Stevens as "Fatso" behind his back. In defiance, Dean would often hold up production for hours, causing the film to go over schedule.
  • At one point, Dean was said to have ruined an outdoor scene by yelling "Cut!" and then unzipping his pants and urinating in full view of the crew and visitors on the set.
  • Dean also refused to undergo a lengthy make-up process for his later scenes, claiming "a man of 45 shows his age in thoughts and actions, not in wrinkles." He only allowed them to gray his temples and put a few lines on his forehead.
  • In addition to Dean, Stevens often argued with Elizabeth Taylor. Most of their fights stemmed from his practice of demanding multiple takes without explaining why or offering additional direction to the actors.
• What Could Have Been:
  • Rock Hudson was given a choice of leading lady - Grace Kelly or Elizabeth Taylor. Audrey Hepburn was deemed "too sophisticated" for the part. Other potential Leslies included Anne Baxter, Olivia de Havilland, Marlene Dietrich, Irene Dunne, Joan Fontaine, Ava Gardner,^note She was unable to leave Pakistan, where she was filming Bhowani Junction Susan Hayward, Rita Hayworth, Katharine Hepburn, Jennifer Jones, Deborah Kerr, Janet Leigh, Vivien Leigh, Patricia Neal, Maureen O'Hara, Donna Reed, Jean Simmons, Gene Tierney and Jane Wyman.
  • Clark Gable was considered for Bick Benedict, but was rejected as too old by producer Jack L. Warner. Other choices included Charles Bronson, Gary Cooper, Kirk Douglas, Errol Flynn, Henry Fonda, Sterling Hayden, Charlton Heston, William Holden, Alan Ladd, Burt Lancaster, Victor Mature, Joel McCrea, Robert Mitchum, Tyrone Power, James Stewart, Robert Taylor and John Wayne.
  • George Stevens wanted to cast fading star Alan Ladd, whom he'd previously cast in Shane, as Jett Rink, but his wife advised against it. Other choices included Marlon Brando, Richard Boone, Richard Burton, Montgomery Clift, José Ferrer, John Ireland, Robert Mitchum, Jack Palance, Anthony Quinn, Frank Sinatra and Rod Steiger.
  • Bette Davis, Ann Harding, Angela Lansbury and Agnes Moorehead were considered for Luz Benedict.
  • Ralph Bellamy, Boris Karloff, Fredric March, Thomas Mitchell, and Walter Pidgeon were considered for Uncle Bawley.
  • Piper Laurie and Elizabeth Montgomery were considered for Judy Benedict.
  • Jack Lemmon and Leonard Nimoy were considered for Jordy.
  • Charles Bronson, Jack Lord and Russ Tamblyn were considered for Bob Dace.
  • Vera Miles and Natalie Wood were considered for Lacey Lynnton.
  • John Carradine was considered for Judge Whiteside.
  • Gloria Grahame was up for the roles of Leslie, Luz Benedict and Vashti Snythe.
  • Rita Moreno was considered for Juana.
  • Keenan Wynn was considered for the role of Gabe Target.
  • Shelley Winters tried out for the role of Vashti Snythe.

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