Trivia / The Bodyguard

• Actor-Inspired Element:
  • It was Kevin Costner's idea for Whitney Houston to start "I Will Always Love You" a capella.
  • Kevin also recommended the iconic shot of the Bridal Carry to be the movie's poster, and since audiences loved it, he was right.
• Died During Production: A worker died when he was crushed between two lighting-equipment cranes during filming.
• Friendship on the Set: Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston became friends. They bonded over growing up in the Baptist Church and he told her a story about getting caught sneaking grape juice from the communion glasses. He later gave the eulogy at her funeral.
• Hey, It's That Place!: Rachel's mansion is the same mansion as Jack Woltz's in The Godfather.
• Revival by Commercialization: Dolly Parton received renewed popularity in the 1990s after Whitney Houston covered her song, "I Will Always Love You", even thanking her. Parton regretted never getting a chance to duet with Houston prior to the latter's death in 2012. Parton expressed her heartbreak upon Houston's death.
• Saved from Development Hell: The film was originally proposed in the mid-'70s, starring Diana Ross and Steve McQueen (actor), but was rejected as "too controversial". The film concept was to be attempted again in the late 1970s, with Ryan O'Neal and Diana Ross cast as the leads. The project fell through after only a few months because of irreconcilable differences between O'Neal and Ross, who had been dating.
• Stillborn Franchise: A sequel was planned, with Princess Diana to play herself opposite Costner. Sadly, it was not to be; Costner received the completed script the day before Diana died in a car crash.
• What Could Have Been:
  • Rachel was originally going to sing "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" instead of "I Will Always Love You", before Fried Green Tomatoes used the former song. In fact, it was Costner who suggested "Love You" be used in the film, saying it would work better.
  • Denzel Washington turned down the role of Frank in favor of Malcolm X.
  • Pat Benatar, Debbie Harry, Joan Jett, Janet Jackson, Madonna, and Dolly Parton were considered for Rachel Marron.
  • Kevin Costner asked Paul Newman to play his father, but he declined, as the part was too small.
  • At one point, the film was going to star Rutger Hauer and Whoopi Goldberg.

---