Trivia / The Skeleton Key

• Awesome, Dear Boy:
  • Kate Hudson says she read the script in an hour and wanted to sign on immediately - as she is a big fan of the supernatural and mysticism.
  • John Hurt signed on because he liked the challenge of playing a man who couldn't speak.
• California Doubling: The film was shot on-location in Louisiana. But in St James's Parish, as the real Terrabonne Parish is coastal and swampy. But when Gena Rowlands suffered a broken ankle on set, they rearranged the schedule and filmed some of her scenes in California.
• Dyeing for Your Art:
  • Ronald McCall had long dreadlocks when he signed on. He had to cut them off to play Papa Justify.
  • Kate Hudson had just given birth and so had to lose a lot of post-pregnancy weight (over 60 lbs to be specific). This does explain why Caroline has a few outfits involving loose black tops.
• Enforced Method Acting: Kate Hudson stayed away from research about Hoodoo or Voodoo, as she felt it would help her play a woman who knows nothing about those topics.
• Fake American: The British John Hurt plays the presumably American Ben. However as he's an invalid who can't speak, this is a very slight example.
• Irony as She Is Cast: Kate Hudson joked about the irony of her playing a skeptic, as she admits to being superstitious in real life.
• No Stunt Double: Kate Hudson did the majority of stunts herself, except for the mirror scene towards the end.
• Playing Against Type:
  • Kate Hudson, she of romantic comedies and light-hearted dramas in a horror piece.
  • Gena Rowlands had never done a horror film before either.
• Vacation, Dear Boy: Peter Sarsgaard joked that the main appeal was getting to shoot on location in New Orleans.