Pulp Fiction The Rewatchables
Pulp Fiction poster
Pulp Fiction

Half-Assed Internet Research

Production; financing; cast alternatives and auditions; Oscar nominations; box office

In the discussion (24)
Approx. transcript time · 00:04:55Read transcript
  • A screening reportedly paused after audience members fainted during the adrenaline sequence; whether the event was Cannes or New York is uncertain.
  • TriStar reportedly rejected the script as too demented before Miramax financed it.
  • The budget is stated as 8.5 million dollars, including 900,000 for Tarantino to write and direct.
  • Jersey Films reportedly signed Tarantino and Avary; Tarantino wrote in Amsterdam with a 900,000-dollar writing/directing deal.
  • Avary contributed the Butch/Marsellus story plus the missed gunshots and backseat killing; Curdled inspired the cleaner and supplied the cab-driver actress.
  • Keitel’s commitment reportedly helped secure the first 1.5 million dollars.
  • The screenplay/story credit division and reported purchase of Avary ideas remain complicated; their continued friendship and podcast are noted.
  • Travolta reportedly declined American Gigolo, An Officer and a Gentleman, Manny in Scarface, Splash and Forrest Gump, and unsuccessfully pursued First Blood, Top Gun and Pretty Woman.
  • Tarantino initially pitched Travolta the From Dusk Till Dawn role associated with Clooney while expecting Madsen to play Vincent.
  • Their long apartment visit included Grease and Welcome Back Kotter board games and a challenge to Travolta’s poor film choices.
  • Madsen’s departure for Wyatt Earp opened the Vincent role.
  • Travolta’s slowed words and exaggerated articulation helped make the role unexpectedly funny.
  • A prior Tarantino interview is introduced to correct the belief that Jules was written for Jackson: Fishburne was the original intended actor.
  • In an archival interview, Tarantino says Fishburne’s representatives advised rejecting Jules to pursue above-title leading roles, despite Fishburne wanting the part.
  • The archival account identifies Bad Company, not Just Cause, as the starring film Fishburne chose instead.
  • Tarantino’s archival account says Die Hard 3 was intended for Fishburne, but stalled million-dollar negotiations let producers choose Jackson after seeing Pulp Fiction at Cannes.
  • Jackson’s initially casual reading allowed Calderón to become a serious contender, requiring a competitive return audition.
  • A cited oral history says Calderón faltered while Tarantino was late, whereas Jackson’s angry burger-eating audition secured Jules.
  • Jackson’s reading of the final shepherd speech reportedly convinced Lawrence Bender that the ending would work.
  • Willis reportedly wanted Vincent and was annoyed at Travolta receiving the more prominent role.
  • Black Mask was reportedly an early title, reflecting the pulp magazine influence.
  • Individual Keitel, Jackson, Thurman and apparently Travolta character posters accompanied the main campaign, including an earlier planned release date.
  • The film won screenplay and received nominations for picture, director, actor, supporting actor, supporting actress and editing.
  • An 8.5 million-dollar budget and at least 210 million gross are stated, along with a claim that this was the first independent film to pass 100 million.