John Hughes is widely revered as Sixteen Candles.
One year later, in 1985, Hughes made both Weird Science. While both have become classic comedies, the former still outshines the latter in of critical and commercial success. For more details, here are 10 behind-the-scenes facts about the making of Weird Science.
John Hughes' Process
John Hughes wrote the screenplay for Weird Science in just two days. He took the title from the classic 1950s anthological comic-book series of the same name. For the titular theme song, Hughes phoned Oingo Boingo frontman Danny Elfman while he was driving in the car and asked him to write a theme song for the film.
During filming, Hughes was incredibly unhappy. He only agreed to direct the film if Universal granted him the chance to direct The Breakfast Club as well, a labor of love that distracted him from his duties on Weird Science.
Casting
Hughes wrote National Lampoon's Vacation, which starred Anthony Michael Hall as Rusty Griswold. Hall was subsequently cast in several Hughes movies, beginning with Sixteen Candles. In a franchise-shifting decision, Hall opted out of reprising the role of Rusty Griswold in European Vacation to star in Weird Science instead.
As a result, Rusty and his sister Audrey Griswold were never played by the same two actors from movie-to-movie. Only in Christmas Vacation 2 did Dana Barron (the original Audrey) reprise her role.
Shermer, Illinois
Shermer, Illinois, is a fictional town that serves as the setting for several Hughes movies. Shermer High School is featured in both Sixteen Candles and Weird Science, linked by the exact same tracking shot used in both movies for the exterior of the school.
Furthermore, the town of Northbrook, Illinois, used to be called Shermerville until 1923. The local high-school in town, Glenbrook North High, was used for an exterior shot of Hughes' Ferris Bueller's Day Off. This proves that the movies share the same universe.
Road Warrior Connection
For the biker gang-leader at the end of the film, actor Vernon Wells essentially reprises his role as Wez from Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. Earlier in the film, Ian tells Lisa that people call Max "Mad Max."
As Lord General, Wells dons nearly-identical studded leather, mohawk, see-thru tank-top, and facial makeup as his character Wez did in The Road Warrior. It was the first time the Australian actor traveled to America, leading to his immediate casting in Commando the same year.
Kelly LeBrock
Kelly LeBrock initially turned down the role of Lisa, citing her time on the beaches of to be more of a priority. Before she finally accepted the role, Demi Moore and Robin Wright auditioned for the part. An actress named Kelly Emberg was cast as Lisa but was replaced after a couple of days of filming.
In the bathroom scene, Playboy Magazine can be spotted next to the toilet. The edition features Kelly LeBrock as the cover-model centerfold. As for the name Lisa, Hughes named the character after the Apple Lisa computer that was popular at the time.
Robert Downey Jr.'s Shenanigans
Robert Downey Jr. (Ian) and his screen-partner Robert Rusler (Max) were known to indulge in several on-set shenanigans while making Weird Science. For instance, their secret handshake before dumping a slushie on Gary (Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchel-Smith) was totally improvised.
A rumor persisted for years after the movie that Downey Jr. and Rusler defecated in Kelly LeBrock's trailer one day. In an interview with Howard Stern, Downey Jr. itted they did so, but in another female cast member's trailer, not LeBrock's. When Hughes found out, he irately questioned everyone. Downey Jr. denied doing it at the time.
Rocket Fuel
For the scene in which a giant rocket plunges through the floor of Wyatt's bedroom and up through the roof of the house was a major logistical nightmare. The shot was incredibly complicated to set up, leaving a little margin of error to get it right.
According to Robert Rusler, Hall farted right before cameras began to roll, causing the entire crew to break up laughing. Rusler estimated a cost of roughly $100,000 for the misgiving. Ultimately, the shot was made by filming in reverse and altering the footage in post-production.
Deleted Scene
A deleted scene from the final cut of the film would have expounded on Max and Ian's fates. Instead of fleeing the bikers to never be seen again, the original idea was to have the sky open up with multicolored clouds that envelop Max and Ian before turning them into a donkey and pig.
Producer Joel Silver convinced Hughes to cut the scene because it might have detracted from a similar storm-transformation later in the film. Images of the actors in the animal costumes and makeup can be found online.
Piano Girl
The nude pianist who gets swept up the chimney at the end of the film was played by Kym Malin, Playboy Centerfold of the October 1982 issue. Malin did her own stunts in the film, which required an elaborate set-up.
For the shot, Malin was attached to a scaffold, hoisted up into the chimney where a large vacuum tore her clothes off. A crane then lifted her out of the chimney and dropped her in the backyard swimming pool. In Malin's Playboy photo spread, a swimming pool was featured prominently in the background.
Chet's Transformation
When Lisa turns Chet (Bill Paxton) into a giant pile of poop at the end of the movie, the puppet was to be operated solely by Paxton himself while inside the suit. However, when he became too claustrophobic to do so, other measures were taken.
Instead of one man operating the suit, Paxton got out and two diminutive actors (Kevin Thompson and Joe Geib) were stuffed into the puppet suit and operated it in tandem. For whatever reason, Paxton never worked with Hughes again.
