Things You Never Knew About Tim Burton’s Alice

Exploring Tim Burton’s Wonderland

By combining his renowned gothic aesthetic with the strange Wonderland setting, Tim Burton’s 2010 Alice in Wonderland boldly reimagined Lewis Carroll’s classic. The film was different from the first one since it had a more complex plot, and Alice took on the task of fighting the Jabberwocky.

Let’s explore a few intriguing facts behind the production of this visually stunning and financially successful movie.

Anne Hathaway Almost Played Alice

When Disney was first developing the live-action version of Alice in Wonderland, Anne Hathaway was initially selected to play Alice’s title role. Hathaway declined the role because she wasn’t ready to play a princess again after her time as a Princess Diaries star.

She indicated interest in playing the White Queen. She thought she would feel more comfortable in this role.

Two Characters Combined Into One

Two Lewis Carroll characters are cleverly combined in Helena Bonham Carter’s Red Queen.

The Queen of Hearts, famous for playing croquet and singing “Off with her head!” from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, is paired with the Red Queen from Through the Looking-Glass, a live chess piece that faces the White Queen.

In the Disney adaptation, the main enemy is the Queen of Hearts. Her name, Iracebeth, is a creative way to convey her fiery passion. It comes from the term “irascible.”

Michael Sheen’s Unexpected Role Swap

When Michael Sheen was initially cast as the voice of the Cheshire Cat, bringing his signature charm to the role. However, he was unable to assume the post as scheduled because of scheduling issues.

Instead of abandoning the project completely, he continued to work on it and was chosen to be the White Rabbit’s voice.

In the end, Stephen Fry took over as the voice of the Cheshire Cat, and his portrayal of the character’s cunning and mystique was flawless.

Actors Struggling with Green Screens

Tim Burton came up with a clever solution and had lavender-tinted lenses put into his glasses to oppose the harsh impacts of the excessive amounts of green screen utilized during filming.

He was able to negotiate the visually demanding set thanks to this, but the performers and crew weren’t as lucky. Many people felt nauseous and uncomfortable during the production since they had no way to block out the intense green look that surrounded them.

A Concept Album

The fact that Danny Elfman wrote the music for Alice in Wonderland is hardly shocking, considering his lengthy association with Tim Burton.

On the same day that Elfman’s trademark orchestral sound was launched, Disney also released a concept album called Almost Alice. With the tune “Alice,” Avril Lavigne led the charge among the artists on the album.

Tim Burton’s Greatest Success

Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland received positive reviews from viewers. The cinemas were crowded with people. Even though it cost $200 million to produce, the film did better than anticipated.

Over $1 billion was earned worldwide. Although it did not please critics, it became Burton’s highest-grossing movie.

The Loopy Timeline

Since the book was initially published in 1865, Atwood deliberately chose to base the clothing in Alice in Wonderland on the 1860s.

However, one could anticipate that the outfits would represent the 1870s instead since Burton’s Wonderland is a sequel that takes place years after the original plot.

To create a visual harmony between the two versions of the story, the film’s timeline might have been moved a little earlier to fit the 1860s look.

Realism in Wonderland World

Atwood decided to give Alice and the Mad Hatter’s clothes a more realistic vibe than the rest of the movie in an attempt to make them more sympathetic.

But since realism isn’t usually a defining feature of Tim Burton’s movies in general or Alice in Wonderland adaptations in particular, this choice stands out.

Since Atwood’s design for Alice was especially intended to capture her free-spirited personality, the character’s attire steers clear of the typical constricting elements found in period attire, such as corsets and hoop skirts. This decision highlights her independence and spirit of adventure.

A Big Head For Red Queen

The Red Queen’s enormous head in Tim Burton’s film might have been influenced by the Duchess’s ridiculously huge head in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Colleen Atwood, the costume designer, contributed to the illusion by creating a collar that made Helena Bonham Carter’s head appear abnormally enormous, even though Disney’s special effects did most of the job.

Won Two Oscars

The film received nominations for Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction, and Best Visual Effects. When it won Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design, it was finally acknowledged for its exceptional design and imagination.

These honors serve as an affirmation of the film’s extraordinary attention to detail and creative execution in bringing Wonderland’s fantastical setting to life.

The Making of Depp’s Mad Hatter

When it comes to developing quirky personas, Johnny Depp is masterful at going all out. Depp found inspiration for the Mad Hatter’s unpredictable actions in the character’s flexibility, and the character’s vivid orange hair represents the mercury poisoning brought on by his job as a hat maker.

He added even more depth to his interpretation of the Hatter by drawing inspiration for his voice from Lewis Carroll and a Scottish figure named Rab C. Nesbitt.

Influences Behind The White Queen

Anne Hathaway called her role as the White Queen, a “punk-rock vegan pacifist,” citing the influence of iconic characters such as actress Greta Garbo and Blondie’s Debbie Harry.

The White Queen’s appearance, however, was inspired by British television personality Nigella Lawson, according to director Tim Burton.

This blend of influences created a distinctive character that balanced edgy rebellion with grace and charm.

The Caterpillar

The caterpillar, Absolem, is the leader of the “resistance” in Alice in Wonderland.

The character was initially meant to resemble Alan Rickman, but in the end, his face was entirely CGI. However, the animators still incorporated some of Rickman’s features. The role’s distinctive voice was delivered by Rickman.

Tim Burton Giving His All

Tim Burton took a bold step in Alice in Wonderland by embracing green screen technology to bring the fantastical world and characters to life.

This was his first time using such a technique in one of his films, and he fully committed to it, with around ninety percent of the movie reportedly being filmed with green screens.

If you love spotting hidden details in films, then you’ll also enjoy these 15 mind-blowing easter eggs in Toy Story.

Inspiration For Disney’s Live-Action Adaptations

Disney’s journey of live-action remakes began with Alice in Wonderland and continues to this day.

Disney’s popularity led to the release of live-action adaptations of beloved films, including The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Maleficent, with more in the works. Even the idea of making Burton’s Alice a Broadway production was discussed, but it was never implemented.

If you enjoy behind-the-scenes movie trivia, you might also find these 15 surprising facts about Home Alone interesting.

Read More From This Brand:

15 Hidden Disney Movie Easter Eggs You Missed

Harry Potter Easter Eggs to Watch For Next Time

15 Unsolved Mysteries in the Harry Potter World

Don’t forget to follow us for more exclusive content right here on MSN.

If you liked this story, you’ll LOVE our FREE emails. Join today and be the first to get stories like this one.