From clashing accents to an injured Achilles and a real-life Trojan horse, the 2004 epic Troy had no shortage of drama both on and off the screen. Delve into the captivating behind-the-scenes anecdotes that unveil the trials and triumphs of bringing this ancient Greek tale to life.
Brad Pitt’s Ironic Injury and the Ill-Fated Set
In a twist of fate worthy of the ancient gods, Brad Pitt, who portrayed the legendary Achilles, suffered an Achilles tendon injury towards the end of filming. As if mirroring the mythological curse, a hurricane promptly decimated the Troy set, forcing a three-month delay in production. Fortuitously, this hiatus allowed Pitt to recover in time to film the climactic duel between Achilles and Hector.
The Costly Choreography of Combat
The intense battle sequences between Pitt’s Achilles and Eric Bana’s Hector were more than just choreographed fights. Rumour has it that the two actors struck a deal: a weak blow cost $50, while a strong one commanded a hefty $100 fee. By the end of filming, Pitt found himself $750 out of pocket – a small price to pay for cinematic authenticity.
The Reluctant Reveal of Helen’s Face
Director Wolfgang Petersen initially resisted unveiling Helen’s face, intent on preserving the mystique surrounding the “face that launched a thousand ships.” However, the producers and studio executives insisted on casting a flesh-and-blood actress. Enter the then-unknown German actress Diane Kruger, who not only embodied Helen on screen but also lent her voice to the German dubbing.
Petersen’s Penance for Passing on Gladiator
Petersen’s decision to helm Troy was partly fueled by his regret over declining the opportunity to direct Gladiator in the late 1990s. Having missed out on that ancient historical epic, he seized the chance to immerse himself in the genre once more, determined to craft a cinematic masterpiece worthy of the Trojan War legend.
The Unlikely Villain: A Powerlifter Turned Actor
Sharp-eyed viewers may have recognised a familiar face among the Trojan ranks: Nathan Jones, the Australian former powerlifter and wrestler, brought his imposing physique to the role of Boagrius. Fans of Mad Max: Fury Road will instantly recognise Jones as the formidable Rictus Erectus, lending an air of menace to both cinematic worlds.
The Accents of Ancient Greece
One of the most criticised aspects of Troy was the cacophony of English accents heard throughout the film. From Brad Pitt’s American twang to Eric Bana’s Australian inflections, Orlando Bloom’s British tones, and Brendan Gleeson’s Irish lilt, the accents clashed as fiercely as the combatants on the battlefield. A true historical and linguistic comic book, as one reviewer aptly described it.
The Painful Price of Authenticity
In pursuit of historical accuracy, the male leads were required to undergo an arduous process: the removal of all body hair from their torsos. While this may seem like a minor inconvenience, Eric Bana reportedly found the experience particularly agonising, adding an unexpected dimension to the already gruelling physical demands of the role.
The Trojan War of the Extras
The paramilitary extras hailed from diverse backgrounds, with 500 Mexicans and 300 Bulgarians enlisted to portray the warring factions. However, tensions soon mounted when the Bulgarian contingent learned of a wage disparity favouring their Mexican counterparts. This escalated into a full-blown altercation, necessitating the intervention of local Mexican police in the resort town of Cabo San Lucas, where filming took place.
Anachronistic Llamas in Ancient Troy
In a delightful anachronism, the central square of Troy played host to an unexpected sight: South American llamas ambling through the ancient city streets. A charming, if historically inaccurate, addition to the 1200 BC setting.
The Linguistic Minefield of “Troia”
For the Italian audience, the film’s title retained its English form, “Troy,” rather than the Italian translation “Troia.” This deliberate choice stemmed from the latter’s unfortunate association with a derogatory slang term meaning “prostitute” in the Italian language. Ironically, in American English, the word “Trojan” has become eponymous with “condom.”
The Globetrotting Trojan Horse
The iconic Trojan horse prop embarked on a worldwide journey that rivalled the adventures of Odysseus himself. Filmed in Malta and Mexico, the horse made appearances in Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz for the European premiere and even visited Tokyo. This odyssey was part of an ingenious marketing campaign for both the film and Lufthansa’s cargo division. Finally, the horse found its rightful resting place in the Turkish city of Canakkale, just 30 kilometres from the purported site of historical Troy.
Brad Pitt’s Disenchantment with Troy
Despite his production company, Plan B, backing the film, Brad Pitt harboured mixed feelings about Troy. In one interview, he lamented the lack of character depth and mystery, qualities he had come to expect from his collaborations with director David Fincher. Moreover, Pitt endured a gruelling six-month training regimen to achieve Achilles’ physique, even quitting smoking in preparation for the role.
The Walls that Couldn’t Withstand Hercules
In a pivotal council scene, a Trojan commander boasts that “no one could overcome these walls.” However, this claim conveniently overlooks a significant historical detail: decades before the Trojan War, the city was sacked by an army led by none other than Hercules himself, who destroyed the walls and slew King Laomedon, placing Priam on the throne.
The Wartime Relocation of Troy
Initially slated for filming in Morocco, the production was forced to relocate due to the onset of the Iraq War and the looming threat of Al-Qaeda. Safety concerns prompted the decision to move the shoot to a more secure location, ensuring the cast and crew could focus on bringing ancient Troy to life without modern-day perils.
The Composer Conundrum
The official trailer for Troy listed Gabriel Yared as the film’s composer, but his score was deemed “overwhelming” and “aging the film” during test screenings. With mere weeks until the premiere, the daunting task of composing an entirely new score fell to James Horner. Yared, deeply aggrieved, proclaimed his work on Troy to be the finest of his career and denounced director Wolfgang Petersen as a “traitor.”
The Symbolic Significance of Nine Challenges
In a nod to Homer’s Iliad, Achilles calls out Hector to battle a total of nine times. This number holds significance, as the epic poem describes Achilles chasing a terrified Hector around the walls of Troy three times – a circle thrice repeated, culminating in nine orbits.
The Game of Thrones Connection
Intriguingly, the screenwriter responsible for bringing the Trojan War to the big screen is none other than David Benioff, the creator and showrunner of the acclaimed HBO series Game of Thrones. Fans of both epic tales can revel in the interconnected narratives, each offering a unique exploration of power, conflict, and the enduring human condition.
From Brad Pitt’s ironic injury to the accidental additions of llamas and the behind-the-scenes battles among extras, the making of Troy was a epic journey unto itself. These captivating tales offer a rare glimpse into the triumphs and challenges of translating one of history’s greatest stories to the silver screen.
