When it comes to classic Black films, there’s no doubt that a handful of us can quote the ad-libs, sing all the songs and remember exactly where we were the first time we saw them. But even the biggest movie cinephiles among us might be surprised to find out a handful of little-known facts about some of our favorite films.
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From unexpected castings, real-life romances and too-crazy-to- be-true tidbits–the stories behind our beloved films are almost as good as the movies themselves. And with “Belly’s” Taral Hicks’ latest admission (more on that later) making waves on social media, we thought it’d be fitting to round up some fun secrets from classic and iconic Black films that you may not have heard about.
We’re talking “Malcolm X,” “Get Out,” “The Best Man” and a whole bunch of other good projects in between. So kick off your shoes, relax your feet and prepare to be shocked!
Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan Were Dating IRL While Filming “Love & Basketball”
In 2015, “Love & Basketball” dirctor Gina Prince-Bythewood revealed that the stars of her film — Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan — were dating in real life, prior to them both being hired for the film. If she had known prior, she wasn’t so sure that they both would’ve been cast.
“I think if I had known, I don’t know if I would have taken that risk,” Prince-Bythewood told Buzzfeed at the time. “When people are dating or married, a lot of times they don’t have chemistry on screen. What if they break up midway through shooting? But they were hot. There was this sweetness between them. And I just wanted to watch them.”
Janet Jackson’s Team Allegedly Asked Tupac Get an HIV Test Before Kissing Her in “Poetic Justice”
Speaking in an interview on the “Drink Champs” podcast, rapper Q-Tip, who also starred in Poetic Justice with Jackson and Tupac, shared that the “All Eyez On Me” rapper revealed that Jackson’s team asked him to take an HIV test before filming any kissing scenes.
“Me and the n****s was talking about it in his trailer. And he was like, ‘Don’t you know, they asked me to take a muthaf***in! AIDS test!,” Tip said in 2017. “N***a was hot. He was hot. I was like, ‘Word?’ He was like, ‘I could see if I was f***in’ the b***h, then I’d understand. But the scene ain’t none of [that.]’ That’s how the n***a was.”
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff Almost Starred in “House Party”
In June 2023, for an interview with the “Hip Hop Confessions” podcast, “House Party” star spoke how the main roles for the popular film were originally pitched to Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff. But because the two artists had previously been embroiled in a lawsuit with New Line Cinema — the same company that produced the film — over a music video that they’d done prior, they wanted no parts of the movie.
Taral Hicks’ Body Double Filmed Famous Sex Scene With DMX in “Belly,” Not Her
Speaking in a recent interview with The Kulture podcast, Hicks explained that the infamous scene in “Belly” didn’t involve her at all and that a body double was the one actually shooting with her co-star DMX.
Jamie Foxx Glued His Real Eyes Shut While Filming Ray Charles Biopic
During an interview on the “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2004, Jamie Foxx revealed his makeup artists gave him prosthetic eyelids that he had glued shut for “12 to 14 hours” while filming in order to portray legendary (blind) artist Ray Charles in his eponymous movie.
Nia Long Improved The Slap Scene With Taye Diggs in “The Best Man”
In a conversation with Scott Evans for his “House Guest” series, Taye Diggs revealed that the famous slap scene between he and his costar Nia Long in the popular 1990s film “The Best Man” was actually unscripted.
“I was so offended in the moment, so offended. Because not only did she not rehearse it…she put hands on me! And I thought like, and nobody said anything and I was like ‘Oh my God. Are we gonna keep going?’ I guess we’ll talk afterwards then.”
Denzel Washington’s Iconic Single Tear in “Glory” Was Real, Not Improv
In September 2024, Washington revealed to Variety that his iconic single tear in “Glory” didn’t happen because he improved it, it happened because he was in actual pain.
“I teared because the whip was wet and it actually hurt. It was a real tear. That’s a true story. It was felt, and if you go back and look, they kept wetting everything down, and the felt was wet,” he said. “And it was hitting me in the back, and it hurt… I don’t even know [how many takes we did], or how he cut it to be honest with you. He cut back and forth so many times, there’s no telling what takes it is. All I know, it hurt. I wasn’t crying but it was a real tear.”
Beyonce Lost 20 Pounds for “Dreamgirls” But Pigged Out Directly After Filming
Beyonce’s slimmed down figure in the 2006 film “Dreamgirls” was an intentional look as she revealed that she dropped 20 pounds to mark the transition from the younger version of her role to the adult version.
“It was my idea. At the beginning of filming, I was my normal weight. I actually gained a little bit, but then I lost 9 kilograms when I went from young Deena to old Deena,” she said at the time during a press conference for the film at Cannes Film Festival. “I wanted it to be something more than just make-up and hair. I wanted to see the change.”
She later told Sky Showbiz: “It was hard, I felt weak, but I did it. It wasn’t healthy though. I didn’t look like me at all in the film, which was the point.”
However, once filming was over, Bey allegedly “ate fried chicken, fried fish, French fries — anything fried — and the weight started to come on really fast and easy.”
Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” Was Originally Going to End On A Much More Negative Note
In conversation for Buzzfeed’s Another Round podcast in 2017, Jordan Peele revealed that the initial ending for “Get Out” didn’t see Daniel Kaluuya’s character escape with his life. In fact, it was going to be a whole lot darker with Kaluuya’s character Chris getting arrested for killing his white girlfriend and her family. But, ultimately, Peele had a change of heart.
“It was very clear that the ending needed to transform into something that gives us a hero, that gives us an escape, gives us a positive feeling when we leave this movie,” he explained. “There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing the audience go crazy when Rod shows up.”
Whitney Houston Almost Starred in “The Five Heartbeats”
In the 2018 documentary “Making the Five Heartbeats,” director Robert Townsend revealed that he approached Whitney Houston for a role in the musical film. While he thought he was winning her over, Houston ultimately passed on the role and went to film “The Bodyguard” instead. The reason…? Houston’s agent said the role was “too small.”
“I went in and pitched my heart out,” Townsend said per Billboard. “She was trying to cut her teeth as an actress, and I was like, ‘You get to sing AND act.’ I pitched that she could get nominated for an Oscar for a song, if she’d sing, plus a Grammy. She’s looking like she’s going to do the movie, her father’s looking like it’s gonna be the greatest thing since sliced bread for her. Then the next thing you know the agent says the role is too small. It was a whole little journey with her.”
Whoopi Goldberg Wasn’t The First Choice for “Sister Act”
In the early part of her career, Whoopi Goldberg deliberately went after roles that other, bigger stars passed up on. And that’s exactly how she landed the role of Sister Mary Clarence in “Sister Act,” thanks to Bette Midler turning it down.
Eddie Murphy Almost Played “Malcom X” Before Denzel Washington Was Cast
In AppleTV+’s new documentary “Number One on the Call Sheet,” the comedian revealed that he was offered the role of famed civil rights leader Malcolm X for his biopic directed by Spike Lee. However, thanks to the advice (if you want to call it that) of a fellow acting legend — namely Sidney Poitier — Murphy ended up turning the opportunity down.
“Sidney Poitier said ‘you are not Denzel and you are not Morgan[ Freeman]. You are a breath of fresh air. And don’t f**k with that,’” Murphy explained.
The Dora Milaje in “Black Panther” Were Inspired by Real Life Women Fighters
While it was inspiring to see an all-women army in “Black Panther,” what’s even more dope is that their characters were inspired by real-life real-life Agojie, an all-female army in Dahomey (now Benin) known as the “Dahomey Amazons.” The Dahomey Amazons were also the center of the 2022 film, “The Woman King,” starring Viola Davis.
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