Man on the Moon

Man on the Moon (1999)

Timing: 1:58 (118 min)

7.257/10
1707

7.625/10
39092

7.4/10
143000

All about film

Video 1

Photo 19

Actors and characters

Release date

1999-12-22

Country

Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, United States

Production

Universal Pictures, Mutual Film Company, Jersey Films, TOHO-TOWA, Marubeni, Tele München, Cinehaus, West-Shapiro

Genre

Comedy, Drama

Budget

$82 000 000

Revenue

$47 434 430

Website

http://www.universalpictures.com/manonthemoon/

Director

Miloš Forman

Actors

Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Courtney Love, Paul Giamatti, Vincent Schiavelli, Peter Bonerz, Jerry Lawler, Gerry Becker, Leslie Lyles, Greyson Erik Pendry
All actors and roles (10)

Scenario

Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski

Producer

Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, Michael Hausman, George Shapiro, Howard West

Operator

Anastas N. Michos

Composer

Michael Stipe

Artist

Audition

Francine Maisler

Editing

Lynzee Klingman, Christopher Tellefsen, Adam Boome
All team (75)

• When Miloš Forman decided to film "Man on the Moon" (1999), many Hollywood stars – Sean Penn, Edward Norton, Kevin Spacey, and even Nicolas Cage – were contenders for the lead role. But when Forman watched Jim Carrey's audition, he immediately decided that no one but Carrey could play Andy Kaufman – the strangest American comedic genius.
• When it became known that Carrey would play the main role, most of Kaufman's fans were vehemently opposed. Michael Stipe, the vocalist of R.E.M. and one of Kaufman's most ardent fans, even called Forman and tried to convince him that Carrey would never be able to transform into Kaufman and shed his "Carreyness." But Americans who saw the performances of the real Andy Kaufman claim that Carrey accomplished the impossible and practically completely transformed into Andy in the film.
• For many months, Carrey interviewed everyone who knew Kaufman personally, studied recordings of the late comedian, and, gradually transforming into his character, by the start of filming seemed to actually become Kaufman. On set, Carrey asked to be called Andy, not Jim; even Forman himself was obliged to follow this rule throughout the 87 days of filming.
• Jim Carrey was born on the same day as Andy Kaufman – January 17th, but 13 years later.
• When Andy Kaufman’s legendary congas (African drums) were sold at auction, they were bought by Jim Carrey.
• Kaufman himself couldn't appear in the film, but the real George Shapiro – Kaufman’s agent and friend – did. He played the owner of a small bar, kicking Andy out of his establishment at the very beginning of Andy’s acting career. And George Shapiro himself was played by Danny DeVito, who worked with Kaufman on the series “Taxi” (1978-1983).