It’s a movie that’s so bad it’s good, let’s talk about the 1986 film SpaceCamp. Though most of the cast went on to become quite famous, they were relative unknowns at the time. Read on to learn more fun facts about the cult classic.
#1 – The Cast Went On To Become Stars
Though Kate Capshaw had been the female lead in 1984′s Raiders of the Lost Ark, she wasn’t really a star. Side note: she met her future husband Steven Spielberg on that film. And while Lea Thompson had just finished shooting Back to the Future, it has not yet been released. The most famous face was that of Tom Skerritt, who played a veteran astronaut, camp director and Capshaw’s husband.
Kelly Preston and Tate Donovan were newcomers, although both would go on to work on much bigger productions. Their dating lives also became the talk of the town. Following high profile relationships with George Clooney and Charlie Sheen, Preston later married John Travolta. Meanwhile, Donovan dated Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Aniston.
Here’s another fun fact: Tate Donovan lives right here in Austin, Texas.
See who else calls ATX home here.
#2 – Introducing Leaf Phoenix
The role of Max was portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix in his first major feature film role. Phoenix was credited as “Leaf” early in his career because he wanted a nature themed name to match his siblings. As you may or may not already know, their names are: River, Rain, Liberty and Summer.
#3 – The Cast Received Real NASA Training
The actors went through actual astronaut training, including underwater simulations, to prepare for their roles. Additionally, the interior of the Atlantis shuttle was filmed in the actual simulator at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. The life-sized space-shuttle flight-deck and mid-deck built for the film were donated to the camp and used as a simulator there from until 2012.
#4 – It Had An Epic Score
Did you know the score was composed by the legendary John Williams? Yes, THAT John Williams. The same guy who composed the score for the Star Wars saga, Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, Home Alone, Harry Potter and more!
The soundtrack is pretty good as well. It features two songs by Dire Straits and Eric Clapton’s “Forever Man.”
#5 – The Release Date Had To Be Pushed
The movie was scheduled for release in 1986, but it was pushed back following the tragic Challenger explosion on January 28, 1986. Despite the delay, it was a major box office bomb as viewers thought the plot was insensitive and poorly timed. However, the movie did significantly boost the popularity of the real Space Camp program, with attendance doubling after its release.
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