Charlie’s Angels is one of the most beloved TV shows of all time. The hit series ran for five seasons from 1976-1981, amassing 110 episodes during that span. Two big-budget film adaptations were made in the noughts, including Charlie’s Angels (2000) and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003).
If you haven’t heard, Elizabeth Banks has fashioned a new version of Charlie’s Angels, which opens this weekend. Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska replace Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu as the titular angels this time around. But before we look forward, let’s take a look back. Here are 10 things you didn’t know about Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.
It Features The Playboy Mansion
Although it’s heavily disguised in the film, one of the most famous American mansions was prominently featured in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. Were you able to spot which one?
During the scene in which the Angels attend a convent, the location takes place at Hugh Hefner’s infamous Playboy Mansion. While it’s redressed to appear as the convent, confirmation of the mansion comes when young boys are seen looking through a Playboy magazine. Further connecting to the series, original Angel Farah Fawcett and secondary Angel Tanya Roberts both appeared in Playboy.
The Madison Lee Storyline Was Adjusted
Did you know that one of the subplots of Full Throttle was originally meant to be a major storyline in a planned Charlie’s Angels part 3?
Indeed, the whole notion of a fallen angel as personified by Madison Lee (Demi Moore) was originally conceived as the core of the third Charlie’s Angels movie. Whether the third film was scrapped due to poor box-office returns or lack of story is hard to guess, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
Also, pay attention to a foreshadowing beach scene in which Madison reveals her evil character by wearing a black bathing-suit opposite Dylan’s white one.
Melissa McCarthy’s Second Cameo
How many of you knew Jenny McCarthy was almost cast as one of Charlie’s Angels? Okay, how many of you knew Jenny’s cousin, Melissa, made cameo appearances in both film versions?
Following her small role as Doris the Red Star receptionist in Charlie’s Angels, McCarthy appeared as a different character altogether in Full Throttle. Look closely in the background when the Angels pose as crime-scene analysts. McCarthy can be spotted behind the Angels. The grand irony? McCarthy’s nearly a bigger star than all of the Angels combined nowadays.
Bruce Willis/Axl Rose Connection
Bruce Willis only agreed to appear in Full Throttle if the three female leads agreed to make a PSA on child adoption, which they gladly honored. But did you know his character’s name is a sly shout-out to a famous rock’n’roll star?!
In the film, Willis plays a character named William Rose Bailey. This is a direct reference to Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose, whose legal name was William Bruce Bailey until the age of 17. Of course, director McG got his start in the film biz by directing several music videos. However, he never directed a Guns N’ Roses video. Go figure.
A David Bowie Nod
In a heartfelt nod to the late great David Bowie, Drew Barrymore paid tribute to one of the rocker’s most infamous alter-egos. Have you ever noticed which one?
During the scene when Dylan (Barrymore) appears as a professional wrestler, her costume and makeup resemble Bowie’s iconic Aladdin Sane character. The shoutout is bolstered by a newly recorded version of Bowie’s classic hit “Rebel Rebel” that was produced specifically for the scene. The song can be heard in the background as Dylan is introduced as a wrestler.
Bon Jovi’s Favor
Personal favors go along way in Hollywood. In the case of Full Throttle, Drew Barrymore made a personal call to Jon Bon Jovi to ask permission to use one of his biggest hit songs in the film.
During a key flashback scene, Barrymore desperately wanted to use Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer.” However, the rights for the song were too expensive for producers to acquire. Undeterred, Barrymore rang Bon Jovi up on the phone and declared her undying love for the song. When she expressed the importance of using the song in the scene, Bon Jovi caved in and gave her the license to do so.
Firestarter Homage
In 1984, Drew Barrymore starred as a nine-year-old with pyrokinesis in the Stephen King horror film Firestarter. Nearly 20 years later, she paid direct homage to the film in Full Throttle.
During the pivotal warehouse tussle with Justin Theroux (pictured), the song heard in the background is The Prodigy’s “Firestarter.” But that fiery connection doesn’t end there. Once the Angels flee the warehouse moments later, Dylan (Barrymore) uses her lighter from the first film to ignite a fire-shooting gas-gun held by Alex (Liu).
Grease Connection
To know Drew Barrymore is to know her undying love of Grease 2 (listen to the Donnie Darko commentary). But did you ever know that the same high-school used in both Grease films is featured in Full Throttle as well?
True story. When Pete (Luke Wilson) mentions attending his high-school reunion in the film, the school’s name is Rydell High. Any Grease super-fan can tell you that is where Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) and Danny (John Travolta) went to high-school in 1978, followed-up by Stephanie (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Johnny (Adrien Zmed) in 1982.
Gun Control
One of the most memorable parts of the original Charlie’s Angels TV series was the expert gunplay by the female leads. All that changed, however, when the show was adapted to the big screen. But do you know why?
The Angels do not use traditional gunfire due to a deliberate decision made by star-producer Drew Barrymore. Barrymore is a staunch advocate of gun control and did not want to condone gun violence by having the main characters glorify such weaponry. The trend started in the first Charlie’s Angels film and continued on through Full Throttle.
Original Angel Cameos
While it’s true only original Angel Jaclyn Smith made the only physical cameo in the film, eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed even more show up in one particular scene!
During the scene when Madison Lee storms out of Townsend’s office, a series of photos hang on the wall behind her. Among the various celebrities are the several original angels, including Tanya Roberts, who joined the series in the final season in 1980. In Bosley’s house (Bernie Mac), a picture of Bill Murray can be spotted on the wall. Murray played Bosley in the previous film.
