When I was growing up, 80’s actor Fred Savage was one of the biggest child stars around. With films such as, ‘The Princess Bride,’‘The Wizard,’ and of course ‘The Wonder Years,’ a television series which ran from 1988-1993. All of these projects made Savage one of the most recognized faces in Hollywood. Yet, after all these years, my all-time favorite is ‘Little Monsters.’
‘Little Monsters,’ hit theaters in 1989. And has grossed more than $790 mill (USD) worldwide. It tells the story of Brian Stevenson (Fred Savage) who finds out, there is a world of monsters living underneath his bed. He in turn, befriends one of the monsters named Maurice, played by Howie Mandel. Throughout the film, the pair become best friends and embark on a journey to save Brian’s kidnapped little brother Eric, played by Ben Savage.
GameSpot recently reported on some blu-ray extras where the America’s Got Talent judge Howie Mandel talks about his experience on set.
“Physically, it almost killed me. And I wouldn’t have done that. It’s not good to spend a summer in the Carolinas wrapped in latex.”
Mandel says he enjoyed the cast and crew but he probably wouldn’t have taken the role if he knew exactly what it entailed.
“Do not try this at home. Don’t wrap yourself. I mean it’s a wonderful–Maurice is a wonderful character. It was a fun time; everybody was great. And there were funny scenes, but I was wrapped in latex. Do you know what humidity and latex does? After I did that movie. I wouldn’t even put a condom on. I was so anti-latex. I know that doesn’t sound safe, but I was married and happy but I would not, I don’t even want to say the word latex anymore. But now I feel like I wouldn’t do that again.”
Mandel says, till this day, he has a hard time with the word latex. One could only imagine, as Mandel has been very open about his OCD (Obsessive–compulsive disorder) and ADHD(Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.) On set, Mandel was required to spend long hours in a makeup chair with people touching and applying prosthetics all over him. This had to have been very difficult for a person with the above mentioned disorders.
“I don’t have a GED because I can’t sit in class. I can’t sit. But you have to sit. Not only was it four hours of sitting, but four hours of–I don’t want to be touched. And four hours of [being touched], I thought I was going to snap. And once I was finished, I had to be this happy and joyful Maurice. I really wasn’t that happy and joyful. I didn’t know what I had gotten myself into. They cut like, ‘Oh my god. I’m gonna die.’ At night, it’s an hour to get it off; it was glued on me and my skin.”
Howie mentioned he would be open to playing Maurice again. Considering the modern advancements in cinema technology since 1989, production could possibly remove some of the tediousness from the process of applying prosthetics. It would definitely be fun to see FredSavage, Howie Mandel and others return to the big screen for a sequel to the 80’s comedy.
What do you think, would you like to see ‘Little Monsters’ return for a sequel?
Brandon started Coastal House Media, formerly, BCactionMR.com in 2012, with the intent of publishing news he found exciting about upcoming and current events in the world of comic book, action and sci-fi movies. A year later, "BC" became a Verified Creator (Paid Writer) for Movie Pilot, a large fan site, dedicated to all things pop culture. [2013-2018] After Movie Pilot closed its doors, Brandon decided he wanted to give others the opportunity to continue writing and sharing their passion and excitement for entertainment news. We now have evolved into an ever-growing community of bloggers, writers and gamers who love to share our opinions with the world. We cover everything from pop culture, indie, horror, movies, gaming and streaming, to the most recent film trailers to hit the internet. Coastal House Media is dedicated to J.S.W. Thank you for planting the seed all those years ago. RIP Brother
A24 is coming off a major Oscars coup with its Best Picture-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, but now, they’re headed for a major ensemble comedy film from the lens of Saturday Night Live‘s own Kyle Mooney. Per Deadline, it appears that Mooney will direct the disaster film titled Y2K which comes from a script from Evan Winter.
The movie boasts a major ensemble that includes the following: Jaeden Martell (It), Rachel Zegler (West Side Story), Mason Gooding (Scream VI), Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), Lachlan Watson (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Tim Heidecker (Us), Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus), music artist The Kid Laroi and Alicia Silverstone (Clueless). The film is set on NYE 1999, where two High School loners (Martell and Dennison) decide to crash a big party before the end of the millennium, however, when the clock strikes midnight, it becomes a disaster unlike anything they could have ever imagined.
A24 will back the pic that also features Jonah Hill and The Bear creator Christopher Storer amongst its behind-the-scenes producing partners. With such a major ensemble, it seems like it could be a mixture of This Is the End with touches of Hill’s directorial debut, Mid90s within the 90s-set disaster comedy.
A24 ‘Y2k’ Cast
Martell is probably the most recognizable actor amongst the ensemble having starred in the It films as the younger version of Bill Denbrough. He also has appeared in recent years in films such as Knives Out, St. Vincent and Netflix’s Mr. Harrigan’s Phone. He’s also the titular character in Apple’s series, Defending Jacob and is set to lead the upcoming reboot of The Lost Boys alongside Noah Jupe and Charlene Amoia.
Zegler is best known for her debut role as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story in 2021. Her star power continues to rise as she’s already joined DC’s superhero universe for Shazam! Fury of the Gods which is currently in theaters. She’ll also play Snow White in Disney’s 2024 live-action remake of the iconic animated film and lead the upcoming prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes alongside Hunter Schafer, Tom Blyth, Peter Dinklage and Viola Davis.
Dennison first came on the scene when he starred in Taika Waititi’s indie dramedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople with Sam Neill. He followed that up with a major role in Deadpool 2 and then later joined the cast of Godzilla vs. Kong in 2021. Gooding is one of the starring members of the ensemble in Scream VI, which is currently in theaters. Hechinger starred in the first season of The White Lotus as the son of Connie Britton and Steve Zahn and will next appear in Kraven the Hunter. Additionally, the older cast members in Silverstone and Heidecker are best known for roles in Clueless and Jordan Peele’s Us respectively.
Lawrence’s character portrays the “ne’er-do-well” who answers a Craigslist ad that was placed to hire a date for an introverted and socially awkward teen boy, by his mother and father, who also just so happens to be preparing for college soon.
Jennifer Lawrence, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Natalie Morales
Plot Summary:
Lawrence’s character portrays the “ne’er-do-well” who answers a Craigslist ad that was placed to hire a date for an introverted and socially awkward teen boy, by his mother and father, who also just so happens to be preparing for college soon.