16 things you probably didn't know about 'Holes'

Marilyn La JeunesseSep 15, 2020, 00:54 IST

The crew used bearded dragons in place of the fictional yellow-spotted lizards.Disney

Disney's "Holes" premiered 17 years ago, but fans still probably haven't heard all of these behind-the-scenes secrets about the film.
"Holes" is based on a novel by Louis Sachar, and the author also wrote the screenplay for the movie.
Shia LaBeouf was cast for his "quirky" look, and he's said he thinks the movie is just "OK."
The crew actually had to dig about 400 holes on the set, and the filmmakers made it look like 10,000 for certain scenes.

"Holes" (2003) is based on the award-winning 1998 novel by Louis Sachar and starred celebrities like Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Eartha Kitt, Henry Winkler, and Patricia Arquette.

We dug into the beloved Disney film to uncover interesting tidbits about its production and star-studded cast that even the biggest fans may have missed over the years.

Read on for some behind-the-scenes secrets and fun facts about "Holes."

Shia LaBeouf thinks the film is just "OK."

Shia LaBeouf said he wasn't exactly proud of the film. Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP/Getty Images

Khleo Thomas filmed an entire scene with a horrible heat rash.

Max Kasch and Khleo Thomas in "Holes." Disney

Several big-name actors auditioned to play Zero.

Khleo Thomas beat out several other actors for the role of Zero. Disney

Yellow-spotted lizards — as they're depicted in the film — don't actually exist.

The scary-looking reptiles aren't real. Disney

You can make Kissin' Kate Barlow's famed peaches at home.

Dulé Hill and Patricia Arquette in "Holes." Disney

The young cast members sing the famed "Dig It" credit song, and they also helped to write the lyrics.

The young cast of "Holes" wrote and performed "Dig It." Disney

Louis Sachar said that the depressingly hot summers in Texas inspired him to write the source novel.

Louis Sachar, who wrote "Holes," moved to Texas as an adult. Disney

Sachar had a lot of input during the film's production.

The director encouraged Louis Sachar to be the film's screenwriter. Disney

Sachar and Davis used index cards to plan out the film.

The director and author broke the novel down into over 100 film scenes. Disney

Thomas said that he'd like to do a "Holes" sequel.

Khleo Thomas starred as Zero in "Holes." Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

LaBeouf was cast for his "quirky" look.

Shia LaBeouf as Stanley in "Holes." Disney

Although the movie was set in Texas, it was filmed in California.

"Holes" takes place in Texas. Disney

The production crew dug about 400 holes throughout filming.

They made it look like thousands of holes on the screen though. Disney

Disney didn't reveal what the film was really about in its original trailer.

The "Holes" trailer left a lot to the audience's imagination. Disney

LaBeouf once watched "Holes" with fans in a New York City theater.

Shia LaBeouf in "Holes." Disney

The actors had to complete physical training before filming could begin.

The cast had to prepare to work in the hot temperatures before filming. Disney

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