21 things you probably didn't know about '10 Things I Hate About You'

Christina DambrosioSep 1, 2020, 18:55 IST

Heath Ledger starred as Patrick Verona in "10 Things I Hate About You."Buena Vista Pictures

The 1999 teen rom-com "10 Things I Hate About You" is still delighting audiences more than 20 years after its release.
The film launched the careers of megastars like Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Gabrielle Union, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
The plot was inspired by Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," and it was written by the same screenwriters who did "Legally Blonde."
Other actors were considered for the leading roles in the film, including Eliza Dushku, Katie Holmes, and Kate Hudson.

Since its release in 1999, the teen romantic comedy "10 Things I Hate About You" has continued to resonate with audiences.

From its Shakespearean roots to the A-list celebrities who were considered for the leads, read on for some things you might not know about "10 Things I Hate About You."

The film is based on a classic Shakespearean play.

"10 Things I Hate About You" is based on the play "The Taming of the Shrew" Buena Vista Pictures

And many names in the movie are based on Shakespeare and his works.

There are several references to Shakespeare throughout the film. Buena Vista Pictures

The movie helped launch the careers of its young stars.

Gabrielle Union, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Larisa Oleynik in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures/screencap

The film premiered just months before "The West Wing" made Allison Janney a household name.

Allison Janney in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures

According to the film's casting director, quite a few famous actors were considered for leading roles.

Kate Hudson, Josh Hartnett, and Katie Holmes could have been in "10 Things I Hate About You." Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images; Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Casting the perfect male lead was a challenge for director Gil Junger.

Heath Ledger in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures

Stiles said she was "desperate" to land the role of Kat Stratford.

Julia Stiles in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures

But Stiles later compared seeing herself in "10 Things I Hate About You" to watching a "slightly uncomfortable" home video.

Julia Stiles in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures

The film's writers were inspired by "Clueless," and they went on to pen several hit rom-coms.

The writers also worked on "Legally Blonde." Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Ledger thought he tanked his audition.

Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures

Union is almost a decade older than most of her costars.

Gabrielle Union and Larisa Oleynik in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures

Gordon-Levitt said he wasn't interested in doing the film at first, but that he ended up having a blast on set.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures

Gordon-Levitt auditioned for Michael and Cameron, and he wasn't very excited about his role at first.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and David Krumholtz in "10 Things I Hate About You." Touchstone Pictures

Union said when she first met Ledger she thought he was "such a man."

Gabrielle Union in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures

Ledger had a specific vision in mind for Patrick's musical number.

Heath Ledger in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures

The movie was shot at a real high school in Tacoma, Washington.

"10 Things I Hate About You" was shot at Stadium High School. Buena Vista Pictures

Stiles' tears in her emotional poem-reading scene were unintentional — and only took one take.

Julia Stiles in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures

The real-life band Letters to Cleo made several appearances in the film.

Kay Hanley is the lead singer of Letters to Cleo. Buena Vista Pictures

The crew apparently didn't have permission from Disney to shoot the final scene.

The final scene of the movie zooms in on a band performing on top of the high school. Buena Vista Pictures

The movie was adapted into an ABC Family show in 2009.

Lindsey Shaw as Kat on "10 Things I Hate About You." ABC Family

The movie became an advertisement for some of the best date spots in Seattle.

Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures

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21 things you probably didn't know about '10 Things I Hate About You'

The film is based on a classic Shakespearean play.

And many names in the movie are based on Shakespeare and his works.

The movie helped launch the careers of its young stars.

The film premiered just months before "The West Wing" made Allison Janney a household name.

According to the film's casting director, quite a few famous actors were considered for leading roles.

Casting the perfect male lead was a challenge for director Gil Junger.

Stiles said she was "desperate" to land the role of Kat Stratford.

But Stiles later compared seeing herself in "10 Things I Hate About You" to watching a "slightly uncomfortable" home video.

The film's writers were inspired by "Clueless," and they went on to pen several hit rom-coms.

Ledger thought he tanked his audition.

Union is almost a decade older than most of her costars.

Gordon-Levitt said he wasn't interested in doing the film at first, but that he ended up having a blast on set.

Gordon-Levitt auditioned for Michael and Cameron, and he wasn't very excited about his role at first.

Union said when she first met Ledger she thought he was "such a man."

Ledger had a specific vision in mind for Patrick's musical number.

The movie was shot at a real high school in Tacoma, Washington.

Stiles' tears in her emotional poem-reading scene were unintentional — and only took one take.

The real-life band Letters to Cleo made several appearances in the film.

The crew apparently didn't have permission from Disney to shoot the final scene.

The movie was adapted into an ABC Family show in 2009.

The movie became an advertisement for some of the best date spots in Seattle.