'Holes' stars and creators share 26 little-known facts even die-hard fans may not know about the film

Fiona ClairApr 13, 2023, 19:17 IST

The cast and crew of "Holes" shared memories of the film 20 years after it premiered.Courtesy of Andrew Davis/Chicago Pacific Entertainment

Insider spoke with the writer, creators, and stars of "Holes" 20 years after the film premiered.
Louis Sachar almost didn't write the screenplay, and there were other stars up for leading roles.

Andrew Davis said he wasn't the only director vying for the rights to "Holes."

Rob Reiner may have wanted to turn "Holes" into a movie.Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Sachar almost didn't write the screenplay.

Andrew Davis directing on the set of "Holes."Courtesy of Andrew Davis/Chicago Pacific Entertainment

Sachar was on set and involved throughout the entirety of filming.

Louis Sachar was involved behind the scenes.Courtesy of Andrew Davis/Chicago Pacific Entertainment

The young actors also had to read the book and take a quiz.

The kids in the cast were tasked with reading "Holes" before filming started.Courtesy of Andrew Davis/Chicago Pacific Entertainment

The made a last-minute cameo in the film.

Louis Sachar in "Holes."Disney

Tim Blake Nelson almost turned down his role as Dr. Pendanski.

Tim Blake Nelson as Dr. Pendanski in "Holes."Disney

Castro auditioned for his role a second time after initially getting rejected.

Miguel Castro and Shia LaBeouf in "Holes."Disney

Khleo Thomas was up against a lot of competition for Zero, including Tahj Mowry.

At the time, Tahj Mowry was known for starring on "Smart Guy."Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

It's possible that Frankie Muniz could've played Stanley.

Frankie Muniz may have been in the running for Stanley.Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

Davis' real-life father played Stanley's grandfather in the movie.

Nathan Davis appeared in "Holes."Disney

Nelson spent more time hanging out with the kids on set than Jon Voight and Sigourney Weaver.

Jon Voight, Sigourney Weaver, and Tim Blake Nelson in "Holes."Courtesy of Andrew Davis/Chicago Pacific Entertainment

"Holes" was shot in the desert, and the cast and crew had to deal with scorching temperatures and sandstorms.

Parts of "Holes" were filmed in the Mojave Desert.Courtesy of Andrew Davis/Chicago Pacific Entertainment

The kids had to do an extensive boot camp before filming.

To prepare for the desert heat, the young cast went through boot-camp training.Courtesy of Andrew Davis/Chicago Pacific Entertainment

Thomas and LaBeouf didn't really have to eat onions.

Khleo Thomas eating an "onion" in "Holes."Disney

Hill wasn't a fan of working with his character's donkey.

There were a few animals on set, including a donkey.Disney

Castro said he refused to do scenes with reptiles.

Although the yellow-spotted lizards from the film are fictional, there were reptiles on set.Disney

The production team had to protect native lizards in one of their filming locations.

There were native lizards out in the desert.Disney

Siobhan Fallon Hogan said she and Henry Winkler improvised their big scene together.

Siobhan Fallon Hogan and Henry Winkler in "Holes."Disney

The kids started coming up with an original rap for the film before the production team even asked for one.

The kids, dubbed the D-Tent Boys, wrote "Dig It" for "Holes."Courtesy of Andrew Davis/Chicago Pacific Entertainment

Davis made his own trailer for the movie, but it was never used.

Davis said Disney executives pushed back on his trailer.Disney

Thomas said he wasn't allowed back into his middle school after "Holes."

Khleo Thomas as Zero in "Holes."Disney

Castro got some special treatment when the "Holes" promotional posters went up.

The cast and crew of "Holes" at the premiere in 2003.Courtesy of Andrew Davis/Chicago Pacific Entertainment

Hill paid homage to "Holes" on "Psych."

James Roday and Dulé Hill on "Psych."USA Network

Castro said he still gets in character a few times a year.

Miguel Castro as Magnet in "Holes."Disney

Sachar wanted the ending of the film to be different.

Tim Blake Nelson, Sigourney Weaver, and Jon Voight in "Holes."Disney

There was almost a sequel to "Holes."

Louis Sachar said he was initially asked to write a sequel.Disney

Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda and other star kids making their Bollywood debuts in 2023

Cookies on the Business Insider India website