Infamous “I hate N****rs” Sandwich Board Bruce Willis Wore in $366M Movie Was Actually CGI, Was Blank During Filming
The visual storytelling in the film keeps evolving and attracting audiences with its creative stories and amazing displays. This progress is being driven by the remarkable capabilities of computer-generated images (CGI). A prime example of CGI’s impact can be seen in the famous film Die Hard with a Vengeance, where a climactic moment involved Bruce Willis’ character, John McClane, wearing a sandwich board.
However, there are a lot more movie sequences where CGI may have been used but went unnoticed by the viewers.
The Offensive Sandwich Board Of Bruce Willis In $366M Movie Was Blank
Die Hard with a Vengeance, released on May 19, 1995, marks the third thrilling chapter in the Die Hard series, featuring the incomparable Bruce Willis as the iconic character John McClane.
This franchise undeniably transformed the 68-year-old from a comedic actor to an action star in the late eighties. As the series’ main protagonist, McClane, a New York Police Department detective, has a knack for finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.
In this sequel, McClane faces a new adversary named Simon, portrayed by Jeremy Irons, who claims responsibility for recent explosions in New York City. The story unfolds with McClane crossing paths with Simon Gruber, the brother of his previous nemesis, Hans Gruber, seeking revenge for his brother’s demise.
One of Simon’s vengeful tasks for McClane involves standing on a Harlem street corner, wearing a sandwich board displaying a racist message that includes the offensive “I hate N****rs” word.
Interestingly, there has been speculation about the alteration of the sign’s wording. Rumor has it that the producers originally filmed the scene with the sign reading “Everybody” and digitally changed it to the offensive version during post-production for the theatrical release.
However, for television broadcasts, a less objectionable phrase, “I Hate Everybody,” was used to avoid controversy. While the Die Hard franchise showcased the use of CGI for the alteration of the sandwich board, it is not the only film that has employed this technology to create proper and unnoticed visual effects.
Throughout the history of cinema, there have been countless movie moments where CGI played a role, often escaping the viewers’ notice.
Some Unnoticed CGI In Unexpected Movie Scenes
When it comes to the magic of the silver screen, visual effects serve as the cornerstone of creating mesmerizing and immersive cinematic experiences.
Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is commonly associated with imaginative fantasy worlds and exciting action scenes, but its versatility goes well beyond what we may expect. There are several times when CGI works flawlessly and blends into the content of a film.
Read more: Reason Behind Bruce Willis’ Divorce With Demi Moore: Did the ‘Die Hard’ Star Cheat on His Ex-wife?
In the film Rust & Bone, Marion Cotillard’s character showcases a stunning example of digital erasing, where CGI seamlessly removes a significant physical attribute. Similarly, Gladiator utilized CGI to digitally replace the face of Oliver Reed, who tragically passed away during production, allowing his character’s arc to be completed with respect.
Even in films firmly grounded in reality, the fine manipulation of elements through CGI adds an extra layer of artistry.
Director Ang Lee’s meticulous attention to detail in Brokeback Mountain led to the boost of nature itself. Through CGI, mountains emerged in the background, and flocks of sheep multiplied, enhancing the film’s authenticity and immersing the audience in the stunning views of the story.
Beyond the worlds of fantasy and entertainment, CGI expertly intermixes itself into our most realistic stories, improving reality, weather effects, and the smooth flow of the narrative.
Source: IMD
