Stephen Frears' 2000 film adaptation of Nick Hornby's High Fidelity turned 20 years old this past March. The highly acclaimed music-centric rom-com follows Rob Gordon (John Cusack), a cynical small-time record store owner navigating a rocky romance with his longterm girlfriend Laura while dealing with his two bumbling co-workers Dick (Todd Louiso) and Barry (Jack Black).
In early 2020, High Fidelity was adapted to the small screen for one season via Hulu. The show stars Zoe Kravitz, the daughter of Lisa Bonet, who also starred in the original film. In celebration of its 20th birthday, here are some interesting behind the scenes facts about the making of the movie.
Written For Jack Black
The iconic role of Barry in High Fidelity was specifically written for a pre-famous Jack Black. Star John Cusack and co-writers D.V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink, and Scott Rosenberg tailored the part around Black's comedic affectations.
Black nearly turned down part when first reading the screenplay. Artie Lange auditioned for the role at one point, but when Black reconsidered, he won the part. The film launched Black's career from a bit player to a bonafide movie star.
Bruce Springsteen's Role
One of the movie's motifs features Rob pouring his soul out to his imaginary friend, Bruce Springsteen, who provides the jilted lover with advice regarding his doomed romances. However, Cusack wanted another musician to play the role altogether.
Cusack initially wanted Bob Dylan to play the role of Rob's spiritual counselor, but he was unavailable to accept the role. Springsteen was cast in his place, but references to Dylan's albums such as Blonde on Blonde still occur in the film.
Chicago Record Stores
One of the major differences in Hornby's novel and Frears' film is the relocated setting from England to Chicago. Being a Chicago native himself, Cusack made a point to support and promote local musicians, acts, and venues.
For example, Rob (Cusack) can be seen wearing a t-shirt for Wax Trax! Records throughout the film. Wax Trax! was a real record shop in Chicago, the building of which is used for Rob's fictitious Championship Vinyl shop in the film. Rob also mentions Vintage Vinyl in the film at least once, which also a local record store in Cusack's hometown of Evanston, Illinois.
Deleted Vacation References
Two key figures from the National Lampoon's Vacation franchise filmed scenes that were ultimately deleted from the final cut of High Fidelity.
Vacation director Harold Ramis was originally cast as Rob's father, but his scenes were left on the cutting room floor. Likewise, Vacation star Beverly D'Angelo was cast as an overly-tan Championship Vinyl shopper who tries to sell Rob her deceased husband's record collection. Both deleted sequences can be found on the DVD bonus material.
The Kinky Wizards Song
Much of the High Fidelity plot revolves around Vince and Justin, a pair of shoplifters who steal music from Championship Vinyl to make their own original recordings. Once Rob hears their demo, he forgives their thievery and agrees to produce their debut record.
The song used on the demo was a real song called "Inside the Game" written and recorded by the American band Royal Trux. The band broke up a year after the film in 2001 but reunited in 2015.
Musician Cameos
Several cameos from real-life musicians can be spotted in High Fidelity. Among them includes Iron and Wine bassist Matt Lux, who performs behind Barry in the climactic concert scene. The "Man in Store" is actually Alan S. Johnson, lead singer of the band U.S. Maple, the sticker for which can be seen on the countertop inside the store.
Other cameos include Chicago-based bands Tortoise and Isotope 217 guitarist Jeff Parker, who plays behind Marie DeSalle (Bonet) on stage. Another store customer includes Ian Williams, guitarist for famous band Battles.
On-Set Romance
A real-life romance bloomed on the set of High Fidelity. Actress Natasha Gregson Wagner, who plays reporter Caroline Fortis in the film, happens to be the daughter of Natalie Wood and producer Richard Gregson and stepdaughter of Robert Wagner.
While filming, Gregson Wagner met and fell in love with co-writer D.V. DiVincentis, who grew up with Cusack in nearby Evanston, Illinois. The two eventually got married in 2003 but ended their marriage five years later in 2008.
Evil Dead II Switched To Reservoir Dogs
One of the funniest scenes in the film involves Rob asking a hypothetical question to Barry about the cult-horror film Evil Dead II. However, for its release overseas, another movie was substituted for the Sam Raimi classic.
In Hungary, the movie discussed was changed to Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. The change was made not only done because Reservoir Dogs was much more popular than Evil Dead II in Hungary at the time, but also because of a similar scene featured in the novel in which Tarantino's film was discussed.
Original Marvin Gaye Track
One of the most memorable scenes in High Fidelity comes when Barry reveals his melodious singing voice at the end of the film. While he croons to Marvin Gaye's iconic "Let's Get it On," another track was originally set to be used.
In early drafts of the screenplay, Marvin Gaye's track "Got To Give It Up" was originally written to be the song Barry performs during the film's climax. However, it was Black's idea to change the song, as he felt the chosen track was completely wrong for the tone of the finale.
Rob's Top Five Records
A major motif in the movie features Rob and other characters listing his Top 5 favorites in a number of different categories. But while he never actually lists his Top 5 Favorite All-Time records, the wall of Rob's apartment gives away the answers.
Rob's interior decorations reveal the following albums hung in frames: Maggot Brain by Funkadelic, Tonight's The Night by Neil Young, Wild Honey by the Beach Boys, Goo by Sonic Youth, and Double Nickels on the Dime by The Minutemen.