Of all the strange moments in John Hughes' filmography— the pool moment in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the smoke session in The Breakfast Club, that one scene in Sixteen Candles — none are quite as weird as Weird Science.
From the film's origins to a possible reboot, here are the 10 weirdest facts about the weirdest John Hughes movie, Weird Science.
1
No Time For Vacation
In order to appear in ‘Weird Science,’ Anthony Michael Hall chose not to return to his role as Rusty Griswold in 'National Lampoon’s European Vacation.'
2
Even Weirder Science
In the film, dweebs Gary Wallace and Wyatt Donnelly bring Lisa to life by connecting a doll to a government computer and waiting for a thunderstorm. Ouch.
3
Priorities
Instead of asking an onslaught of existential questions, pondering humanity, and, well, running far, far away after being animated into a human from a doll, Lisa decides to conjure a pink Cadillac convertible and take Gary and Wyatt to get fake IDs.
4
What’s In A Name?
Even though Vernon Wells appeared in 'Weird Science' as Wes, his 'Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior' character, his role is listed as 'Lord General.'
5
A Different Model
Kelly LeBrock may have stolen the show as Lisa, however the role was originally supposed to go to Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Kelly Emberg. She left the project after just two days, citing creative differences.
6
Smells Like Shermer Spirit
While never directly addressed in the film, ‘Weird Science’ takes place at the fictitious ‘Shermer High School.’ If that name sounds familiar, it’s because the school is also featured in Hughes' 1985 classic, ‘The Breakfast Club.’
7
How Weird Is Too Weird?
Despite its title and bonkers plot, some critics argued that 'Weird Science' wasn’t weird enough. “'Weird Science' is not nearly as weird as it should have been, and, in fact, is a rather conventional kids-in-heat film, and a chaste one at that,” Variety wrote in their review of the flick. “Director-writer John Hughes squanders the opportunity to comment on the power struggle between the sexes for a few easy laughs."
8
Strange Seagal
Two years after starring in the iconic flick, model Kelly LeBrock tied the knot with Steven Seagal. The pair remained married until 1996.
9
A Possible Reboot
Though Universal Studios planned on making a raunchier reboot of the iconic film as early as 2013, the project never came to pass.
10
The Channing Connection
Even with these apparent delays, some of the original cast were seemingly on board with a reboot. Back in 2017, Ilan Mitchell-Smith revealed he'd be open to revisiting the story ... with a special guest in mind. “My favorite idea for a 'Weird Science 2' would be in one in which Wyatt and Gary are all grown up and they have daughters — daughters who find their old stuff,” the star told Hollywood Life. “They get together and make Channing Tatum."
