Thought those opening scenes featuring Derek Zoolander missing out on Male Model of the Year at a fashion event looked realistic?
That's because they were actually filmed at the real-life 2000 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards - during the commercial breaks, of course.
HANSEL WAS SPECIFICALLY WRITTEN FOR OWEN WILSON
That Hansel - he's so hot right now.
Turns out nobody else was even considered for the role of Zoolander's arch rival, because the part was specifically written for Owen Wilson.
Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller in a scene from the film 'Zoolander', 2001. Photo / Getty
"Owen was the most important casting to me in the movie because I think he is one of the funniest people around - and the part was written for him," Stiller once told Hollywood.com.
"I don't think [the movie] could have [been] made if he couldn't do it."
BEN STILLER WAS SUPPOSED TO PLAY ZOOLANDER'S AGENT
Stiller might be a bit of an overachiever, but even he conceded at the last-minute that playing the lead character, a secondary character and also directing the movie would be a bit too much.
Up until two weeks before shooting, the actor was still planning to play Zoolander's agent Maury Ballstein, but changed his mind at the last minute and cast his own father Jerry Stiller instead.
THE 'BLUE STEEL' WAS INSPIRED BY STILLER'S OWN FACIAL EXPRESSION
'Blue Steel' is one of the things all Zoolander fans have probably impersonated one time or another. Stiller has revealed that the 'Look' it describes was inspired by own of his own facial expressions.
"It came of looking in the mirror when I was brushing my hair or whatever," Stiller said.
"My wife would say, 'Why are you making that face? Why are you doing that?'"
WILSON HAD A YO-YO STUNT DOUBLE
Owen Wilson might be a great actor, but he's no yoyo pro - unlike his character Hansel.
To help him out, producers hired a yoyo stunt double named Steve Brown to handle all the crazy tricks.
In 2001, the same year the movie was released, Brown was named a National Yo-Yo Master.
STILLER ADLIBBED A FAMOUS LINE BECAUSE HE FORGOT WHAT TO SAY
One of the funniest moments in the movie comes about during a secret meeting between Zoolander and David Duchovny's character J.P. Prewitt, while they're discussing an underground plot to use male models as assassins.
Ben Stiller dressed a white suit and sunglasses during Zoolander filming. Photo / Getty
Zoolander: "Why male models?"
Prewitt: "Think about it Derek. Male models are genetically constructed to become assassins. They're in peak physical condition, they can gain entry to the most secure places in the world. But most important of all? Models don't think for themselves. They do as they're told."
After that lengthy explanation, Stiller forgot his next line, so just asked again: "But why male models?"
Luckily, Duchovny went with it: "You serious? I just ... I just told you that a moment ago."
ZOOLANDER WAS SUPPOSED TO BE KILLED OFF IN THE END
Zoolander nearly didn't survive the first movie (which may have saved us all from the sequel).
He was originally supposed to die at the end after being hit by a train and ascending to heaven, but producers canned the idea when they realised how expensive it would have been to shoot.
It's not surprising the Malaysian government wasn't exactly thrilled with the movie's references to murdering the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
The plot revolves around plans for Zoolander to be brainwashed and committing the assassination, and it led to Malaysia's censorship board deeming the film "definitely unsuitable" for public consumption.
