9 Facts You Didn't Know about 'Heathers'

I have always been a big fan of Christian Slater's, even had the good luck to meet him twice and he was a really great guy, and everyone I have met has told me to see the movie Heathers. I finally caved, and I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't what I saw. A dark twisted movie that was about the harsh realities of high school and the psychology that is in play when it comes surviving it...

Or just a whole bunch of crazy, and at times downright scary, characters. Whichever works for you.

It's been 26 years since the movie came out, so let's share some facts that you might not have known about this movie:

1. New World Pictures was nearly broke when it came out

They couldn't even afford to put an ad in the L.A. Times.

2. Winona really had to rush through strip croquet

She was trying to make it to the Beetlejuice premiere.

3. Winona Ryder turned 16 while shooting, while Christian Slater was 19

Because of her age there were time constraints on how long she could shoot and the times that she could. That's why there are a lot of leg shots in the movie - it's her double.

4. Jennifer Connelly and Justine Bateman were up for the role of Veronica

They didn't think Winona Ryder was pretty enough, having seen her in Lucas, but when meeting her at casting they clearly realized that she was perfect.

5. Really bad coincidence

Kim Walker, who played Heather Chandler, actually did eventually die of a brain tumor in 2001. Rest in peace, Kim Walker!

6. Brad Pitt read for the role of JD

Everyone thought he was too cute and really liked Christian's delivery so he, obviously, got the role.

7. Christian really did light his cigarette off of Winona's hand.

She had a heating element with wires up her sleeve in the palm of her hand. Both were careful and neither got injured. True professionals.

8. If you took German you already knew what was going to happen with the "blank" bullets

JD says they are "Ich Luge Bullets." "Ich luge" literally translates to "I lie" in German.

9. It's one month shy of being literally 15 years older than Mean Girls

This movie came out March 31, 1989 and Mean Girls came out April 30, 2004.

While people tend to lean towards Mean Girls as the definitive "get back at the popular group" movie with its quotes and humor, I can't help but notice that this movie has its own dark sense of humor, a look into the mind process of a psycho, and its own very memorable quotes. Having seen it, I actually think I prefer it to Mean Girls.