Movies - TV
Hidden Figures Weaponized Kevin Costner’s Hair Against Clueless Fox Execs
By BILL BRIA
Being released into a hostile climate for people of color and women at the time, "Hidden Figures" would have to be great to be noticed, just like the women the film is about.
The Fox Searchlight studio execs wanted to maximize the film's appeal but didn't want to voice concerns that could be considered bigoted or misogynistic. Instead, they nitpicked.
At a screenwriters' event, director Theodore Melfi, revealed the absurdity of Fox Searchlight's notes during production, claiming one exec asked, "Do we have to have so much math?"
Considering the movie was about mathematicians, Melfi needed a distraction. Luckily, Kevin Costner asked about his character's appearance, and Melfi used it to his advantage.
Melfi said, "And so I call the studio because I love to torture them, and said, 'Kevin Costner wants a receding hairline,' and they flip out."
"So I went back to Kevin and said everyone at the studio thinks it will make you look old. He went, 'Oh. Can I chew gum?'" Melfi laughed.