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The Story Behind CASPER (lost scenes, trivia, and the scrapped sequel)

Media Pastimes

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In today's episode, we're looking back on the 1995 CASPER live action movie directed by Brad Silberling, produced by Steven Spielberg.

In this video, I dive deep into the 1995 film Casper, bringing you a closer look at the creation of one of the most iconic ghost stories of the '90s. Directed by Brad Silberling and produced by powerhouse names like Steven Spielberg, Casper brought an eerie, magical world to life, captivating audiences with groundbreaking CGI. Join me as I explore how Bill Pullman, Christina Ricci, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle, and a talented voice cast, including Malachi Pearson as Casper, brought heart and humor to a supernatural story that balanced family fun with dark, emotional undertones. I'll take you behind the scenes to reveal how the filmmakers achieved the movie’s ghostly effects, the technical and creative challenges they faced, and the legendary Spielberg touch that helped shape the film's atmosphere. We'll also dig into some fascinating, lesser-known details, including lost scenes that ended up on the cutting room floor and a planned sequel that never materialized, leaving fans to wonder what could have been. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Casper, this retrospective will give you a fresh perspective on the making of this beloved classic.

Songs (in order):
Chill Vibes by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Cool Lofi by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Chillout by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Vibing by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Feeling Good by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Your Vibe by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Chocolate by LuKremBo ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Daily by LuKremBo ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Donut by LuKremBo ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Cream by LuKremBo ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Travel by LuKremBo ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Mood by Soyb ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Getaway by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Departure by Soyb ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Night by LuKremBo ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Ambient by mixkit (outro)

_______________________________________
Music track: Chill Vibes by Pufino
Music track: Cool Lofi by Pufino
Music track: Chillout by Pufino
Music track: Vibing by Pufino
Music track: Feeling Good by Pufino
Music track: Your Vibe by Pufino
Music track: Chocolate by LuKremBo
Music track: Daily by LuKremBo
Music track: Donut by LuKremBo
Music track: Cream by LuKremBo
Music track: Travel by LuKremBo
Music track: Mood by Soyb
Music track: Getaway by Pufino
Music track: Departure by Soyb
Music track: Night by LuKremBo
Source: https://freetouse.com/music/
Music for Videos (Free Download)
_______________________________________

Chapters
Intro 0:00
Tiny Toons & Animaniacs Writers Hired to Write Script 1:40
Directing "Casper" (Alex Proyas - The Crow) 3:08
Replacement Director (Brad Silberling) 4:11
Designing Whipstaff Manor 4:58
Casper's First Appearance 5:37
Carrigan and Dibs (Cathy Moriarty and Eric Idle) 6:14
Building Whipstaff Manor 7:10
Hidden Treasure / SNL Cameos 8:00
Ray Stantz Ghostbusters 8:43
Casting Dr. Harvey (Bill Pullman) 9:30
Casting Kat (Christina Ricci) 10:11
The Ghostly Trio (Stretch, Fatso, and Stinkie) 11:04
Computer Effects in 1995 11:46
Mirror Cameo Scene 12:46
Improv Comedy Uncles 13:39
The Lazarus Machine 15:32
Casper Revived / Devon Sawa Scene 18:20
James Horner Soundtrack 19:16
Lost Scenes 19:38
FOX Kids Cartoon Adaptation 20:21
Cancelled Sequel / Teased Live Action Series 20:48
Outro 21:26

#Casper #90s #halloween

20 Comments

@MediaPastimes Creator 1 year ago (edited) Pinned

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I was obsessed with this movie as a child, so this was a special episode for me to throw together. As cheesy as "Casper" can be at times, this will always be a favorite.

Chapters
Intro 0:00
Tiny Toons & Animaniacs Writers Hired to Write Script 1:40
Directing "Casper" (Alex Proyas - The Crow) 3:08
Replacement Director (Brad Silberling) 4:11
Designing Whipstaff Manor 4:58
Casper's First Appearance 5:37
Carrigan and Dibs (Cathy Moriarty and Eric Idle) 6:14
Building Whipstaff Manor 7:10
Hidden Treasure / SNL Cameos 8:00
Ray Stantz Ghostbusters 8:43
Casting Dr. Harvey (Bill Pullman) 9:30
Casting Kat (Christina Ricci) 10:11
The Ghostly Trio (Stretch, Fatso, and Stinkie) 11:04
Computer Effects in 1995 11:46
Mirror Cameo Scene 12:46
Improv Comedy Uncles 13:39
The Lazarus Machine 15:32
Casper Revived / Devon Sawa Scene 18:20
James Horner Soundtrack 19:16
Lost Scenes 19:38
FOX Kids Cartoon Adaptation 20:21
Cancelled Sequel / Teased Live Action Series 20:48
Outro 21:26

@nope5657 1 year ago (edited)

Casper is one of those films that shockingly holds up well as an adult. Watched it endlessly as a kid and just assumed through the passage of time that it would lose its appeal through a more cynical and adult eye.

Far from it. If anything I like it more now as an adult than I did as a kid.

For one, the VFX still look good. The faithful cartoon likeness of the ghosts are just endlessly charming. The autumnal atmosphere is incredible, the set design is top notch, and the musical score is brilliant.

The film works on so many levels. It feels like one of the last big budgeted blockbuster family films that wasn't afraid to be a little gross, be a little rude, and be a little dangerous.

It's a family spooky move that isn't afraid to be spooky after making you laugh. The film has a more nuanced script than given credit for. The father/daughter dynamic feels real and textured and doesn't relay on making either Kat or her dad too oblivious or moody. They love each other and are processes the death of their wife and mother differently and just can't quite see eye to eye on the matter. They aren't at each other throats or combative. It's nice to see a film like this with a nuanced and dimensional parent/child relationship.

The emotionality of the film also hits hard. Like, here I am as an elder millennial deadass crying at a Casper movie. TWICE! It's such a sweet, beautiful story on loss and grief and moving on.

Love this film.

@alienboy1322 1 year ago

Christina Ricci signed my blu ray copy of Casper at La Comic con this year.

@TheMisfitOwl2595 1 year ago (edited)

You know, there is a very subtle plot thread connecting all three deaths in the movie: Dr. Harvey, Carrigan and Casper, were all killed by an obsession.

Dr. Harvey obsessed with the death of his wife ends up losing his life accidentally. Carrigan, obsessed with the treasure of Whipstaff Manor, falls off a cliff. And little Casper couldn't stop playing with the sled his dad had given him, a sled Casper had begged for months to have, until he caught pneumonia and died.

I think that little bit of underlying story really gave this movie some juice and I will always love this move!

@hannahsings19 1 year ago

To this day, I will yell out "MY MAAAAN!" anytime im dressed up all nice with my hair and makeup done 😂😂😂 my husband doesnt get it which makes it even more hilarious lol

@FreshBakedGaming 1 year ago

I'm one of those weirdos that prefers Casper over Hocus Pocus for my “family-friendly 90s comedy” fix every Halloween season. I don't know what it is, I just love Casper!

@Chris-ru3ri 1 year ago

I’m 50 years old and still enjoy this movie

@Larry 1 year ago

I had a pirate VHS of this movie as a kid, and half of the special effects hadn't been finished on it. So the actors were talking to nothing in a lot of the scenes.

@montanajackson3713 1 year ago

This was one of those movies my grandma owned on VHS when I was a kid that I would watch multiple times. :)

@noneedforaname965 1 year ago

I knew thera was many deleted scenes! I remember seeing a tv report on this movie and they were showing Dr. James Harvey floating on top of a couch while screaming. I hope they released these some day. I fell in love with Christina Ricci after this movie!

@BugsyFoga 1 year ago

Casper at his absolute best

@christinenorden8325 11 months ago

This movie is near & dear to my heart. My dad worked for Universal & on Casper. After filming he got to keep the foam Casper they used for special effects. When I was in kindergarten he brought it to the parents career day where you listen & learn all about different careers it was so cool. When I was little we hung him in my bedroom because he was special to me and I got into all the old Casper cartoons. We still have the Casper mold to this day. We also have the Casper pumpkin heads and put them out every Halloween. Love this movie, it will always mean a lot to me

@NL197 1 year ago

Said this before on a recent review of the movie: James Horner was one of the MVPs of this film. Absolutely lovely score.

@hiraethhollow 1 year ago

The mirror scene in Casper DID traumatise me as a child. I was absolutely freaked out when he turned into the Crypt Keeper. My mom says I would always cover my ears and look away at that part any time we watched the movie.

@NerdOutput 1 year ago

Watched the crap outta this as a kid in the 90s.

@DaemonCorps 1 year ago

Watched this movie for Halloween, and man it still holds up. If anything I've come to appreciate it more over time. Casper's Lullaby track alone is just so beautiful. Skimmed the DVD and saw the deleted scene where Dr. Harvey "sings" along with the uncles-- would have definitely helped my little-kid mind better understand what his job was back in the day! Also fun fact: the interior of the manor was also used in a Backstreet Boys music video!

@666AbbeyRoad 1 year ago

I just bought this on Blu ray and still have my VHS copy. Love this movie!

@rig-zag 1 year ago (edited)

I didn't hear any mention in this video but a bunch of Casper was filmed in midcoast Maine. I grew up in central Maine and I was in 7th grade in 1995 when one of my classmates was cast as Christina Ricci's stand-in for back shots. That was such a huge deal for our class that whole summer. 😂
Also, this was one of several major movies filmed in mid coast Maine in the mid 90s--Man without a Face, Message in a Bottle, Delores Claiborne and a few other Stephen King movies obviously.

@Verebazs 1 year ago

9:12 In deed, in the cartoon Egon states the first rule of Ghostbusting is never do it alone. Although I personally always thought that that's not even meant to be Ray, but an in-universe version of Dan Aykroyd himself who thought he was being invited to a fan event.

@TheMisfitOwl2595 1 year ago

1:22
I saw that commercial sooo many times as a kid and only now do I realize they were using the opening music from Beetlejuice in the commercial! 🤣🤣