5 things about Shawshank Redemption only true fans know

The Shawshank Redemption is one of the most beloved movies of all time. However, when it was first released, many things didn’t go as planned. From confusion over the title to an alternate ending, there are several interesting facts that only true fans know. Let’s explore them!

Here are the lesser known facts about Shawshank Redemption

The original title confused everyone

The title came from the Stephen King novella (Image Source - Warner Bros)

The movie was originally titled Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. Since Rita Hayworth was a famous Hollywood actress, many people thought the film was about her. Some actors even auditioned, thinking she was a character in the movie!

Because of this confusion, the title was later shortened to The Shawshank Redemption. However, it still caused issues. Many people found it hard to remember or pronounce, which may have hurt its initial popularity.

Rob Reiner almost directed the movie

Tom Cruise as Andy and Harrison Ford as Red would have changed the dynamic completely (Image Source - Warner Bros)

Rob Reiner, the director of Stand By Me (another Stephen King adaptation), loved the script so much that he offered Frank Darabont $3 million to let him direct it.

Reiner had big plans for the film. He wanted to cast Tom Cruise as Andy Dufresne and Harrison Ford as Red. However, Darabont refused the offer because he had a strong vision for the story. He decided to direct it himself, and the rest is history!

Tim Robbins went to extreme lengths for his role

Emotional effects of being locked up would have helped him portray Andy more realistically (Image Source - Warner Bros)

Tim Robbins, who played Andy, took his role very seriously. To understand the experience of being in prison, he:

Spent time in solitary confinement.
Wore shackles for hours to feel restricted.
Observed caged animals in zoos to see how they reacted to being locked up.

Meanwhile, Morgan Freeman, who played Red, did not do any special research. He believed that “men don’t change,” so he simply acted naturally to bring Red to life.

The movie originally had a different ending

What would have happened if the ending was different? (Image Source - Warner Bros)

In the original script, the movie ended with Red on a bus, heading to Mexico to find Andy. This ending was meant to be open-ended, letting the audience imagine what happened next.

However, test audiences wanted more closure. So, a new ending was shot where Red and Andy reunite on the beach. Director Frank Darabont wasn’t a fan of this change at first, but he included it after seeing the positive reactions.

It was a box office failure but became a classic

It's an all-time classic movie (Image Source - Warner B[ros)

When The Shawshank Redemption was released in 1994, it didn’t do well at the box office. It only made $58 million against a $25 million budget.

Why? It had tough competition from Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction. Many people overlooked it in theaters.

However, thanks to home video rentals and TV broadcasts, the movie slowly gained a massive fanbase. Today, it’s considered one of the greatest films of all time.

Despite its rocky start, The Shawshank Redemption became a masterpiece loved by millions. From its confusing title to its alternative ending, these behind-the-scenes facts make it even more fascinating. True fans appreciate the dedication and choices that shaped this unforgettable movie.