10 Awesome Movie Effects That Aren't What You Think
4. Tobey Maguire's Wig - Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas
What You Thought
Terry Gilliam's mind-bending road movie features an unforgettable cameo from Tobey Maguire as a hitchhiker scooped up by Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and Dr. Gonzo (Benicio del Toro).
For the role, Maguire was required to sport a most unfortunate hairdo - long-haired yet balding, and even watching the movie today, there's no reason not to believe that he's simply wearing a wig.
The Actual Effect
The story behind Maguire's hair is extremely ridiculous. The production forgot to include a stipulation in Maguire's contract requiring him to shave his head for the role, and so the enterprising actor demanded $15,000 to do it.
Gilliam didn't much like being held hostage and so declined, instead fitting Maguire with a bald cap and adding the hair digitally in post-production.
With the movie now over 20 years old, it's insane just how difficult, even impossible, it is to find the seam between Maguire's bald cap and the CGI hair.
Hilariously, though, this effect ended up costing much more than the fee Maguire demanded to shave his head. And was there really no way to just fit a wig over the bald cap? Never change, Terry.