7 Recently Confirmed Truths You Didn't Know About Famous Movies

6. Universal Shut Down The 40-Year-Old Virgin Because Steve Carell Looked Like A Serial Killer

The 40 Year Old Virgin Steve Carell
Universal

Though Steve Carell has firmly proven himself to be a capable dramatic actor in recent years, back in 2005 he was still labelled a "funnyman", and as such the tone of his performance in the broad studio comedy The 40-Year-Old Virgin caused quite a few headaches over at Universal.

The studio rushed the movie into production after hearing writer-director Judd Apatow's pitch, though temporarily halted shooting just five days in after Universal executives saw early footage and felt that Carell's character was too unsettling to be funny. Carell said, "the dailies of my character just looked too creepy. They said I looked like a serial killer."

Carell and the crew had to plead with Universal to let production resume, which they eventually did, and it's just as well, because the movie released to both rave reviews and a mighty $177.4 million box office haul.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.