The Pink Panther (2006)
Trivia
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Originally, the animated title sequence was going to be done in CGI, but the filmmakers decided to stick to traditional, hand-drawn animation instead. This animation was directed by Bob Kurtz, who had worked on some of the "Pink Panther" shorts. The CGI title sequence appears as an extra on the DVD, and is partly used as menu animation.
In the press conference scene, the cameras that are supposed to be "news" cameras actually filmed parts of the scene.
Steve Martin had such respect for Peter Sellers that when he was asked to take over the role of Clouseau, he put off the decision to accept it until after he had already worked out the character's accent and run several ideas for scenes past director Shawn Levy.
The cameo appearance of Clive Owen can be seen both as a nod to the fact that Owen was rumored to be a contender to replace Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in Casino Royale (2006) (denied by both EON and Owen), and a tribute to Peter Sellers (the most famous actor to play Inspector Clouseau) who also parodied James Bond in the spoof film Casino Royale (1967). Owen's role was originally intended for Pierce Brosnan, but his contract with EON specifically prohibited him from appearing as a spy in a tuxedo for at least five years after leaving the role of 007.
Jackie Chan was considered for the part of Clouseau's Chinese assistant, Cato Fong. But the filmmakers decided they didn't want to use a politically incorrect character, and replaced Cato with the Frenchman Ponton.
Chris Tucker and Robin Williams were early contenders for the role of Inspector Clouseau. Kevin Spacey, Mike Myers and Kevin Kline were considered for the role (Kline got the role of Dreyfus instead).
When Sony inherited the film from its acquisition of MGM, it decided to spend approximately $5 million to re-shoot and re-edit the film to tone down or cut explicit contents to get a PG rating.
Reportedly, football player David Beckham was offered a supporting role in this movie but opted out due to his obligations to his club, Real Madrid.
Inspector Clouseau entering the motel room with Ponton to discover only one bed to share is a direct tip of the hat to Steve Martin's character Neil Page having to share a room with John Candy's Del Griffith in Planes Trains and Automobiles 1984. Even Inspector Clouseau's pajamas share a striking resemblance to the ones worn by Candy.
In the early stages, Paul Giamatti was considered for the role of Dreyfus and there were even plans for a running gag that would have had the Pink Panther animated character worked into the actual story by having him appear as Dreyfus' madness-induced hallucinations.
Gérard Depardieu was the second choice for the role of Ponton.
Jim Carrey was considered for the part of Jacques Clouseau.
Ivan Reitman was originally going to direct the film, but chose not to, staying on as producer of the film.
The teaser trailer features Inspector Clouseau using the glass breaking device he got from Agent 006. This scene is not in the final film.
According to the 2004 teaser trailer credits David Newman was attached to compose the film's score at one point. The film's final composer, Christophe Beck, was originally hired to do the score, than a few months later he was off the project and Newman came in. Then a few months after that, Beck was back on.
Christophe Beck is the first composer other than the late Henry Mancini to write the music for the "Pink Panther" movies (unless one counts Ken Thorne, but Inspector Clouseau (1968) generally isn't considered an official "Pink Panther" film).
