Where to watch The Fifth Element (1997)

Trivia & production notes

• Luc Besson conceived the world of The Fifth Element as a teenager to fight boredom and began writing the script at age 16, finally releasing the film when he turned 38.
• The character Diva Plavalaguna was likely named after the Plava Laguna resort in Poreč, Croatia, where Besson had vacationed multiple times.
• Besson recruited French comic creators Jean Giraud and Jean-Claude Mézières in November 1991 to design the film's futuristic look, drawing inspiration from their comic work.
• Production halted unexpectedly in December 1992 without warning after studios proved unwilling to finance a nearly $100 million budget, with the team disbanding entirely.
• Bruce Willis initially hesitated to take the lead role because his previous two films, Hudson Hawk and Billy Bathgate, had been commercial failures and the project seemed risky.
• Milla Jovovich was selected for the role of Leeloo from 200 to 300 applicants Besson met in person, competing against Elizabeth Berkley and Diane Kruger.
• Leeloo speaks a fictional language of 400 words invented by Besson, and he practiced the language with Jovovich through conversations and written letters.
• Though Besson wanted to shoot in France, he filmed in London at Pinewood Studios on seven soundstages, making The Fifth Element the costliest European film ever produced at that time.
• Besson deliberately scheduled Bruce Willis and Gary Oldman's filming at different times, meaning the protagonist and antagonist never shared any screen time despite both being in the film.
• Prince was originally cast as Ruby Rhod but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts with his Jam of the Year World Tour; Chris Tucker was ultimately chosen over Jamie Foxx because his smaller frame better suited the character.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article The Fifth Element, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Rewritten for StreamShack; errors are ours — tell us about them.