Question 1

Why did Gene Hackman initially turn down Enemy of the State, and what changed his mind?

Accepted Answer

Gene Hackman turned down the movie several times but was convinced to sign on after a phone call from director Tony Scott.

Question 2

How did the production film the NSA headquarters without cooperation from the agency?

Accepted Answer

The NSA refused to cooperate, so aerial footage of their Fort Meade headquarters had to be shot from public air space.

Question 3

What improvisation did Will Smith add to his character Robert Clayton Dean?

Accepted Answer

Will Smith improvised Dean's line about buying lingerie for himself to try cross-dressing on weekends.

Question 4

How was the storm drain car chase scene filmed in the Fort McHenry Road Tunnel?

Accepted Answer

The scene was shot in an air duct tunnel below the tunnel. Cars were chopped into sections, reassembled three levels below, then disassembled after filming. Water was hosed in from a sprinkler main.

Question 5

What real-world expertise informed the film's technical accuracy?

Accepted Answer

Technical advisor Larry Cox is a former National Security Agency official.

Question 6

What surprising behind-the-scenes challenge did the production face with the NSA?

Accepted Answer

The NSA refused to cooperate with the production, so aerial footage of their Fort Meade headquarters had to be shot from public air space.

Question 7

How did Gene Hackman and Will Smith end up joining the cast?

Accepted Answer

Gene Hackman turned down the movie several times but signed on after a phone call from director Tony Scott. Will Smith took a bargain price because he wanted to work with Hackman.

Question 8

What was the elaborate process for filming the storm drain car chase scene?

Accepted Answer

The scene was shot in an air duct tunnel below Baltimore's Fort McHenry Road Tunnel. Cars were chopped into sections, taken three levels down, reassembled and painted, then disassembled after filming.

Question 9

What unexpected line did Will Smith improvise during filming?

Accepted Answer

Smith improvised Dean's line about buying lingerie for himself to try cross-dressing on weekends, saying it was hard to restrain his comedic instincts in a dramatic role.

Question 10

What festival recognized Enemy of the State years after its release?

Accepted Answer

The film was featured at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2011.

Enemy of the State

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