Anastasia - Trivia, Questions and Fun Facts

[dustin]

The story and plot of this movie shares similarities with Twentieth Century Fox's prior movie, Anastasia (1956), which, in turn, was based on the 1955 play by Marcelle Maurette. Coincidentally, Composer David Newman's father, Alfred Newman, wrote the musical score for Anastasia (1956).

[caroline]

Just as was suggested in this movie, the real-life Anastasia Romanov loved playing practical jokes. This made her quite notorious amongst her family and the palace staff.

[caroline]

Shortly after meeting Anya (Meg Ryan), Dimitri (John Cusack) mispronounces her name "Enya". This could be a reference to the recording artist Enya, who was popular at the time of this movie's release.

[jesus]

Near the beginning of this movie, Anya finds a puppy and names him Pooka. In Celtic folklore, a pooka is a shape-shifting creature that can bring fortune.

[russell]

Ethan Hawke was considered for the role of Dimitri.

[addison]

This was the last animated movie from Twentieth Century Fox to feature a female protagonist until Epic (2013).

[jim]

Liz Callaway was called at the last minute by Vocalist Stephen Flaherty and Lyricist Lynn Ahrens to substitute for a singer who couldn't make the recording session of the temp tracks for Twentieth Century Fox. Her tracks of the songs were liked so much, they led to her subsequent casting as the singing voice of Anastasia.

[addison]

In real-life, Olga really did say that Anastasia's drawing looked like a pig riding a donkey. This was stated by Anastasia in a letter to her father, and the image used in the movie is a reproduction of the original picture.

[charlie]

Mike Myers was considered for the role of Dimitri.

[maureen]

Carrie Fisher contributed some ideas for this movie, especially the "Journey to the Past" sequence.

[jeffrey]

Kathleen Turner was considered for the role of Sophie.