Dolly Parton wrote the song
I almost forgot that Dolly Parton was the one who wrote and originally performed the song ‘I Will Always Love You.’ To be honest, I don’t think I would have guessed that if this question had been in a music quiz. But it’s easy to understand why, because Whitney Houston’s iconic cover version of this song completely elevated it to classic status.
In fact, there’s a pretty interesting story behind how this song became immortal. In an interview on The Graham Norton Show, Dolly Parton said that when she was first offered to use the song in a film, she sent it and then somehow forgot about it.
But one day, while driving home from the office in Nashville, she heard Whitney Houston’s version on the radio. Dolly had to pull over to the side of the road to listen to the song in its entirety because she was so moved by how beautifully it was performed.
Kevin Costner faced negative reactions for choosing Whitney Houston
Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston formed an unbreakable bond during the filming of The Bodyguard.
It was Whitney Houston’s first film role, and Kevin Costner, who was also one of the producers, fought to get her approved for the part.
‘When I wanted Whitney to be in The Bodyguard, I didn’t realise it was such a bold move,’ Costner said. ‘It didn’t seem like a bold move at all. I thought she was the sweetest girl I had ever seen.’
For Costner, it was a special film for many reasons.
He was criticised for choosing Whitney Houston for the film; cynical studio executives felt there was something odd about a romantic relationship between an African American woman and his character, Frank Farmer.
‘I just thought she was the best choice,’ he explained. “I didn’t feel like I was trying to cross a line. I couldn’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t want to kiss her.”
The Last Kiss
The Bodyguard was released in 1992. It became an international success and the second highest-grossing film of the year worldwide, although critics were not particularly impressed.
Nevertheless, at that point, it became the 10th highest-grossing film of all time.
‘I don’t know what the secret of this film is,’ Costner told the Beach Palm Post.
“Maybe it was the relationship, which was very realistic, as described by Lawrence Kasdan. Maybe it was that (his character, the bodyguard) wasn’t into her bulls. She was a diva, and as he tells her: ‘I’m here to protect you, not to help you shop.’ And there are some good moments in the relationship between the man and the woman that are really very healthy. The idea that someone is willing to protect you is something special that we all want to know in our lives.”
‘And maybe it’s the last kiss,’ Costner says.
Yes, the last kiss. The legendary ending of the film, where Costner and Houston kiss at the airport, with her iconic version of ‘If I Will Always Love You’ playing in the background. It was a touching and beautiful moment that also changed Whitney Houston’s career.
Several love scenes were cut
Ah, we all remember that famous kiss between Whitney and Kevin at the end, right? But did you know that there were actually more passionate scenes that were left on the cutting room floor?
Yes, Costner and Houston filmed several additional love scenes, but they didn’t make it into the final cut of the film. In one of them, Frank even undressed Rachel after carrying her out of the club — definitely not a typical moment for a film.
But here’s the thing: Whitney didn’t want that. She wasn’t going to strip in front of the cameras. In a 1992 interview with Vanity Fair, she made herself quite clear: ‘They’re not going to tell me to take my clothes off. I wasn’t hired to show my ass. I don’t think that’s my best asset.’ Now that’s confidence!
One person died on set
Unfortunately, accidents are a sad reality during film shoots, but what happened on the set of The Bodyguard was truly tragic and should not have happened.
On 3 January 1992, while filming a scene in downtown Los Angeles, a truck driver named William Vitaliano was crushed between two colliding cranes carrying lighting equipment. The accident was horrific, and Vitaliano tragically died shortly after being taken to the hospital.
This incident deeply shocked everyone involved in the film. Warner Bros. conducted an investigation into the accident, and in 1994, a lawsuit filed against the equipment manufacturers was settled for an undisclosed amount.
Not Whitney on the poster
Those who remember the poster for the film The Bodyguard (perhaps it even hung on your wall back then?) know that it is a rather dramatic image designed to attract the attention of moviegoers. It shows Kevin Costner’s bodyguard carrying Whitney Houston’s character, Rachel, out of a club after she was surrounded by an overly enthusiastic crowd.
But did you know that this poster caused some controversy? Some people thought that the studio deliberately hid Houston’s face to downplay the interracial romance at the heart of the film. Houston quickly refuted this in a 1993 interview with Rolling Stone, saying, “I mean, people know who Whitney Houston is — I’m black. You can’t hide that fact.”
However, Costner said that the studio actually wanted Houston to appear on screen more often because she attracted a lot of attention from viewers. The shot where she rests her head on his shoulder was actually his idea. He told Entertainment Weekly: ‘I chose this photo because it was taken by my friend Ben Glass… it was very expressive.’ And here’s a little secret: ‘It wasn’t even Whitney. She had gone home, and it was her body double.’ That’s the magic of cinema!
Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Despite its flaws and imperfections, this film will always hold a special place in my heart. Whitney, you will always be my girl. Rest in peace, we miss you. And Kevin, you are a true professional. Together, you made The Bodyguard an eternal classic that I will never forget.