It's been 20 years since we readied our pom-poms and rooted for the fighting Toros in Bring It On. The 2000 teen comedy stars Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dushku as two cheerleaders who must square off against the fighting Clovers (led by Gabrielle Union) in order to take their sixth national title. Though their rivalry runs deep, in the end, the film teaches us that good sportsmanship wins over all. In honor of the film's 20th anniversary, here are a few things you didn't know...
1. Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union were both cheerleaders in high school.
That probably explains why they both played team captains in the film.
2. The film was originally supposed to be a documentary.
Screenwriter Jessica Bendinger wanted Bring It On to be an MTV documentary called Cheer Fever that gave an inside look at the subculture of competitive cheerleading.
3. James Franco and Jason Schwartzman were considered for the role of Missy Pantone's brother Cliff.
The role, of course, eventually went to Jesse Bradford.
4. Lindsay Sloane tried out for the role of Torrance.
She ended up playing the sassy cheerleader Big Red. Good thing she didn't get the lead role as she lied about having cheerleading experience.
5. The Toros high school was really San Diego State University.
If you look closely enough, you can spot the statue of the university's founder in one of the scenes.
6. There's sentimental value to Cliff's T-shirts.
The tees are from director Peyton Reed's personal collection.
7. Isis' three best friends Lava, Jenelope, and Lafred formed the real-life girl group named Blaque.
You know, they're the ones who made that song with J.C. Chasez from *NSYNC.
8. This scene was all Kirsten Dunst.
All of the moves here were apparently improvised on the spot.
9. Sparky Polastri's lines were mostly improvised.
Well, except for the whole "spirt fingers" thing, of course.
10. Many of the stunts performed by the teams at nationals are technically illegal.
According to the National Federation Interscholastic Spirit Association, the fly overs, basket-tosses, and any stunt over two bodies high are not permitted.
11. There's a hilarious blooper in this scene.
Can you spot the two cheerleaders who collide with each other around the 22-second mark?
