11 Things You Didn't Know About Zoolander

Updated on Nov 30, 2014 at 11:00 AM

Ben Stiller turns 49 on Sunday, and in celebration, we're taking a closer look at one of his best comedies: Zoolander. A sequel is on the horizon, and while we're elated, we're also seizing this opportunity to look at all the brilliance the first movie gave us. You know, other than how to model like Derek Zoolander. Keep scrolling for 11 things you may not have known about Zoolander.

"But Why Male Models?" Was Improvised

Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) wasn't supposed to ask this question a second time, but Stiller forgot the next line. He explained the entire story during an AMA on Reddit: "I literally was listening to what David Duchovny said . . . and I honestly forgot. I hadn't followed what he was saying. I said it again and got my lines wrong, and David (who's a very funny guy) improvised the 'Are you serious? I just explained that.'"

David Bowie Wasn't a Sure Thing

In an interview with Hollywood.com, Stiller revealed that he didn't ask David Bowie before writing him a part: "David Bowie, literally, we just came up with the idea of who would be funny to judge this 'walk-off.' Bowie, with his song 'Fashion,' personified that. We put it in the script and sent it to him, and he actually said yes. That was one of those out-of-the-blue things."

Calling Ben Stiller a Model Is Kind of a Stretch

And we're not talking about whether or not he's really, really good-looking. According to modeling agent Gene Kogan, Stiller's only five foot eight, and a male model needs to be at least six feet tall. Also, more obviously, "Blue Steel" faces aren't really a thing.

That's Totally Justin Theroux as the Evil, Break-Dancing DJ

The DJ is just one of Justin Theroux's forgotten roles.

And Yep, James Marsden Plays John Wilkes Booth

Obviously.

Oh and Here's Alexander Skarsgard

Three words: Orange. Mocha. Frappuccinos!

Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor Got Married the Year Before the Movie Came Out

They met on the set of Heat Vision and Jack, a TV show that never ended up happening.

The Film Really Was a Family Affair

On top of the obvious inclusion of Stiller's wife, the movie has a bunch of other familial cameos. His dad, Jerry Stiller, plays Maury Ballstein; his mom, Anne Meara, plays a protester who eggs Mugatu; and his sister, Amy Stiller, is a member of Hansel's posse.

The Plot Is Eerily Similar to a Bret Easton Ellis Book

Glamorama came out the year before Zoolander, and it's about a male model who suddenly finds himself unwillingly sucked into a sinister group of terrorists. Ellis reportedly sued for plagiarism, and the case was settled out of court.

Mugatu Was Based on a Star Trek Monster

Yep, apparently Stiller admits to being a massive Trekkie, and Mugatu refers directly to a Mugato, an apelike monster who attacks Kirk in the original Star Trek series.

Hence the Hair

Also, rumor has it that when Mugatu says, "I'll be a monkey's uncle," it's another allusion to the monster.