Mars Attacks! is a 1996 American
science fiction film directed by
Tim Burton and written by
Jonathan Gems. Based on the
cult trading card series
of the same name, the film uses elements of
black comedy and
political satire, and is a
parody of science fiction
B movies. The film stars
Jack Nicholson,
Glenn Close,
Annette Bening,
Pierce Brosnan, and
Danny DeVito, with
Sarah Jessica Parker,
Martin Short,
Natalie Portman,
Michael J. Fox, and
Christina Applegate in supporting roles.
Burton and Gems began development for
Mars Attacks! in 1993, and
Warner Bros. purchased the
film rights
to the trading card series on Burton's behalf. When Gems turned in his
first draft in 1994, Warner Bros. commissioned rewrites from Gems,
Burton,
Martin Amis,
Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski
in an attempt to lower the budget to $60 million. The final production
budget came to $80 million, while Warner Bros. spent another $20 million
on the
Mars Attacks! marketing campaign. Filming lasted from
February to November 1996. It was made famous for the quirky alien
laugh, which was created by reversing the sound ducks make when they
quack.