Hash (film) - Character Inspiration

Character Inspiration

Dan Smith has often said that he based his characterisation of Hash on Eastender's Steve Owen (played by Martin Kemp). Smith commenting in 2008 said, "I wanted him to be a more bumbling version, what with the suits, the charm and a dark side... but much more of a jackass." Smith did not mention this to Innes until fiming had ended, and while Innes disputes any link between the two characters Smith, an avid Spandau Ballet fan, claims it to be true.

Dan Smith created most of the plot for the film, with Innes writing the screenplay. Smith wrote the plot in under 30 minutes one evening, as he was jokingly trying to persuade Innes to create a sequel to Bones. The name "Sandy Beaches" came to him while he was pouring a drink.

The characters Beverly Hills, Mungo Salamander, Sergeant Lyndon, Black Pudding and Foxtrot Charlie were all created by Innes. In the original plot that Innes had to work from Smith had only provided "Villain", "Sandy's boyfriend" and "mistress" for Pudding, Mungo and Hills.

The character Black Pudding was nearly called Hairy McMole in reference to a mutual love interest of Innes and Smith.

There was originally going to be a follow up on "Kilroy Goon" at the end, although time restrictions on the recording of Fry's narrative caused this to be cut. The Goon was, like his namesake, going to enter politics. This character development was eventually given to Beverly Hills.

The fight scene between Smith and Tilston was filmed late at night in the old parachute room on the former RAF Finningley base (now Robin Hood International Airport). A friend of the producers had a lease of the property at the time that was to elapse at midnight on the day of filming. As everything had been cleared at 5 pm the scene was filmed in the late hours with wrapping up just 25 minutes before the lease expired.

The Black Pudding character is loosely based on the WWF Character Kane (circa 1998) and the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. As Pudding appears alone in most of his scenes the actor/actors that played him were never disclosed. In the credits he appears "As Himself".

The Four Horsemen team was a homage to the legendary professional wrestling clique. Likewise the fight commentators BJ and Eric Heyman are a reflection of producer Smith's great love of professional wrestling.

There were three possible endings to the film planned at different stages. These were changed for logistic reasons.

The character that Hash chases in the opening sequence was played by Jon Rees, Smith's University room mate.

The Hash-Sandy flashback shots at the start of the film were filmed at Primrose Valley in North Yorkshire. The external chase shots at the start of the film were shot in Leeds with the bulk of filming taking place in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The Stephen Fry narration was taped in September 2003 in Soho, London, in between takes filming the BBC show Absolute Power. It was also only hours before he taped his appearance on ITV's Parkinson to promote his directorial debut Bright Young Things which was released later that week.

The "Kilroy Goon" and "Brummy Goon" characters were created on-set, as Young and Smith were having fun between takes. It was decided to include them in the film.

The role of Foxtrot Charlie was eventually filled by director Innes, although he wasn't the first choice. There were actually two men and one woman considered for the part before scheduling conflicts meant Innes had to fill in.

One of the original endings called for all the characters to meet up in a disused warehouse. The character Jerry was meant to arrive with Mungo's henchmen, prompting Hash to shout "Mungo? Jerry? Mungo Jerry?" It is likely that both characters were named so allow this joke, which did not make the final film.