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The Story Of Fight Club
On the 10th anniversary of the cult classic, the story of how it began...

It was one of the most controversial films of 1999, a bitingly funny, pitch dark look at modern consumer culture and the difficulty this generation has in connected in any meaningful way. That, or an ultraviolet fascist fantasy, depending on who you believe. Ten years on, here's the story of how the David Fincher-Brad Pitt-Edward Norton masterpiece / disaster came about...

WORDS HELEN O'HARA

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The Story Of Fight Club | How The Novel Began The Story Of Fight Club
How The Novel Began

Chuck Palahniuk wrote the novel after an "altercation" on a camping trip in the mid-1990s. "I went back to work the next week with my face completely trashed. My eyes were just panda-black." Back at the truck company where he worked, co-workers looked away when they asked if he did anything over the weekend. "I would say, 'Look at my face. C'mon people.' If you look terrible enough, no one will want to know the truth about you." As he scribbled what would become Fight Club on clipboards, life imitated art and Palahniuk also found himself getting into more fights. "While I was writing Fight Club, it started at work and just bled into the rest of my life. On one hand, I really loved it. I felt so exhausted and so tired and I slept so well after one of these terrible shoving matches. I really wanted to share it with the world". On that front, job done sir.

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Have Your Say
What your thoughts on Fight Club? Register or login now to have your say.

Your Comments
1
Posted on Sunday November 22, 2009, 14:19 by Katamarang
My God, that body. Read More

2 An Absolute Classic
Posted on Thursday November 19, 2009, 18:58 by JoKeRJaMeZ
Seriously good. Although we can all agree that Pitt and Norton were born to play Durden and the Narrator, I must admit that Russell Crowe as Tyler Durden would have been an interesting prospect indeed... Read More

3 An Absolute Classic
Posted on Thursday November 19, 2009, 18:55 by JoKeRJaMeZ
Seriously good. Great film, and although we can all agree that Pitt and Norton were born to play Durden and the Narrator, I must admit, Russell Crowe as Durden would be an interesting prospect indeed.... Read More

4 RE: Anyone knows?
Posted on Wednesday November 18, 2009, 20:37 by Dirty Hartigan
L: Eisen Just curious...does anyone remember how much stars did Empire give when it got released? t got four stars - it was one of the few good reviews the film got on release. Read More

5 STOP COMMENTING!
Posted on Wednesday November 18, 2009, 18:41 by puredeaddoug
You do NOT talk about Fight Club, people! Read More

6 Anyone knows?
Posted on Wednesday November 18, 2009, 15:49 by Eisen
Just curious...does anyone remember how much stars did Empire give when it got released? Read More

7 A TRUE MODERN CLASSIC.......
Posted on Wednesday November 18, 2009, 15:35 by boredbluekoala
I saw Fight Club in the cinema back in 1999, it was a visceral, exciting, profound experience which I hadn't had since Pulp Fiction five years earlier. On the way out of the cinema other guys were whispering amongst each other that it was "inspiring" and I've never forgotten that (that was the year we got The Phantom Menace, a huge dissappointment and the Matrix, a huge surprise) Soon afterwards I bought the video and told my brother to watch it as I felt that in years to come it would be as highly regarded as films like Taxi Driver. Then came the DvD and it was a revelation to have it in widescreen.Now of course I await the Blu-Ray that is to be released this coming monday. This film makes my all time top ten. Read More

8 One of the best movies ever made.
Posted on Wednesday November 18, 2009, 15:33 by Boydcape
In my opinion this is one of the best movies ever made, and my favourite. Disappoints that it wasn't looked upon so highly back in it's time, but proves how grit can be the best.. Great article Empire. I think it is definitely worth considering this as a regular column every issue; to tell the story of a film being made, beginning to end and how it was finally considered. Read More

9 Brilliant!
Posted on Wednesday November 18, 2009, 12:57 by craighaward
Excellent feature Empire! Read More

10 Casting Marla....and 10 years on
Posted on Wednesday November 18, 2009, 11:34 by Moosedog
I also remember reading that Anna Friel was very close to being cast as Marla.... and 10 years on it is still a masterpeice.... without doubt one of Finchers best (Se7en still nicks it),and still Ed Norton's best role.... am going to watch it tonight after reading this... thanks! Read More

11 Kick-Ass
Posted on Wednesday November 18, 2009, 01:35 by Cole9219
I read this book when I was 12 (I still am, actually). I thought it was one of the coolest effing things I ever saw! And then I saw the movie and that just made it even better. I love the book and the movie and I am glad that this is now considered a classic. Read More

12 4 stars on the Empire Essay!
Posted on Tuesday November 17, 2009, 21:59 by jcallan
By your ratings system, this is as good as Twilight! Good call Empire! Read More

13 Maybe it's Just Me
Posted on Tuesday November 17, 2009, 21:56 by rob_devitt
But i would have absolutely LOVED to see Winnona Ryder sport fucking. Seriously! Read More


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