‘Money Heist’: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Series
Money Heist fans received an extra treat when part 4 of the series arrived on April 3. In addition to gulping up the entire new season, viewers were able to watch the La Casa de Papel accompanying documentary that was released on the same day.
While that behind-the-scenes special is certainly worth your time for the gems it dropped, there are some things diehard fans may not know about the series.
Police officers like ‘Money Heist’
Have you ever wondered what law enforcement thinks about La Casa de Papel? They love it too, and many of them are rooting for the gang. During an interview with El Cultural, director Jesús Colmenar said that police are with the “bad guys.”
“There was a change in fiction, a turning point, with the series The Sopranos. From then on, the protagonists stopped being the good guys who had to fight the bad guys. You could create characters with all kinds of moral layers. That ushered in a golden age of television fiction with a new generation of series that are no longer required to have faultless protagonists. I have met many policemen who are fans of La Casa de Papel and tell you that they are going with the robbers. That some police go with the ‘bad guys’ is part of the magic of cinema. It is a satisfaction that they also tell you that we reflect police work in a very realistic way.”
The series almost had a different name
Creator Álex Pina originally named the show Los Desahuciados, which translates to “The Hopeless.” Eventually, the title was switched to La Casa de Papel, and Money Heist for the English-speaking audience.
Tokyo was the third choice for narrator
The tale of Money Heist was introduced from Tokyo’s point of view, and it’s been that way since the first episode. But before that, the Professor was chosen to narrate. Showrunners decided against it because it felt narcissistic, and they were going to go with Moscow instead because his personality was more cheerful.
That idea was squashed too, and Tokyo was chosen to give the story a female perspective.
How did they make the money?
According to Netflix, production crews used newspaper printing equipment and supplies to give the fake bills an authentic look and feel. Thanks to ABC newspaper in Spain, they created a few thousand paper notes.
Dali masks had competition
It’s become the ubiquitous symbol of Money Heist: Salvador Dali masks. Spanish folk hero Don Quixote was also considered as the face of choice. Many recognize him as an idealist, and the character is often referenced in literature not only for his silliness and chivalry, but his bravery and honor.
Money Heist creators cited the premise of “madness, genius, and romanticism” of Don Quixote. The quote, “To fight with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable star,” also seems to fit in with the theme of the show.
Ultimately, Dali masks were selected as a symbol of rebellion and revolution, something connected to the artist’s work.
