Mars Attacks! is certainly one of director Tim Burton’s most bizarre movies, which is really saying something. Let’s revisit the quirky sci-fi film with these 10 behind-the-scenes facts!
1It first existed as a 1962 line of trading cards
The history of Mars Attacks! dates back to 1962, when Topps first launched a line of trading cards with that name. Inspired by War of the Worlds, the complete set of 54 cards told a complete story of a Martian invasion one step at a time. Comedic yet horrifically violent, the cards were a big hit with consumers, but they were a bit too extreme for that time period. As a result of heavy backlash from the public, Topps halted production on the cards soon after.
In the decades since, the original Mars Attacks cards have become collector’s items. Their continued popularity leading into the ’90s would result in Tim Burton choosing to adapt them into a live-action movie. However, the stories told between the different versions are far different. If you’re curious enough, you can check out the full set of the Topps cards in the video below.
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