Behind the Scenes Revealed: Red, White & Royal Blue's Epic Cakegate Recreated for the Big Screen!

Summary

Director Matthew Lopez explains using a styrofoam cake in the "Cakegate" scene of Red, White & Royal Blue to ensure safety and prevent wasting real food.

The cake incident is a pivotal occurrence in the book and movie, marking the beginning of Alex and Henry's relationship.

Lopez and the production designer delighted in flinging actual cake at the actors' faces, creating a satisfying and cathartic experience.

Director Matthew Lopez revealed the behind-the-scenes story of recreating the iconic "Cakegate" scene from the film Red, White & Royal Blue. Based on Casey McQuiston's novel, the movie was released on Prime Video on August 11th and delves into the love affair between Alex, the President's son (played by Taylor Zakhar Perez), and Henry, a British prince (portrayed by Nicholas Galitzine). Alongside Perez and Galitzine, the cast includes Clifton Collins Jr., Sarah Shahi, Stephen Fry, Rachel Hilson, and Uma Thurman.

During an interview with What To Watch, Lopez shared his insights on adapting one of the most memorable moments from the Red White & Royal Blue book. The scene involves an intense argument between Alex and Henry, ultimately culminating in the destruction of a grand wedding cake. Lopez explained that the cake was not real for most of the shots, even those filmed after it toppled over. Below are Lopez's comments on this pivotal moment, known as Cakegate, in Red, White & Royal Blue.

Red, White & Royal Blue's Cakegate Explained

We took precautions to minimize risks. Although the majority of the cake was made of styrofoam—specifically, a squishy polystyrene material—with a latex coating, it was actually quite lightweight. To demonstrate its safety, our production designer laid down on the floor and had her team drop it on her head. This allowed us to use a durable and virtually indestructible cake for most of the scenes in the movie. Additionally, we were conscious of not wasting food unnecessarily, so the aftermath of the cake disaster mainly consisted of non-edible substitutes. The actual cake was reserved for the moments when we needed to throw it in the actors' faces. We managed to capture the shot perfectly in one take, which was incredibly fortunate. It was a rewarding experience for me to personally throw the cake at Taylor and Nick after weeks of filming alongside my production designer.

The cake incident in Red, White & Royal Blue holds great significance in the book, serving as a catalyst for the beginning of Alex and Henry's relationship. Likewise, in the opening scene of the movie, both characters display animosity towards each other, which intensifies during Prince Philip's (played by Thomas Flynn) wedding reception. While Alex, in a slightly tipsy state, accidentally brushes against the cake and smears some icing on his hand, he inadvertently soils Henry's suit as well. As a result of a push, the entire dessert ends up tumbling onto them.

President Ellen Claremont, seeking re-election, suggests that her son publicly rectify the cake incident once it gains coverage from various outlets. To prove that Alex and Henry are genuine friends, the two frequently appear together, gradually resolving their differences and forming a stronger bond. Their romantic journey commences with the toppling of the cake.

Even though Red, White & Royal Blue incorporates some changes from the original material, the cake scene remains unchanged due to its significance. Fans, who witness the wedding cake destruction engulfing both Alex and Henry, are likely pleased with the outcome. Lopez's remarks imply that it was an enjoyable moment to recreate.

Source: What To Watch