James Cromwell's Journey to Veganism During the Making of Babe: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

James Cromwell played farmer Hoggett in the movie Babe. The director, Chris Noonan, had a disagreement with producer George Miller who wanted an all-Australian cast. However, a casting director believed Cromwell was perfect for the role and pushed for him to get a meeting.

The film is based on the book 'The Sheep-Pig' by British author Dick King-Smith. Cromwell initially used a Texas accent but had to switch to a British accent as per the studio's request. During filming, Cromwell decided to become a vegan after seeing animals he worked with being prepared for lunch.

The final scene, where the sheep follow Babe, was a miracle. The animals were trained for months to walk in rows and follow the pig around the circuit. Cromwell's emotional final line in the movie brought him closure regarding his relationship with his father.

Neal Scanlan, the special effects artist, shared the challenges of creating animatronic animals for the film. The team used innovative techniques to make the puppets look realistic, including using silicone skin and intricate eye mechanisms for Babe.