<P> 20th Century Fox pitched its version with director Tom Shadyac and producers Dave Phillips and John Davis in attendance, in which Jack Nicholson was in mind to play the Grinch . Additionally, the Farrelly brothers and John Hughes pitched their separate versions . Universal Pictures held its pitch presentation with Brian Grazer and Gary Ross in attendance, but Geisel refused such offer . Grazer then enlisted his producing partner Ron Howard to help with the negotiations . At the time, Howard was developing a film adaptation of The Sea Wolf, and did not express interest in Grinch, but Grazer talked Howard into traveling to Geisel's residence for the pitch meeting . While studying the book, Howard became interested in the character, Cindy Lou Who, and pitched a film in which she would have a larger role, as well as a materialistic representation of the Whos and an expanded backstory of the Grinch . </P> <P> On September 16, 1998, it was announced that Howard would direct and co-produce a live - action adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey attached to star . It was also reported that Universal Pictures, who had acquired the distribution rights, paid $9 million for the film rights for an adaptation of Grinch and Oh, the Places You'll Go to Audrey Geisel . Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman wrote the final screenplay following eight drafts, but Geisel also had veto power over the script . She objected to several jokes and sexual innuendos in the screenplay, some including about one family who did not have a Christmas tree or presents jokingly called the "Who - steins" and the placement of a stuffed trophy of the Cat in the Hat on the Grinch's wall . Alec Berg, David Mandel and Jeff Schaffer did an uncredited rewrite of the script . </P> <P> The film was shot between September 1999 and January 2000 . Dr. Seuss' wife, Audrey, visited the set in October 1999 . Much of the Whoville set was constructed on the backlot of Universal Studios behind the Bates Motel . During a break in filming, Jim Carrey scared tourists on the Studio Tour by running out of the motel in a dress and brandishing a knife . Despite this, none of the Universal employees and tourists on the tour recognized him . Jim Carrey's Grinch suit was covered in yak hair, which was dyed green, and sewed onto a spandex suit . The first application of the makeup took eight hours, after which a frustrated Carrey kicked a hole in the wall of his trailer, wanting to quit the film . The production brought in CIA operative who instructed agents how to endure extreme torture techniques to coach Carrey to remain calm during the process . The process was later refined so that it took only three hours in the morning getting in, and one hour in the evening to get out . In total, Carrey spent 92 days in the Grinch make - up, and became a "Zen Master" while sitting in the make - up chair . </P> <Ol> <Li> "Kids Today"--Jim Carrey and Taylor Momsen * </Li> <Li> "Grinch 2000"--Busta Rhymes and Jim Carrey </Li> <Li> "Green Christmas"--Barenaked Ladies </Li> <Li> "Christmas of Love"--Little Isidore and the Inquisitors </Li> <Li> "Lonely Christmas Eve"--Ben Folds </Li> <Li> "Grinch Schedule"--Jim Carrey * </Li> <Li> "Better Do It Right"--Smash Mouth </Li> <Li> "Whoville Medley" (Perfect Christmas Night / Grinch)--Trans - Siberian Orchestra </Li> <Li> "Reindeer"--Jim Carrey * </Li> <Li> "Christmas Is Going to the Dogs"--The Eels </Li> <Li> "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"--Jim Carrey </Li> <Li> "Christmas Means More"--Anthony Hopkins and Jim Carrey * </Li> <Li> "You Don't Have to Be Alone"--* NSYNC </Li> <Li> "Where Are You, Christmas?"--Faith Hill </Li> <Li> "The Shape of Things to Come"--James Horner </Li> <Li> "Memories of a Green Childhood"--James Horner + </Li> <Li> "Christmas, Why Can't I Find You?"--James Horner and Taylor Momsen </Li> <Li> "Stealing Christmas"--Anthony Hopkins, James Horner, Jim Carrey, and Taylor Momsen ~ </Li> <Li> "The Big Heist"--James Horner + </Li> <Li> "Does Cindy Lou Really Ruin Christmas?"--James Horner + </Li> <Li> "A Change of Heart"--James Horner + </Li> <Li> "The Sleigh of Presents"--James Horner + </Li> <Li> "He Carves the Roast Beast"--James Horner ^ </Li> </Ol>

When was the grinch with jim carrey made