Diane Lane Reveals "Overwhelming" Outsiders Set Experience

The iconic actress recently dished on what it was really like being one of the only girls amongst a cast of future superstars on the set of the 1983 classic, and she didn't hold back!

TL;DR

Diane Lane candidly shared feeling "overwhelmed" by the "too much testosterone" while filming The Outsiders.
Director Francis Ford Coppola intentionally fostered a real social divide between the "Greasers" and "Socs" actors.
Lane still proudly owns her original "Cherry" bomber jacket from the movie set, a cherished piece of cinematic history.

Stepping Back to 1983: Diane Lane's Candid Look at 'The Outsiders' Set Experience

Picture this: it's 1983, and a young Diane Lane is starring in Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of S.E. Hinton's beloved novel, The Outsiders. Not only is she playing the memorable role of Sherri "Cherry" Valance, but she's also surrounded by a who's who of rising male talent. We're talking about names like Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, and Matt Dillon. Pretty impressive company, right?

Recently, Lane took a trip down memory lane during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, where she spilled the beans on what it was truly like to be the sole female lead among so many burgeoning male stars. Host Drew Barrymore perfectly captured the sentiment, asking, "What was it like to be with literally every single young man who would become the biggest male movie stars?" Lane's response, delivered with a laugh, was immediate and relatable: "It was hot! It was great."

Navigating a Sea of Future Superstars: Diane Lane on 'Too Much Testosterone'

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While the atmosphere was undeniably exciting, Lane quickly added a layer of honesty that any woman in a male-dominated environment can understand. She confessed that, at times, it was "too much testosterone for one girl." To cope with the high energy and intensity, Lane found herself needing to "keep to myself" and take moments away from the boisterous group. Despite the fun and excitement, she admitted, "I was definitely pinching myself. I was definitely overwhelmed."

Drew Barrymore, ever the empathetic host, completely got it, even quipping that The Outsiders was the movie that made her realize, "I like boys." It's clear that the film, with its raw depiction of youth, rivalry, and blossoming attractions, left a significant mark on many, including its stars.

Drew Barrymore: "What was it like to be with literally every single young man who would become the biggest male movie stars?"

Diane Lane: "It was hot! It was great. It was kind of…too much testosterone for one girl. So I kept to myself. But I was definitely pinching myself. I was definitely overwhelmed."

— On The Drew Barrymore Show

Francis Ford Coppola's Ingenious Directing Methods: Forging Authentic Rivalries

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It turns out that some of the on-set dynamics weren't just accidental. Director Francis Ford Coppola, known for his immersive and experimental approach, intentionally created an environment to help his young cast embody their characters' social divides. For those unfamiliar with the story, The Outsiders is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1964, and follows the intense rivalry between two groups: the working-class "Greasers" and the affluent "Socs."

Lane herself confirmed this during an interview on Andy Cohen Live in 2017. She revealed that the actors playing the wealthy Socs received a higher "daily stipend" than their Greaser counterparts. This subtle but effective move helped to generate a genuine sense of animosity and social stratification among the cast, mirroring the film's core theme.

Ralph Macchio, who played Johnny Cade (a Greaser), echoed these sentiments in a 2024 interview on Live with Kelly and Mark. He explained that Coppola, drawing from his theater background, loved to "create environments" that felt real. So, the Greaser actors were given rooms on lower hotel floors and their scripts were bound with simple ring clasps. Meanwhile, the Socs actors enjoyed rooms on the top floors and received fancy "leatherbound scripts." Macchio even recalled being given a task by Coppola to try and live off just $5 a day, all to help him truly understand his character's meager circumstances. Talk about method acting!

From Dusty Drive-Ins to Exclusive Perks: Unforgettable Moments on Set

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Beyond the social experiments, Lane also shared some vivid behind-the-scenes memories. She fondly recalled filming the drive-in cinema scene with C. Thomas Howell, who played Ponyboy Curtis. To create a realistic windstorm effect, the production team used massive fans and, believe it or not, cocoa powder to simulate dust! Lane reminisced, "By the end of the night, we would just be, like, white striping... We all looked tan and sweet." It sounds like a messy but memorable experience!

Being the "Socs of all Socs" and essentially the only female in the main cast came with its unique treatment. While Lane denied getting a separate hotel from the rest of the crew, she did admit to one rather impressive perk: a rental car! At just 17 years old, she was given a rental car, a privilege usually reserved for those 25 and older. She marveled, "I don't know how they pulled that off. It was 1982. It was a long time ago." It seems even then, Diane Lane was getting the VIP treatment!

A Piece of Cinematic History: Diane Lane's Treasured 'Cherry' Jacket Lives On

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Speaking of special treatment, during her chat on Live with Kelly and Mark, Lane also revealed a fantastic souvenir she kept from the set. Unlike most actors who might take a small prop, Lane walked away with a piece of her character's iconic wardrobe: her bomber wrap jacket!

She proudly detailed, "I still have the bomber wrap jacket. It says 'My Cherry,' and 'Lane,' and The Outsiders on the back." Imagine having that! She even mused about potentially donating it to the Smithsonian, though she joked, "I think they passed on it though. Good for me." Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos agreed it must be incredibly valuable, with Lane humorously adding that it's her "retirement plan" if needed. It's truly a cool piece of movie history that she's held onto for over four decades, reminding us all of the enduring legacy of The Outsiders and the unforgettable performance she gave as Cherry Valance.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Diane Lane and 'The Outsiders'

When did The Outsiders originally come out? The Outsiders was released in 1983. Who directed The Outsiders? The film was directed by the legendary Francis Ford Coppola. Where was The Outsiders set? The story takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1964. What's the core story of The Outsiders? It chronicles the intense rivalry between two youth gangs, the working-class Greasers and the affluent Socs, leading to dramatic conflicts and tragic events. Is Diane Lane's "Cherry" jacket from The Outsiders still around? Yes! Diane Lane revealed that she still owns her original bomber wrap jacket from the set, complete with her character's name and the movie title.