While movie audiences often enjoy a good, happily ever after movie conclusion, there are many films that almost had a much darker conclusion. alternative endings than they ended up receiving. Whether it was an actually filmed ending or just an idea conceived during pre-production, many films have almost had much darker conclusions than the version audiences ended up seeing in theaters. This is an interesting example of how much films can change over the course of their production, and although the final product seems so definitive, films are subject to serious changes long after the initial scripts have been written.
Some of the best films of all time have surprisingly alternate endings that point to the darker sides of the narrative. In some cases, this has included characters who later led sequels and franchises dying prematurely, meaning that if the alternate ending had been used, the series would have ended at that point. While the public can argue about which version would have been betterAll of these alternate endings were much darker and more sinister than the one that finally made it to theaters.
10
28 Days Later (2002)
Jim dies
28 days later was one of the greatest zombie films of all time and helped reinvigorate the genre for a new generation of viewers. As a realistic representation of a post-apocalyptic landscape 28 days later saw a man named Jim wake up from a coma only to discover that the world had been ravaged by a zombie outbreak and society had completely collapsed. While in the theatrical ending, Jim survives to the end and will appear in the highly anticipated 2025 sequel, 28 years laterThis could have been a very different story.
28 days later there was not one, but three alternative endings, which were included in the film's DVD extras. This ranges from Jim succumbing to gunshot wounds and even waking up to discover the entire outbreak was a dream. Another alternate ending, which was not filmed and presented through storyboards, saw Frank survive and Jim give him a blood transfusion to save his life. While it is interesting to imagine how the legacy of 28 days later would have changed if these had been used, the film's place among the greatest zombie films of all time stands out.
9
Army of Darkness (1992)
Ash Williams sleeps a lot of time
Sam Raimi evil Dead the franchise became one of the longest-running horror series ever made, and Bruce Campbell's portrayal of Ash Williams made him a true cinematic icon. The third film in the series, Army of Darknessexplored a dark fantasy style by transporting Ash to the Middle Ages, where he battled undead creatures on an epic journey to return to his own time. As an exception in this horror series, it seems appropriate that Army of Darkness It has two different endings.
The theatrical ending saw Ash returns to his timeline and accidentally recites the words from the Necronomicon once again. while trying to tell his story to customers at the S-Mart supermarket where he worked. However, the alternate ending featured an even darker tone, as Ash took too much of the sleeping potion, which caused him to wake up in a post-apocalyptic future England. As Ash shouted, “I slept a lot!” before the credits rolled, it seemed like he had accidentally sent himself on another death-defying adventure.
8
Clerks (1994)
Dante Hicks was murdered
Kevin Smith's debut film Clerks was a landmark release of independent cinema in the 1990s and kicked off the View Askewniverse by introducing the world of lazy employees Dante and Randall, as well as the iconic stoner duo Jay and Silent Bob. As a hilarious depiction of a day at the Quick Stop Groceries store, the hilarious customer interactions and everyday frustrations meant viewers could quickly connect with Smith's absurd depiction of retail life. Clerks ended on a joyful note as Dante and Randall reached the end of a busy work daybut this was almost too different.
The original ending of Clerks continued after its final scene and featured a robber entering the Quick Stop after it was closed and shooting Dante as he stole from the cash register. Smith himself said he wrote this version because he didn't know how to finish the film (via Mental Thread), and after early viewers were unhappy with this version, he remade the film so that it wouldn't end on such a negative note. The original ending of Clerks was included in the tenth anniversary special edition Clerks and it is easily accessible to viewers who want to see it.
7
Die with a Vengeance (1995)
John McClane goes full vigilante
The third film in Die Hard The franchise saw John McClane (Bruce Willis) once again involved in a mission to stop a terrorist group wreaking havoc. This time, it was an East German group that planted bombs throughout New York City and plotted to steal gold bars from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Die with strength and revenge featured McClane facing Simon (Jeremy Irons), Hans Gruber's brother, and eventually taking him down as he shot his helicopter out of the air with a pistol.
However, a much darker alternate ending saw Simon escape, but McClane catches up with him months later to play a unique game of Russian roulette that he calls “McClane says.” McClane then asked Simon riddles similar to those he was asked in New York.and when he missed, it forced him to fire a rocket launcher that killed him. This dark moment of vigilante justice was an intense look into McClane's darker side as he strived to cold-bloodedly kill the man who had wronged him.
6
Finding Dory (2016)
Fish end up in an aquarium
The long-awaited sequel to the beloved Pixar classic Finding Nemo saw Ellen Degeneres return as amnesiac fish Dory on a journey to find her long-lost parents. With stunning animation and a story that captured the touching sentimentality of the original, Finding Dory was another familiar entry in Pixar's incredible catalogalthough real-life problems meant its original ending had to be tweaked. Finding Dory originally completed with the fish ending in a marine park similar to SeaWorld.
However, the release of the documentary black fish in 2013 caused the Pixar team to rethink aspects of Finding Dory conclusion. black fish showed the negative impact of captivity on orcas at SeaWorld, so instead of the fish permanently ending up in a marine facility, the story was restructured so that the fish had the option to leave if they wanted. This change has shown the complex real issues at the heart of life under the sea, as human interference, overfishing and intrusion into the natural order of aquatic creatures have had a real impact on ocean life.
5
First Blood (1982)
John Rambo is killed
First Blood
First Blood is an action thriller film starring Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a Vietnam War veteran who goes to Hope, Washington, in search of an old friend. However, he is mistreated by the local sheriff, leading to a violent confrontation that sets off a chain of events, forcing Rambo to rely on his combat skills to survive.
- Director
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Ted Kotcheff
- Cast
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Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Brian Dennehy, Bill McKinney, Jack Starrett, Michael Talbott
The action thriller First Blood was the first entry into Rambo series and gave Sylvester Stallone yet another iconic role alongside his career-defining performance as Rocky Balboa. First Blood starred Stallone as John Rambo, a Vietnam War veteran who suffers from PTSD and whose war flashbacks trigger a massive manhunt by the police and government to take him down as he uses his combat skills to survive in the woods of a small town . While First Blood ended with Rambo alive and well, the alternate ending was much darker.
First Blood It was based on a novel by David Morrell where Rambo didn't make it out alive, and the film's filmed alternate ending saw Rambo killed by his former mentor, Sam Trautman. After being captured, Rambo did not go peacefully and took Trautman's M1911 pistol and silently called for death, saying, “You trained me, you made me, you will kill me. You owe me this.” Although Trautman seemed like he was going to turn down Rambo's appeal, he pulled the trigger and, if this version had reached theaters, it would have effectively ended the Rambo series with its first entry.
4
Get Out (2017)
Chris Washington is arrested
To go out was one of the most impactful horror films of 2017 and signaled the emergence of Jordan Peele as an important new voice in cinema. Before the release of To go outPeele was known for his comedic work as one half of Wrench and peelerand this film showed his knack for deeply compelling horror that was not only scary but also socially and politically relevant. To go out addressed issues of race and class in a way few films have before, and the ending of Chris making it out alive was a welcome revelation after all the terrible incidents that preceded it.
However, To go out it had two alternative endings and neither of them were good for Chris. Peele's initial plan was to have two police officers stumble upon a blood-soaked Chris strangling Rose and being arrested, which would have worked as a dark but thought-provoking look at how marginalized identities are unfairly seized, in this case for a clear-cut case. . of self-defense. Another alternative ending that was not filmed would have Chris being recaptured and undergoing the transplant procedure, being trapped in “The Sunken Place” and having his body used by one of the Armitages.
3
The Lion King (1994)
Scar wins the final battle
The Lion King remains one of Disney's most beloved animated films and perhaps the definitive release of the Disney Renaissance. With a story loosely based on the work of William Shakespeare Villagethe timeless themes of betrayal, family and madness meant that The Lion King it was a children's film with all the depth and nuances of the greatest works of literature. For this reason, The Lion King has endured for the past three decades, although it's difficult to say whether that would have been the case if the alternate ending had made it into the final version.
The dark alternative ending of The Lion King still featured Simba's climactic battle against Scar, but this time, instead of ambiguously falling to his death on Pride Rock, Scar's defeat was much more evident. While in the original The Lion KingScar's death was implied but not shown; in this ending, he was engulfed in flames, and little was left to the imagination regarding his gruesome death. As a film loved by young children around the world, it was a wise decision on Disney's part to leave Scar's fate in the hands of viewers' imaginations and avoid children's nightmares.
2
Paranormal Activity (2007)
Katie is shot by the police
The horror of the images found Paranormal Activity was a surprise success that managed to raise an astonishing US$194.2 million (through The Numbers) against its initial production budget of just $15,000. This independent film was picked up by Paramount after some successful festival screenings, although before it received a widespread release, the studio cut the original ending and added new scenes for an additional cost of $200,000. The theatrical conclusion of Paranormal Activity I saw the possessed Katie give a demonic growl and the screen went black.
However, the original ending of Paranormal Activity it was much darker, as he saw two police officers enter the house and find Katie possessed along with the bodies of the deceased. It was at that moment that Katie suddenly returned to her normal self and a police officer panicked and shot her dead. Although this ending was presented at the 2007 Screamfest Film Festival, it was never officially released by Paramount, although it was leaked online.
1
Pretty Woman (1990)
Edward Lewis leaves Vivian Ward
The classic 90s romantic comedy beautiful woman told the strange story of a Hollywood prostitute and a rich businessman who fall in love. Starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in the lead roles, this unconventional love story was originally conceived as a cautionary tale about class and sex work, though it was soon reimagined as a more typical tale of two people with opposing lifestyles who fall in love. . The almost fairytale conclusion of beautiful woman tied it all up with a heartwarming happily ever afteralthough it was an almost much darker story.
The original ending of beautiful woman saw Edward throw Vivian out on the street with the $3,000 he had promised her. This change would have taken all the joy and hope from beautiful woman. Rather than being a romantic classic, this would have revealed that the couple's arrangement was a simple business transaction and that Edward had merely used Vivian for his sexual gratification. About that alternative ending may have had some merit in spreading a message about the dangers and underbelly of prostitution, it certainly wouldn't have turned Roberts into the mainstream movie star she became upon its release.