Making a film is not an exact science, and sometimes even the best-laid plans can go awry. However, that doesn’t mean the final product isn’t worthy of praise. Here are nine movies that drastically changed during production, yet still became beloved classics.
1. ‘Commando’ (1985) – Originally centered on an Israeli soldier who resigned from violence, the movie was rewritten to feature Arnold Schwarzenegger as a lone wolf.
2. ‘Live Free or Die Hard’ (2007) – The film’s original title and plot were changed after the 9/11 attacks pushed production indefinitely.
3. ‘Pretty Woman’ (1990) – The romantic comedy was darker in its original script, featuring a young L.A. sex worker and her doomed relationship with a wealthy businessman.
4. ‘Last Action Hero’ (1993) – The movie was initially written as a parody of mainstream action films, but was reworked to become a classic adventure film.
5. ‘E.T.’ (1982) – Spielberg’s iconic story began as a family being terrorized by aliens, but evolved into a heartwarming tale of friendship and companionship.
6. ‘Con Air’ (1997) – The movie started as a small-budget drama-thriller, but was expanded to feature star-studded destruction.
7. ‘When Harry Met Sally’ (1989) – Rob Reiner’s personal experiences with love influenced the film’s script, resulting in one of the most iconic romantic comedies of all time.
8. ‘Child’s Play’ (1988) – The horror classic was initially a whodunit, but evolved into a tense and suspenseful tale of possession.
9. ‘Back to the Future’ (1985) – The sci-fi classic underwent significant changes before its release, including a major change in the design of the time machine.
These movies demonstrate that even drastic revisions can lead to something special. What’s your favorite movie that underwent dramatic changes during production?
Source: https://nofilmschool.com/movies-drastically-different-from-original-draft