Top 10 Movies that Started Shooting Without a Completed Script
Hollywood meltdowns and guerilla-style filmmaking come together in these motion pictures. Join http://www.watchmojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Movies That Started Shooting Without A Completed Script. For this list, we're focusing on feature films that entered principal photography without a final written version or screenplay in place. Documentary-style films like This is Spinal Tap are excluded for obvious reasons
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#10: “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (2009)
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When the screenwriters of the original “Transformers” film initially declined to work on the sequel, Michael Bay somehow convinced them to return. THAT was his first obstacle. Unfortunately, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman had little time to complete an outline as the 2007 Writers Guild of America Strike began in early November. Building off the duo’s basic framework, which was basically a treatment written in 2 weeks, Bay managed to write his own “scriptment” from that before the writers returned later on. Actor Shia LaBeouf has gone on record to state his frustration with the lack of material to work from.
#9: “Edge of Tomorrow” (2014) )
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Six months before Doug Liman began shooting this sci-fi thriller, he scrapped the majority of the original script and hired new writers to work on revisions. Brad Pitt had already declined the leading role, and Tom Cruise signed on to star as a man destined to experience death on the daily. As a result, Liman was introduced to fellow director Christopher McQuarrie, who took on the script and injected a little humor based on the Major’s odd circumstances. With no hard ending in place on day one of filming, the script was finalized on-the-fly… and what an ending it was.
#8: “Topaz” (1969) )
Alfred Hitchcock was nearing the end of his career in 1969, and one of his final films was based on a Cold War novel by Leon Uris. The American novelist was originally selected to adapt his own work for the big screen, but he abandoned the project after numerous disagreements with the famous English director. Incidentally, Hitchcock scrambled for a new writer and settled on the co-writer of his classic 1958 film “Vertigo.” Faced with a looming shooting schedule, “Topaz” entered production without a final script, and three separate endings were filmed.
#7: “Alien 3” (1992) )
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For almost two decades, David Fincher has been directing first-rate films, and while his 1995 thriller “Seven” wasn’t technically his debut, he probably would like to considers it as such after becoming the final scapegoat for the ill-fated third installment of the “Alien” franchise. Fincher has since distanced himself from “Alien 3” – a film that began without a script after years of pre-production chaos. Cyberpunk author William Gibson once worked on the script, Renny Harlin gave it a shot as well and acclaimed director Walter Hill was even hired for that special something. Unfortunately for Fincher, he was forced to write his own revisions for a most turbulent directorial debut.
#6: “Men in Black 3” (2012) )
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Several writers were hired to work on round 3 of Barry Sonnenfeld’s trilogy, but one year after pre-production commenced, the film began shooting without a second or third act. Why? Well, to take advantage of New York City tax breaks, of course. Some actors and actresses would completely melt down under such a scenario, but the likes of Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin helped Sonnenfeld triple the 215-million dollar budget. No script? No problem!
#5: “Jaws” (1975) )
Originally hired to play a local newspaper editor in this ‘70s classic, Carl Gottlieb was later asked by director Steven Spielberg to re-write the film. Not only did he add some comedy to the story, he even reduced his own acting role within the film. AND – he did all this while principal photography was already in-progress. Night after night, Gottlieb worked away and collaborated with Spielberg and the actors to find the right dialogue, and the infamous John Miliuswas brought on in order to tighten up the script. Gottlieb later wrote a book about his rather unique experience on “Jaws,” which still manages to make us laugh on dry land and freak out in the water.
#4: “Gladiator” (2000) )
After a couple of screenwriters entered and subsequently left this historical picture, Russell Crowe and his fellow cast were faced with an evolving script at the time of shooting. Some versions were simply too blunt while others lacked depth, and so William Nicholson was hired to create a spiritual element for Maximus Decimus Meridius. You might say that Russell Crowe was a tiny bit irritated with the lack of material and actually wrote some of his own dialogue that made the final version. Who would’ve imagined that such a grand film was a complete disaster behind the scenes? Well, it all worked out, and “Gladiator” won five Academy Awards.
#3: “Iron Man” (2008) )
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Back in 1990, Universal Studios acquired the rights to adapt Tony Stark for the big screen and later hired Nick Cassavetes to direct the film. But when everything went sour, Marvel jumped in and tabbed Jon Favreau to guide the action. After compiling various scripts, the director changed gears and took on a more realistic approach for the character. Shooting ultimately began without a final script, and the actors were intentionally instructed to improvise for a more natural effect. Favreau pulled it off and landed another gig for the sequel.
#2: “Sunset Boulevard” (1950) )
Now here’s a classic case of Hollywood deception based on a classic film about… Hollywood deception. By 1950, Austrian-American director Billy Wilder was already somewhat of a Hollywood legend, and he systematically fooled the movie studios by delaying the completion of his script. With a plot revolving around the film industry and an aging, disillusioned actress, Wilder covered up the true nature of his film and cautiously submitted script material piece by piece to Big Brother. In the end, “Sunset Boulevard” was immediately applauded as a timely classic and remains one of the best films of all-time. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. - “Boyhood” (2014) - “Jurassic Park III” (2001) - “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” (2006) - “Sabrina” (1954)
#1: “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962) )
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Less than ten years after being blacklisted from Hollywood for being a Communist, Michael Wilson was hired to write a film based on the life of T. E. Lawrence. Despite his undeniable talent, director David Lean was less interested in the historical aspect and more concerned with taking a poignant look at the subject’s character. After hiring an interim writer who contributed little to the project, Lean hired Robert Bolt to add more depth to the dialogue. By this time, “Lawrence of Arabia” was already in production, however, the foundation was in place for one of cinema’s most admired pieces of work. Do you agree with our list? What is your favorite movie that started shooting without a completed script? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
