Top 10 Controversial Movies That Got CANCELLED
#10: “All-Star Weekend”
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Jamie Foxx's comedy has a fully-loaded list of talent, but it's unlikely anyone will see it in the near future. Meant to be an all-out comedy, the movie follows two basketball fans journeying to the NBA All-Star Game. Actors such as Robert Downey Jr. play other races in roles that surely would've provoked discussion, but it's unclear whether or not this is the ultimate factor in “All-Star Weekend” going unreleased. Foxx himself mentioned that the work is an attempt to fight the recent sensitivity surrounding making jokes. Until the filmmaker lets this project out of the bag, we’ll never truly know how much it pushes the boundaries.
#9: “Killing Winston Jones”
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Even with legends like Richard Dreyfuss and Danny Glover behind it, "Killing Winston Jones" disappeared before it got a chance to hit theaters. “That ‘70s Show” star Danny Masterson rounds out the cast, in a film that finished shooting back in 2012. The movie was never released and now carries some unwanted baggage in the form of Masterson's allegations. Initially slated for a 2014 release, the comedy hasn’t been heard from in several years. Director Joel David Moore has since been acting in the “Avatar” sequels, which have likely kept him occupied over the last decade. Given the ongoing legal trouble surrounding one of his actors, it’s unclear whether or not Moore will revisit the production any time soon.
#8: “Black Water Transit” (2009)
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Director Tony Kaye is known for his work on “American History X,” but his third film “Black Water Transit” has yet to see a proper release. The Laurence Fishburne drama was considered by the producers to be unfit for theaters. This wasn’t the only problem facing the filmmakers, as the movie’s production company faced lawsuits from investors. Attempts to reignite the project stalled after years of court battles for producer David Bergstein and associates. While Kaye moved on to other work, Bergstein was sentenced to eight years in prison for fraud committed in the early 2010s.
#7: “Broadway Brawler” (1997)
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During the 1990s, Bruce Willis was one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood. He decided to produce and star in the rom-com “Broadway Brawler,” but it didn’t take long before the set went haywire. The actor disliked the general direction of the project and had several key positions fired, including the director Lee Grant. Willis’ move wiped the slate clean and led to the entire film being shut down. As a result, the performer had to pay back Disney by taking other movie parts at a reduced rate. His brash actions ensured that one movie was canceled, but he landed on his feet with his next role in the blockbuster “Armageddon.”
#6: “Gore”
Right after filming finished on the movie “Gore,” the alleged stories of Kevin Spacey’s sordid past came to light. It was intended to be a biopic about the writer Gore Vidal, with the star playing the title role. Production might have been over, but everything else was put on hold following the accusations against the actor. Netflix officially distanced themselves from the project and it was considered canceled as of 2017. Other films and television shows followed suit, in some cases going to great lengths to edit Spacey out of the final product. There's no word yet on whether or not it will be resurrected.
#5: “Something’s Got to Give”
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In the final year of her life, Marilyn Monroe tried to star in the movie “Something’s Got to Give.” It was intended to be a remake of the classic comedy “My Favorite Wife.” Monroe was initially unable to consistently film the project due to health reasons and other setbacks, making the production particularly troublesome. This led to her being fired in what would be her last attempt at a screen comeback. Not long after being re-hired, the actress died of an overdose. This sealed the fate of the entire feature and it was only later that the studio revived the piece as “Move Over, Darling.”
#4: “The Day the Clown Cried” (1972)
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Delving into a story of an entertainer during the horrors of World War II, "The Day the Clown Cried" was poised to be Jerry Lewis' serious turn as a star and filmmaker. The comedian's project turned out to be a self-described dud that he didn’t want the general public to see. He gave remnants of the unfinished film to the Library of Congress, where it won't be able to see the light of day until 2024. After Lewis' death, there were renewed questions about its ultimate fate. One thing is for sure, the artist felt so badly about his efforts that he went out of his way to prevent its release during his own lifetime.
#3: “Being Mortal”
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Aziz Ansari was all set to direct the adaptation of Atul Gawande's "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End," but the filming didn't go as planned. According to reports, actor Bill Murray was harassing another member of the set in an apparent joke that went too far. Murray admitted to their being a misunderstanding without revealing many details. Nonetheless, production on the film was shut down and an investigation was made into the incident. The movie has not resumed as of 2023 and it's unclear whether or not it will go forward without significant changes.
#2: “I Love You, Daddy” (2017)
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Louis C.K. was riding a wave of success as a stand-up and television creator in the 2010s. His directorial effort "I Love You, Daddy" was poised to be his return to filmmaking, but it became entangled with a larger story about the comedian's alleged misconduct. Instead of giving the film a normal theatrical release, the distributor decided to shelve the movie as a result. C.K.'s career and reputation were already severely damaged by the accusations, virtually ending any chance for general audiences to watch the comedy. Critics who reviewed it were mostly mixed, if not downright negative, about the final product. It eventually became another example of an artist facing serious consequences in the MeToo era.
#1: “Midnight Rider”
This film about the life of musician Gregg Allman barely got started before tragedy struck the production. While filming on train tracks in Georgia, the crew realized that they were in the pathway of an oncoming locomotive. Fleeing personnel attempted to clear the site, but a camera assistant was killed in a resulting accident. It was later uncovered that the filmmakers didn't have authorization to shoot at that location, putting everyone in further danger and leading to criminal charges. The disregard for safety led to a senseless tragedy and eventually to the cancellation of “Midnight Rider.”
