# Alternate Endings **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 22, 2012, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606 "2012-02-22T05:48:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/1 "2012-02-22T05:48:03Z")
I often see newly released DVD’s advertised on TV that include “alternate endings”. I just saw one for the movie “Tower Heist”. Presumably, alternate endings are scripted, shot and then audience tested to see which one elicits the best response. If my assumption is true how often are alternate endings made for major Hollywood movies? Is it really as common as it appears? ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/2 "2012-02-22T06:18:04Z")
or is this a classic case of “confirmation bias”… ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/3 "2012-02-22T13:30:27Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I often see newly released DVD’s advertised on TV that include “alternate endings”. I just saw one for the movie “Tower Heist”. > > Presumably, alternate endings are scripted, shot and then audience tested to see which one elicits the best response. If my assumption is true how often are alternate endings made for major Hollywood movies? Is it really as common as it appears? I don’t think it’s extremely common, but it’s not especially rare. There have been a lot of well-publicized cases. Off the top of my head, besides _Tower heist_, that you mention: **I Am Legend** – the original, more faithful to the story ending didn’t play well **Lucky Lady** – 175 comedy that originally had a downbeat ending – [Lucky Lady (1975) - Trivia - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073317/trivia) **Terminator 2** – Cameron’s original ending, with Connor as a politician, was axed.It’s watchable as an extra on DVD **Forbidden Planet** – a scene with Altaira wedding Commander Adams was filmed. There’s a still extant that has been published in _Cinefantastique_, but AFAIK, no footage of it exists. **Invasion of the Body Snatchers** – the original Don Siegel version from the 1950s. It was supposed to end with Kevin mcCarthy wandering the highway and shouting futilely at the cars “You’re next!” The "hopeful ending, with McCarthy in the hospital with a pre-Dick van Dyke Richard Deacon, and the news that a crashed truck full of pods was found, alerting others to the danger, was tacked on later. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/4 "2012-02-22T13:39:43Z")
**Star Trek: Generations** originally had an ending where Kirk was shot in the back. After testing, they decided to drop a bridge on him instead. In general, one ending is shot and is shown to test audiences. If the reaction is unfavorable, they get everyone back to shoot a new ending. It’s been done for decades. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/5 "2012-02-22T15:02:50Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > **Invasion of the Body Snatchers** – the original Don Siegel version from the 1950s. It was supposed to end with Kevin mcCarthy wandering the highway and shouting futilely at the cars “You’re next!” The "hopeful ending, with McCarthy in the hospital with a pre-Dick van Dyke Richard Deacon, and the news that a crashed truck full of pods was found, alerting others to the danger, was tacked on later. More still, they added a prologue, framing story and narration. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/6 "2012-02-22T15:10:45Z")
**Paranormal Activity** had an alternate ending. Problem is, I can’t remember which of the two endings was which. :o ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/7 "2012-02-22T15:42:26Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > In general, one ending is shot and is shown to test audiences. If the reaction is unfavorable, they get everyone back to shoot a new ending. It’s been done for decades. Really? I didn’t realize these alternate endings were done after post since I would think it would be difficult to reassemble the principal actors months after a movie was wrapped. Don’t most working actors tend to go from movie to movie with not a lot of time in between? ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/8 "2012-02-22T19:06:41Z")
One of my favorite films: **Hell In The Pacific** originally had a subdued, perfect ending. (It’s an extra on the DVD.) It was replaced by a ham-fisted “statement” ending that jarred the viewer out of the story. Huge mistake, in my opinion. . ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/9 "2012-02-22T19:28:35Z")
There are two alternate endings on the DVD for _Army of Darkness_. > **[Army of Darkness (1992) ⭐ 7.4 | Comedy, Horror](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106308/)** > > 1h 21m | R > **[Army of Darkness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_of_Darkness)** > > Army of Darkness\[a\] is a 1992 American dark fantasy horror comedy film directed, co-written, and co-edited by Sam Raimi. The film is the third installment in the Evil Dead film series and the sequel to Evil Dead II (1987). Starring Bruce Campbell and Embeth Davidtz, it follows Ash Williams (Campbell) as he is trapped in the Middle Ages and battles the undead in his quest to return to the present. > The film was produced as part of a production deal with Universal Pictures after the financial suc... According to Wiki, Sam Raimi filmed a post-apocalyptic ending with Ash waking up in a world gone to hell, but the producers didn’t like it and forced a second ending, where Ash is explaining his exploits in S-mart, and a woman gets possessed by a demon, and Ash has to slay her. The movie _Clue_ had three possible endings. I think all three were actually shown. > **[Clue (1985) ⭐ 7.2 | Comedy, Crime, Mystery](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088930/)** > > 1h 34m | PG In theory, it is more difficult to round up actors after principle shooting has finished. I think it’s probably embedded in contracts that if, for whatever reason, refilming is required, the principle actors have to fit it in. Or something. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/10 "2012-02-22T19:30:10Z")
The original ending for \*\*\*Clerks \*\*\*had Dante being shot dead during a robbery. _ **Army of Darkness** _ has an alternate ending with Ash waking up very far into a post-apocalyptic future. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/11 "2012-02-22T19:32:34Z")
_ **Little Shop of Horrors** _ From wiki: > [@](#): > > In one of the most famous changed endings, the original conclusion to the off-Broadway musical was filmed and preferred by Frank Oz the director and the majority of the actors. However, test audiences disliked how Audrey and Seymour, the main protagonists, were both killed by the evil alien plant, and the ending had to be re-shot so that their deaths were removed. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/12 "2012-02-22T19:35:26Z")
_28 Days Later_ had two alternative endings on the DVD I watched, one that was filmed and the other that was only on storyboards. [SPOILER]In the first, Jim doesn’t survive. Selena was talking to a chicken while she was sewing the “Help Us” banners in the farmhouse kitchen, and later, it’s only her and the girl that’s spreading them out. In the second storyboard one, Frank is saved by a complete blood transfusion from Jim, and they leave him infected and strapped to a table.[/SPOILER] Wiki says there were three alternative endings but the DVD I saw only had the two I mention. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/13 "2012-02-22T19:39:39Z")
**Ronin** had an alternate ending where DeNiro is at the cafe talking to Jean Reno, who says “she’s not coming back,” DeNiro agrees, then it shows that Dierdra actually does show up, decides not to go in, then is grabbed and thrown in a van while men say “This is how we handle traitors!” or something like that. It’s on the DVD. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/14 "2012-02-22T22:20:55Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > _28 Days Later_ had two alternative endings on the DVD I watched, one that was filmed and the other that was only on storyboards. > > [SPOILER]In the first, Jim doesn’t survive. Selena was talking to a chicken while she was sewing the “Help Us” banners in the farmhouse kitchen, and later, it’s only her and the girl that’s spreading them out. > > In the second storyboard one, Frank is saved by a complete blood transfusion from Jim, and they leave him infected and strapped to a table.[/SPOILER] > > Wiki says there were three alternative endings but the DVD I saw only had the two I mention. The third is after the gate crash, Jim is injured and the girls rush him to a hospital and try to save him. He dies and the two girls continue on. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/15 "2012-02-22T22:24:13Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > **Terminator 2** – Cameron’s original ending, with Connor as a politician, was axed.It’s watchable as an extra on DVD Well, I don’t know about _watchable_… ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/16 "2012-02-22T23:18:06Z")
I think both “A Fish Called Wanda” and “Fierce Creatures” are noted for having redone the endings after bad test audience response. I don’t know if any footage of either unused ending is available anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/17 "2012-02-23T01:38:25Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Really? I didn’t realize these alternate endings were done after post since I would think it would be difficult to reassemble the principal actors months after a movie was wrapped. Don’t most working actors tend to go from movie to movie with not a lot of time in between? The actors’ contracts specify they will be available for reshoots. Usually, there are only a couple of scenes needed, so it can be done in a few days. If they’re on another production, the director will shoot around them; he won’t stop the actors from doing the reshoots because he may need them himself. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/18 "2012-02-23T02:12:50Z")
Tremors. The ending of the original cut had Val saying a plain old goodbye to Rhonda. The test audiences, who loved the film and had really gotten into it, were yelling “Kiss her!”; the director brought Finn Carter and Kevin Bacon back to reshoot the finale with a big Hollywood kiss ending. It works, too. . ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/19 "2012-02-23T02:29:33Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > The movie _Clue_ had three possible endings. I think all three were actually shown. > [Clue (1985) - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088930/) > > I Yep, you could tell which theater was showing which by a letter code. A fourth one was filmed as well, but dropped. > [@](#): > > There was actually a fourth ending scripted and shot, in which Wadsworth committed all the murders out of a twisted need for perfection in his life. He reveals that he poisoned everyone with a slow-acting toxin in their drinks. It ended with Wadsworth being killed by dogs as he attempted to escape by car from the house. The rather grim nature of the ending is probably why it was never released. It was never shown because the film makers thought the ending would have been too obvious - it only survives in the novelization and the storybook, which features but a single photo from that ending (the Chief punching Wadsworth in the stomach). From the IMDB entry. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606/20 "2012-02-23T03:31:03Z")
_Scott Pilgrim vs the World_ had an alternate ending where Scott ends up with Knives instead of Ramona. I started a thread about it because I felt this ending profoundly altered the entire story. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-endings/613606.md?page=2)