There are some movies from Hollywood that will stand the test of time and will always be considered as exemplary cases in the film-making techniques for future generations to learn from. However, before making it to the big screen, many of these films had to face numerous challenges, delays, and even were ultimately not produced. Below is a list of 10 films that were almost discarded:
The Princess Bride (1987) – Director: Rob Reiner
The script and concept for this film were bought by Fox in 1973, but… it was completely forgotten and had to wait almost 15 years before it was finally produced.
Toy Story (1995) – Director: John Lasseter
Toy Story initially faced challenges and almost didn’t survive after its experimental screening failed to impress test audiences. The production process had to pause for a while, and a brilliant script rewrite was necessary to save this film from being labeled as “a lost cause.”
The Notebook (2004) – Director: Nick Cassavetes
The author of the novel “The Notebook,” Nicholas Sparks, initially had no intention of writing a sequel, but due to certain circumstances, he found himself compelled to write a book for his wife. The book became a major success, and Hollywood studios were immediately drawn to it.
Avatar (2009) – Director: James Cameron
Producers were initially hesitant to invest in a film with such a high budget, but director James Cameron had to present a 40-second demo of “Avatar” to prove that it was worth the investment.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006) – Director: Valerie Faris
After being rejected multiple times, screenwriter Michael Arndt, along with the production company Focus Features, managed to acquire the rights to make this film.
Back to the Future (1985) – Director: Robert Zemeckis
It took almost 4 years for the studio selection process, and the project was initially rejected before “Back to the Future” finally landed in the hands of producer Steven Spielberg, who helped the film get the green light from Universal Pictures.
Donnie Darko (2001) – Director: Richard Kelly
There was no clear release plan for “Donnie Darko” for a wide theatrical release. However, actress Drew Barrymore intervened with her own production company Flower Films and brought the film to the big screen.
The Wizard of Oz (1938) – Director: Victor Fleming
The script underwent numerous rewrites and passed through the hands of 3 different directors before it finally became one of the most iconic films of all time.
Star Wars (1977) – Director: George Lucas
George Lucas’s idea faced skepticism and a lack of funding, but 20th Century Fox decided to take a gamble on him, helping to create one of the largest film franchises in Hollywood history.
Waterworld (1995) – Director: Kevin Reynolds
Along with its extreme budget, leading actor Kevin Costner almost drowned during a storm, and the film faced a disastrous production phase, requiring a complete script rewrite and a new score to finally get released.
According to Hollywood
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