From DeNiro's "you talking to me" to Pesci asking "why am I funny", sometimes movie scenes are best left unscripted.
Sometimes the best moments in life are those which are unplanned or unexpected and it seems this is also true in the movies. As it happens some of favorite movie scenes didn't exactly turn out as they were scripted, instead the actors had a moment of inspiration on set leading to some memorable movie magic. Here’s 10 of our favourite unscripted and improvised screen moments.
Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci in Goodfellas
Goodfellas
Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta were given free reign by Scorsese in their famous restaurant scene. Pesci based the entire exchange on a real life encounter he had with a gangster, where he made the mistake of telling him he was funny. All the dialogue was improvised and none of the other actors knew what was going to happen, making their reactions extra authentic.
The Shining
There’s no doubt that axe wielding Jack Nicholson chopping through a bathroom door in The Shinning is one of cinema’s most iconic scenes. But would it be so well remembered if it wasn't for Nicholson exclaiming Ed McMahon’s famous ‘Tonight Show’ catchphrase, “Here’s Johnny”? Maybe not, but rather than this being part of Kubrick’s original script, this line was actually an improvisation by Nicholson.
More: The movie quotes we just can't escape
The Dark Knight
Sometimes the most simple touches to a character are the most effective, as Heath Ledger proved more than once during his performance as the Joker. Once such moment, which was entirely improvised on Ledger’s part, was the infamous slow clap delivered from his jail cell. The improv was perfect for the character, creepy and very unsettling.
Zoolander
"Why male models?”, asks Ben Stiller’s Derek Zoolander, when David Duchovny is explaining the role of the fashion industry in political assignations. The question was so potent that even after Duchovny delivered the answer, Stiller asked again. The real reason behind Stiller’s repeat question was simply that he had forgotten his next line so he decided to repeat his last one. Duchovny ad-libbed with "Are you kidding? I just told you like a minute ago.” making one of the movie’s funniest exchanges.
Indy's Raiders of the Lost Ark fight once looked very different
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
It turns out that the one thing Indiana Jones can’t defeat is food poisoning. Ok this one might be more Harrison than Indy but it led to a last minute script change that created an iconic scene. Originally when Indy ran into the swordsman dressed in black the two were meant to have a long fight. But when Ford found himself struck down with a bout of food poisoning, he wasn't feeling up to too much action and the scene was changed. Thus Indy and his revolver made short work of the sword wielding villain.
Next: Jaws, Mars Attacks and The Empire Strikes Back go unscripted
It's been 35 years since Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi classic, which was set in 2019....
Officer K (Ryan Gosling) is an LAPD law enforcer and a new Blade Runner whose...
The official announcement trailer for 'Blade Runner 2049' is finally here and while we still...
Appealing both to a new generation of viewers and fans of the series since the...
After the victory of the Rebel Alliance over the Galactic Empire and subsequent demolition of...
It's been thirty years since the Rebel Alliance; led by the noble Luke Skywalker, the...
The cast and crew of the hugely anticipated upcoming 'Star Wars' movie 'The Force Awakens'...
Secret Cinema's Star Wars event is a mind-blowing experience of a lifetime for any Star...
Like Benjamin Button, this drama plays around with the human lifespan, is slickly produced and...
30 years ago, the Rebel Alliance struck their killing blow against the Galactic Empire. The...
The Rebel Alliance struck a terrific blow to the Galactic Empire with the destruction of...
The galaxy is in turmoil. A Rebel Alliance is rising up against the villainous Galactic...
The Rebel Alliance has fallen into an incredibly dark time. With the destruction of their...