Sometimes, a film is nearly completed before the studio, director or producers decide to tear it apart and start over. Whether due to creative differences, test screening disasters or major behind the scenes shake ups, these films were reworked from scratch, sometimes for the better and sometimes leading to legendary Hollywood nightmares. Here are 12 films that were almost finished before being completely reworked.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, 2016 – A Darker, Grittier War Film Became a Blockbuster
Originally envisioned as a gritty war movie with a darker tone, Rogue One underwent major reshoots before release. Director Gareth Edwards’ vision reportedly lacked the blockbuster appeal Disney wanted, so Bourne filmmaker Tony Gilroy was brought in to rewrite and reshoot large portions of the film. The entire third act, including the now iconic Darth Vader hallway scene, was added in reshoots. While the final film was well received, many wonder what Edwards’ original cut looked like.
Justice League, 2017 – The Snyder Cut Controversy
After Zack Snyder stepped away from Justice League due to a family tragedy, Warner Bros. brought in Joss Whedon to finish the film. However, instead of simply wrapping things up, Whedon reworked huge portions of the movie, adding forced humor, cutting characters and reshooting scenes to lighten the tone. The result was a messy, inconsistent film that disappointed fans. Years later, the Snyder Cut was finally released in 2021, showcasing Snyder’s darker and more coherent vision.
The New Mutants, 2020 – Delayed and Reworked Beyond Recognition
Originally filmed in 2017 as a horror-focused X-Men spin off, The New Mutants was delayed multiple times and subjected to endless reshoots. Fox initially wanted a psychological horror film, but after Disney acquired the studio, the movie was reshaped into something more generic. By the time it was finally released in 2020, it felt like a Frankenstein creation of different ideas, leading to underwhelming reviews and a box office disaster.
Suicide Squad, 2016 – From Gritty Crime Film to Studio-Designed Popcorn Flick
David Ayer’s original version of Suicide Squad was reportedly a much darker and more character driven film. However, after Deadpool and Guardians of the Galaxy proved that humor heavy superhero films were successful, Warner Bros. demanded massive reshoots to inject more jokes, add a pop music soundtrack and lighten the tone. The final product felt disjointed, leading fans to campaign for the “Ayer Cut,” which still hasn’t been released.
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Sonic the Hedgehog, 2020 – The Internet Forced a Redesign
When Sonic the Hedgehog’s first trailer dropped, fans were horrified by Sonic’s disturbing, human like design. The backlash was so intense that the studio halted the film’s release, fired the original design team and spent months reworking Sonic’s look to be more faithful to the video games. This decision paid off, as the final film was well received and became a box office hit.
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World War Z, 2013 – An Entire Third Act Was Rewritten
Brad Pitt’s zombie blockbuster was originally supposed to have a very different ending. The first version of World War Z featured a massive, action packed climax set in Russia, where Pitt’s character would be forced into zombie fighting military service. However, test audiences hated this bleak ending, leading to a total rewrite and reshoot of the third act. The final version replaced the Russia sequence with a quieter, tension filled laboratory scene, which worked much better.
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Fantastic Four, 2015 – A Disaster from Start to Finish
Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four reboot was doomed before it even hit theaters. The original vision was for a grounded, sci-fi-heavy take on Marvel’s First Family, but after tensions between Trank and the studio escalated, Fox took control. Major reshoots completely changed the second half of the film and the final product was a joyless, unfinished looking mess. Trank later disowned the movie and it remains one of the biggest superhero flops ever.
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Toy Story 2, 1999 – Accidentally Deleted, Then Reworked
At one point during production, nearly all of Toy Story 2 was accidentally deleted due to a computer mistake. Pixar had no backup, but one employee had a personal copy at home, saving the film. However, the studio was not satisfied with the original version and ultimately rewrote much of the film, improving its emotional depth. The final version became one of Pixar’s greatest sequels, proving that sometimes, disaster can lead to greatness.
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Titanic, 1997 – An Entirely Different Love Story at First
James Cameron’s Titanic was initially envisioned as a more traditional disaster movie, with a greater focus on historical events rather than the romance between Jack and Rose. However, as filming progressed, Cameron decided to reshape the film into a tragic love story, rewriting key scenes and adding more intimate character moments. This decision helped Titanic become a record-breaking hit, cementing its place in cinema history.
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Solo: A Star Wars Story, 2018 – Fired Directors and a Total Overhaul
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were originally hired to direct Solo, bringing their improvisational, comedic style to the Star Wars universe. However, Lucasfilm executives were unhappy with their approach, fearing the film was becoming too goofy. The duo was fired late into production and Ron Howard was brought in to reshoot almost the entire movie. While Solo was not a total failure, its troubled production left audiences divided.
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The Emperor’s New Groove, 2000 – Once a Dark Disney Epic
Before it became a beloved comedy, The Emperor’s New Groove was meant to be a grand, dramatic musical called Kingdom of the Sun. The original story had Incan mythology, a tragic hero and songs by Sting. However, after test screenings and executive meddling, Disney scrapped most of the film, turning it into the wacky buddy comedy we know today. While Kingdom of the Sun was lost, The Emperor’s New Groove became a cult classic.
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Back to the Future, 1985 – A Different Marty McFly
Eric Stoltz was originally cast as Marty McFly and he filmed nearly half the movie before the filmmakers realized he was not the right fit. His performance was too serious for the comedic tone they wanted, so they made the bold decision to recast him with Michael J. Fox. Nearly every scene had to be reshot, but it paid off, Fox’s charm and humor helped make Back to the Future one of the greatest films of all time.
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Movies are an unpredictable business and these films prove that even near complete projects can be torn apart and rebuilt from scratch. While some reworked films turned out better, others lost their original vision in the process. Whether due to creative disputes, fan backlash or unforeseen disasters, these movies show that nothing is ever truly set in stone in Hollywood. Do you think any of these films should have stuck with their original versions?
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
12 Movies Where Supporting Actors Outshined The Lead
A great lead actor can carry a film, but sometimes, a supporting actor steals the show. Whether through a scene stealing performance, a breakout role or sheer charisma, these actors made such a strong impression that they overshadowed the main stars. Their unforgettable performances left audiences talking long after the credits rolled, proving that sometimes the best moments come from the sidelines. Here are 12 movies where the supporting cast completely stole the spotlight.
Read it here: 12 Movies Where Supporting Actors Outshined The Lead
15 Shockingly Close Calls: Actors Who Almost Played These Famous Movie Roles
Hollywood is a land of “what-ifs,” where talent, timing and luck collide to create unforgettable cinematic moments. Some actors land roles that feel like destiny, while others come shockingly close but miss out on iconic characters. These near misses in casting decisions have left fans wondering how different films would have been if the stars had aligned differently. Here are 15 instances where actors almost played famous movie roles and we cannot help but imagine how it might have turned out.
Read it here: 15 Shockingly Close Calls: Actors Who Almost Played These Famous Movie Roles
12 Films That Will Totally Change Your Perspective On Love
Love is not just about happily ever after, it is messy, complicated, heartbreaking, transformative and sometimes even completely unexpected. The best love stories do not just make us swoon; they challenge the way we think about relationships, devotion, sacrifice and self discovery. Whether it is through unconventional romances, heartbreaking goodbyes or philosophical explorations of love, these films will redefine your idea of what love really means.
Read it here: 12 Films That Will Totally Change Your Perspective On Love
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