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11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script

Every director knows that their cast may decide to go off script when shooting a movie. Actors forget their lines, something distracts them or they may decide to spice things up just for the fun of it. Some scenes end up on the cutting room floor, whilst others make the grade.

Illustration : "11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script"
Photo d'illustration

Here are 11 scenes from well-known movies that were never in the script, including gag reel moments so cool that it would have been criminal to not include them in the final cut.

1. Pretty Woman - The jewelry box scene

Illustration de l'article : 11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script

© Touchstone Pictures

A classic Pretty Woman moment. Richard Gere (Edward Lewis) offers Julia Roberts (Vivian Ward) a stunning diamond necklace. The moment she goes to take it out of the box, Richard slams it shut. Unbeknownst to Julia, this was a practical joke, but her reaction was so natural that the director decided to include her endearing surprise in the movie.

2. The 40 Year-Old- Virgin - The chest waxing scene

Illustration de l'article : 11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script

© Universal Pictures

Yes, you guessed right, he did it! Steve Carell got into character and the cameras rolled whilst he had his first chest waxing session! Not expecting such a level of pain, his curses are genuine - although why he screams "Kelly Clarkson" is anyone's guess.

3. Dumb and Dumber - The hitchhiking scene

Illustration de l'article : 11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script

© New Line Cinema

Jim Carrey is famous for his ad-libbing and here's the proof! During the shoot, the directors would get the actors to follow the script and then do a second improvised take.

4. Bridesmaids – The plane scene

Illustration de l'article : 11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script

© Universal Pictures

It was McCarthy's idea to up the ante when she flirts with Air Marshall Jon during the plane scene. Being married in real life and completely at ease with each other, the result was hilarious - so much so that Ben Falcone had a hard time stifling his laugh when faced with his wife's incredible performance.

5. Ghostbusters (2016) - The interview

Illustration de l'article : 11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script

© Columbia Pictures

The scene where Chris Hemsworth is interviewed for the receptionist job was completely improvised with superb results. To avoid his glasses reflecting too much light, the production team decided to remove the lenses and Chris duly took them off when following script. Things got out of hand (excuse the pun) during this scene when he suddenly needed to scratch his eye and unwittingly produced one of the movie's best improvised moments.

6. Annie Hall – The sneezing scene

Illustration de l'article : 11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script

© United Artists

This epic scene is entirely due to Woody Allen sneezing unexpectedly. It was so brilliantly funny that the director kept it in the final cut.

7. This is 40 – The bedroom scene

Illustration de l'article : 11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script

© Universal Pictures

Rudd farted for real in bed! Even though the crew weren't impressed, Leslie Mann's reaction was a priceless piece of improvised cinema that made it onto the big screen.

8. Knocked up - The car scene

Illustration de l'article : 11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script

© Universal Pictures

6 minutes of improvisation heaven! Rogen and Rudd continued a joke they began in 2005 with the classic 'Know how I know you're gay' scene in The 40-year-old Virgin and did such a fine job that it was carried over to this movie. The director, Judd Apatow, knew how well they ad-libbed together, so gave them carte blanche for this scene.

9. Good Will Hunting – Farting wife scene

Illustration de l'article : 11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script

© Miramax Films

Robin Williams plays psychologist Sean Maguire in this movie and to put his patient, Will Hunting, at ease, he decides to talk about his private life. No one expected Williams to recall details about a former wife and her tendency to fart in bed! Matt Damon's reaction was completely natural and you'll even see the camera shake as the cameraman cracks up.

10. Zoolander – 'Why male models,' scene

Illustration de l'article : 11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script

© Paramount Pictures

David Duchovny replies to Ben Stiller asking "But why male models?" only for the funny man to repeat the question. A case of forgotten lines, as Stiller later admitted, but Duchovny took the bait and continued with "Are you serious? I just told you, like a minute ago".
The scene was kept as Stiller's character, Derek, is so dumb that this is the kind of thing he would have said!

11. This is 40 – The comparing bodies scene

Illustration de l'article : 11 famous movie scenes that were never in the script

© Universal Pictures

This scene was in the script, but the director wasn't sure if the actress would be happy undressing in front of the camera. That said Megan Fox was fine about being seen in her underwear and the rest is history!

Photo credit: Universal Pictures