Movie test audiences are the bane of filmmakers’ existence, but, unfortunately, movie studios swear by them. Studios often use a test audience to gauge a reaction, positive or negative. Usually, these free screenings occur in malls and movie theaters around the country where ordinary folks can voice their opinion.
Studios may demand changes based on negative feedback, often to the filmmaker’s dismay. In fact, bad feedback in a screening can mean that a movie needs to be completely overhauled and reshot. Sometimes, the results are better and sometimes they’re worse. Historically, the ending is usually the most reshot/retooled part of a movie, since it leaves the greatest impression.
10 Not Improved – Snake Eyes
Snakes Eyes tells the story of a detective played by Nicholas Cage, who is investigating the murder of a political figure at a boxing match as a hurricane barrels down on the venue. Director Brian De Palma saw the hurricane as a metaphor for the washing away of “corruption,” and intended to include a huge tidal wave at the film’s conclusion.
Producers forced De Palma to remove the CGI tidal wave sequence after early previews. However, a dialogue reference to the exorcised sequence was left in the movie’s final scene as the long-take-loving De Palma crafted a final shot he was unable to splice.
9 Improved – The Long Kiss Goodnight
The Long Kiss Goodnight is an underrated Shane Black-written Christmas action movie with Geena Davis as an amnesiac former assassin, who partners up with a detective, played by Samuel L. Jackson.
At the movie’s conclusion, Jackson’s character is fatally shot. However, test audiences weren’t having it. So, filmmakers shot a new ending with Jackson surviving his wounds and saving the day, proclaiming to the baddies, “You can’t kill me, motherfu**ers!” Jackson has since said this was his favorite role, and, perhaps it’s because audiences demanded that he lives.
8 Not Improved – Election
Election ends with Matthew Broderick’s character, Mr. McAllister, becoming a New York City Museum tour guide following the school election scandal. Sometime later, he spots his former nemesis, Tracy Flick, with a politician, clearly having gained ground in life, prompting McAllister to throw his drink at her car in disgust and run away.
This ending was created after test audiences rejected the source novel’s ending of the now car salesmen Mr. McAllister and Tracy settling their differences. Strangely, this ending’s existence was not known until an early workprint of the film was discovered at a yard sale in a box of old VHS.
7 Improved – Jaws: The Revenge
Jaws: The Revenge had many issues that couldn’t be fixed, and the ending is one of them. Originally, it ended with a boat’s prow stabbing the killer shark, causing it to sink below the ocean, and pulling the boat down with it.
However, given the franchise’s history, audiences demanded an explosion. The result is incomprehensible, as the prow stabs the shark and then the shark blows up, inexplicably, due to emissions from an electrical impulse device used to make it crazy.
6 Not Improved – Little Shop Of Horrors
Little Shop of Horrors originally ended with an absolutely gonzo finale inspired by the 1950’s B-horror movies it was parodying. Originally, the monstrous alien plant Audrey II eats the main characters, and more Audrey II plants grow to enormous proportions. In a 23-minute ending, the invading giant plants overtake Earth and battle with the military.
Despite the expense of shooting this massive sequence, audiences hated the apocalyptic ending, so filmmakers shot a happier ending for the main characters. Originally thought lost, the bleak-but-incredible alternate ending was eventually restored for the DVD.
5 Improved – The Shawshank Redemption
Originally, the ending to the classic film had Morgan Freeman’s character, Red, traveling to the Mexico border to “hopefully” meet up with his friend, Andy. This ambiguous ending was more in line with the theme of the movie, however, test audiences wanted more.
So, director Frank Darabont shot a tag to the ending where Red and Andy reunite on a Mexico beach. While the filmmakers were initially against this upbeat ending, audiences loved it, and it ultimately became part of the movie’s enduring popularity.
4 Not Improved – Anchorman
It may be the first time it ever happened, but Anchorman’s rejected ending became its own movie. An Anchorman subplot revolves around the news team covering the story of a pregnant panda, and the movie’s ending takes place in a zoo awaiting the panda’s birth. Originally, Anchorman’s plot revolved around the news team investigating a group of bank robbers, and its ending culminated with a hostage situation.
However, test audiences hated this storyline, so the entire subplot was removed and replaced with the weak panda storyline. Eventually, all the deleted footage was edited and released on DVD as its own movie called Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie.
3 Improved – Fatal Attraction
Oscar-nominated Fatal Attraction ends with Michael Douglas’ character Dan fatally shooting Glenn Close’s psychotic Alex after she attacks his family. However, originally, Alex commits suicide but makes it seem like Dan murdered her, for which he is then arrested.
Negative audience reaction to this bleak ending prompted a reshoot. Initially, Glenn Close refused to shoot a new ending but relented, and even though she was against it, she admits that the movie may otherwise not have been as popular with audiences or given them the catharsis they wanted. While the new ending is more satisfying, the original darker ending is absolutely chilling and an example of Glenn Close’s enormous talent.
2 Not Improved – I Am Legend
I Am Legend concludes with Will Smith’s Robert Neville sacrificing himself to destroy a horde of vampires so others can escape their clutches. It’s a typical Hollywood ending, and a departure from the book. Test audiences prompted this ending’s creation, however, in doing so, changed the entire point of the story.
Like in the original Richard Matheson book, Robert Neville discovers the reason the vampires are after his character is that they are afraid of him since he spends most of his time hunting them down. Essentially, Neville realizes he was the villain all along, hence the title, I Am Legend. The original ending features him discovering this and leaving them alone, but the new ending retained Neville as the hero and the story lost its depth.
1 Improved – Goodfellas
Goodfellas is considered a classic and an example of director Martin Scorcese’s genius. However, one of its most genius creative choices was actually the result of a test screening. Goodfellas was Scorcese’s first experience with test screenings and, supposedly, 40 people walked out due to the violence.
They also hated the film’s overly long final act depicting a crazy day in drug-addicted Henry Hill’s life. So, Scorcese went in and shortened the sequence using a series of jump cuts. These jump cuts became part of the movie’s acclaim, as the cuts matched Henry’s manic mental state. This style became a benchmark in film editing and contributed to Goodfellas’ status as a masterpiece.
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