The Most Absurd Deleted Scenes of All Time
Deleted scenes on a DVD are a curious feature, because they come with an implicit disclaimer: "Hi! These scenes were deemed NOT NECESSARY TO THE MOVIE or NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ACTUAL MOVIE, WHICH YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN. (beat) Okay, enjoy!"
For every rare deleted scene that is actually funny or interesting-say, Boogie Nights' "John C. Reilly Files" or the scores of improvised outtakes in Anchorman-there are a half-dozen more that leave you wondering not only "Why is this scene included on the DVD?" but "Why was this scene ever SHOT in the first place?"
Here are five deleted scenes that we can't believe were ever shot in the first place, along with our guess as to why they were shot and why they were deleted.
5. The Giant Octopus Attack
Movie: The Goonies
Director: Richard Donner
Why this scene was deleted: Because having a giant killer octopus appear in the final act of a movie that, up to that point, had at least pretended to exist in the real world, makes absolutely no fucking sense. If Donner had ended his next film, Lethal Weapon
Also, by cutting the infamous octopus scene and leaving in Data' line later in the movie that confusingly refers to it ("The octopus was very scary!"), Donner was able to push his apparent belief that Asians are prone to exaggeration and not to be trusted, an agenda he was able to further explore in Lethal Weapon 4, quite possibly the most racist movie ever made.
4. Cameron Crowe Wants You to Watch People Listen to Music
Movie: Almost Famous
Director: Cameron Crowe
Why this scene was deleted: Because in this scene the young wannabe rock critic wins over his skeptical mother by making her listen to the poetic majesty of Stairway to Heaven"¦a song that Crowe wasn't able to license for use in the movie. Which is thankful, because even with the music dubbed in, the scene is incredibly boring. The above YouTube clip features Stairway dubbed in, but we wish Crowe had actually left the original scene in the movie, sans music, as eight minutes of these characters rocking out to awkward, awkward silence.
Why this scene was ever shot: Because no one on set had the balls to tell Crowe, "Hey Cam, I know this movie is based on your childhood, and that playing Stairway is actually what convinced your mom to let you write for Rolling Stone
This scene was an early sign of Crowe' increasing belief that directing a movie means filming actors sitting around while good music plays in the background. Had Crowe deleted every scene like this from his next two movies, Vanilla Sky
3. Jim Carrey Gets Jealous
Movie: Bruce Almighty
Director: Tom Shadyac
Why this scene was deleted: Because having Jim Carrey' "God" make Steve Carell' rival news anchor burst into flames seems remarkably sadistic for what is otherwise a fairly innocuous comedy. Not to split hairs, but we're pretty certain that lighting someone on fire constitutes attempted murder. And the nosebleed thing is just creepy. It' tough enough to root for a character played by Jim Carrey in the first place. Having him try to kill off the only talented guy in the cast half way into the film would have made it impossible.
2. Jared Leto is TOO Funny
Movie: Phone Booth
Director: Joel Schumacher
Why this scene was deleted: Jared Leto has actually claimed in interviews that the reason this scene-and with it his entire role-was cut out of the movie is because it was "too funny." A claim that, while hilarious in its own right, sounds very much like the studio trying to let him down easy: "Oh, no, Jared-you were great. In fact, you were"¦TOO good. Yeah, just TOO FUNNY. I mean, you're Jared Leto-you can't NOT be funny!" They should have included footage of that phone call as an extra feature. Now THAT would have been funny.
1. Kevin Smith is TOO Funny
Movie: Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Director: Kevin Smith
Why this scene was deleted: Because just before the movie was released it was discovered that this monologue, in which Jay gives graphic description of a series of vulgar sex acts, had appeared almost verbatim in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Why this scene was ever shot: Because Kevin Smith is an auteur and asserts creative control over every aspect of his films, meaning he can write, direct and star in as many scenes that feature the phrase "tongue my bung" as he sees fit.
