10 Deleted Scenes That Would Have Improved Movies
Moments that would have made everything better...
It has often been said that when making a film you actually write the movie three times; in the script, on the set, and in the editing bay. The editing of a film is no easy task and consists of combing through hundreds of hours of footage to find the best rendition of each few seconds of screen time and then carefully sewing them all together. And then hopefully, once it is all said and done, it isn't garbage.
During that process, crucial decisions are made every moment as to what footage does and does not go into the film. Sometimes this results in entire moments or sequences from the film being cut for one reason or another. Perhaps the filmmaker didn't feel they needed it, perhaps it ruined the pacing, or perhaps it was a mandated studio cut that absolutely ruined the film, who knows?
In the fervor of editing, a simple momentary lapse of judgment can lead to some of the best work being left on the cutting room floor. If these scenes had been left in, they would have added a lot...
10. The Incredible Hulk: Alternate Opening
The original opening for the MCU's take on the big green guy opened with a much more somber moment of character analysis.
Bruce Banner hikes to the top of a mountain ridge, where he takes out a revolver and proceeds to attempt to blow his brains out. However, he Hulks out before he gets the chance and the Hulk angrily smashes the mountain ridge, causing an avalanche.
This scene is a great encapsulation of the entire Banner/Hulk dynamic that it is shocking it was left out. What makes it all the more shocking is the fact that later films would even go on to reference this moment. Joss Whedon clearly also felt the scene shouldn't have been deleted, as he canonized its events by having Banner deliver a monologue in Avengers, retelling the incident to the others.
This film was released in the very early days of the MCU, so maybe the still-forming brand simply didn't want to start a film out on such a downer note. Regardless, had this scene been left in it would have given viewers a better understanding of Banner and Hulk as characters and better informed the entire rest of the film.