10 Devastating Film Deaths That Came Out Of Nowhere

2. Wash - Serenity

As already established, Joss Whedon loves a dramatic, unexpected death, but killing off beloved character Hoban "Wash" Washburne was a step too far, and it's still a pretty major wound for fans.

Wash had been a main character of Firefly and seemed fairly well protected by the fact that he was the show's comic relief. The movie gives him a big hero moment too, saving the crew by crash landing safely after navigating a Reaver/Alliance battle, but then robs him the chance of enjoying it by firing a Reaver harpoon through Serenity's windshield and his heart. He dies, uttering his "I am a leaf on the wind..." mantra heart-breakingly.

What the hell, Whedon?

His death is precisely the reason why we shouldn't ever get any more Firefly or a Serenity sequel: it just wouldn't be the same without him.