6. Waterworld (1995)
Waterworld is perhaps unique in its standing as a film in which both Whedon wasn't credited,
and is a film that people are generally no longer talking about. Although he's stated that he only ever worked on projects that interested him as a writer, Whedon has also described working on Waterworld as "seven weeks of hell". For the most expensive film ever made at the time (the initial budget of $100 million eventually reached $175) you'd hope for better reviews than "It's one of those marginal pictures you're not unhappy to have seen, but can't quite recommend", but unfortunately Roger Ebert's is fairly accurate and about as generous as they get. Although the fresh perspective that script doctoring can bring is common in Hollywood, Waterworld's limited success is not altogether unsurprising when considering star and producer Kevin Costner also took over directing duties from Kevin Reynolds for the last two weeks of filming. Although reports differ as to which Kevin made this decision, it has been confirmed that it was Costner who dismissed the film's original composer, which lead to yet another role changing hands.
Whedon hallmark: "She's my friend" - Well known for his characters basing the idea of family on friends rather than relatives, here the Mariner gives his reason for rescuing Enola as having nothing to do with her link to the fabled "dryland".