10 Iconic Sci-Fi Movie Moments That Were Totally Improvised

8. Shirtless Goldblum - Jurassic Park

Will Smith Independence Day
Universal

Two words, one cult following: Jeff Goldblum.

No other actor has the same particular brand of manic muttering and offbeat charisma as this sci-fi veteran. If you aren’t sure of what “shirtless Goldblum” is referring to, what rock have you been living under since 1993? For whatever reason, a scene in Jurassic Park which features Goldblum’s character Dr Ian Malcom shirtless and injured on a table has fostered obsession in the recesses of the internet.

Perhaps it’s the needlessly sexual position Goldblum lies in or a random affinity for the actor’s bare chest, but for whatever reason, people love this scene.

The story goes that on set Goldblum had the idea that, since the film is set in Costa Rica and Malcolm is struck with a fever, he should “get some of [his] wet clothes off immediately.” When nobody “fought [him] on it,” Goldblum went ahead and exposed his chest in the now-iconic scene, and the rest is history.

People were so enamoured with this improvised moment, that in 2018 a giant statue of Dr Ian Malcom shirtless was temporarily erected in London. Why this obsession? Who knows, but one thing’s for certain: Goldblum is one hell of an improviser.

Contributor
Contributor

Dan is a writer and actor originally from South Australia who now lives in a constant state of anxiety... and Los Angeles. Whether writing about movies, watching movies, or binging the Great British Bake-off, Dan approaches any endeavour with a steely resolve which is rivalled only by his ability to lie about his strengths. For professional inquiries, call Melissa Cropley - Dan's mum; she wishes he would call more often and you'd really be doing him a favour.