Movie Characters Who Were Supposed to Die . . . But Didn't!

Throughout history, there have been numerous instances where a movie character was set up for DEATH . . . but ultimately saved by a script rewrite. Here are some of the most famous cases . . .

"Lethal Weapon 2": At the end of the movie, MEL GIBSON'S character, Martin Riggs, gets shot several times, "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" plays, and . . . HE LIVES.
Apparently, the producers decided they had a real franchise on their hands. (--There ended up being two more "Lethal Weapon" flicks.)

"Rocky 5": Rocky was supposed to die in his street fight with Tommy Gunn. SYLVESTER STALLONE thought better of it . . . and 16 years later, in 2006, he gave the character a much more respectable send-off with "Rocky Balboa".

"First Blood": In the original novel, John Rambo dies at the end. Stallone even filmed that ending. But ultimately, he decided to spare the character . . . and his bank account was most appreciative. Here's the alternate ending . . .



"Scream": DAVID ARQUETTE'S goofy cop character, Dewey, wasn't supposed to make it out of the first movie alive. Director WES CRAVEN actually shot the ending both ways: With him living and dying. For some reason, the decision was made to keep him around . . . and he'll be back for the upcoming "Scream 4".

"Return of the Jedi": Han Solo was NOT supposed to survive the "Star Wars" saga. The plan for the third film was to have Han's friends rescue him from Jabba the Hut . . . but for Han to later die in the raid on the Death Star. It was GEORGE LUCAS who nixed the idea. HARRISON FORD wanted Han to die, as did writer Lawrence Kasdan. Gary Kurtz . . . who produced the first two movies . . . recently said, quote, "George decided he didn't want any of the principals killed. By that time there were really big toy sales and that was a reason."

"Full Metal Jacket": MATTHEW MODINE'S character, Private Joker, ended up being the main character. But he was supposed to die when Private Pyle . . . played by VINCENT D'ONOFRIO . . . went postal. Modine himself convinced director STANLEY KUBRICK to keep him alive.