Making It Up On The Spot
Some of the most iconic and unforgettable movie lines were completely improvised. Without these unscripted moments, these scenes just wouldn't be the same.
"He stole my line."
Robin Williams was a master of improvisation, so it's no surprise that he ad-libbed the poignant final line of Good Will Hunting. According to Matt Damon, Williams' character wasn't supposed to say anything after reading the letter.
"You can't handle the truth."
In A Few Good Men, Jack Nicholson was supposed to say, "you already have the truth," but he switched it up a bit. The resulting line is now a classic quote from cinema.
"You're gonna need a bigger boat."
Few know that this famous line from Jaws wasn't originally in the script. It was actually inspired by an inside joke that transpired behind the scenes... Apparently, the production team was trying to use a boat that wasn't big enough.
Actor Roy Scheider tested the line out in a few scenes until he finally landed on the right context for it—the iconic scene that ultimately made the final cut.
"I'm the king of the world."
One of the most exhilarating moments from Titanic is when Leonardo DiCaprio's character stands at the ship's bow, spreads his arms, and yells, "I'm the king of the world." However, this wasn't in the original script.
Director James Cameron later explained, “It was made up on the spot. It was just coming up snake eyes, and I said, ‘Alright, I’ve got one for you. Just say, 'I’m the king of the world,' and just spread your arms out wide and just be in the moment and just love it and just celebrate it and love it.’ And [Leo] goes, ‘What?’”
"I'm funny how? I mean, funny like I'm a clown?"
Joe Pesci's famous line from Goodfellas was made a part of the script after he improvised the scene with Ray Liotta. The material was actually inspired by one of Pesci's personal anecdotes—and director Martin Scorsese thought it would be a good story to add to the film.
Joe Pesci's now-famous rant in Goodfellas was based on a story from his real life. He partially improvised the scene with Ray Liotta, while the other actors had no idea what they were in for.
"Tears in rain..."
For his monologue in Blade Runner, Rutger Hauer decided to tweak the original script without telling anybody. When it was time to film the scene, he delivered what is now considered one of the greatest death monologues in movie history:
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe... Attack ships on fire off (the) shoulder of Orion... I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain... Time to die."
After he finished his performance, crew members applauded and some even wept.
Warner Bros. Blade Runner (1982)
"Alright, alright, alright."
This one line in Dazed and Confused helped usher Matthew McConaughey into the world of Hollywood in 1993. Initially, he wasn't even meant to act in this particular scene. Thankfully, the director decided to include him, giving him just half an hour to get ready for it.
Gramercy Pictures, Dazed and Confused (1993)
"Here's looking at you, kid."
Would it really be Casablanca without Humphrey Bogart's epic line at the end of the film? Not quite.
This classic line was actually improvised by Bogart—but it wasn't the first time he'd said it to Ingrid Bergman. Off screen, while teaching her to play poker, he would tell her the same thing.
Warner Bros. Casablanca (1942)
"Hssssssssssss"
Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar for his chilling performance in Silence of the Lambs. In one of the film's most iconic moments, Hannibal Lector talks about eating a human liver: "I ate his liver with some fava beans, and a nice Chianti." Hopkins expertly followed this line with an unscripted, hissing sound.
Orion Pictures, The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
"Here's Johnny!"
One of the most memorable lines from The Shining is when a deranged Jack Nicholson says, "Here's Johnny." In fact, that entire scene has become a defining visual from the film. However, Nicholson completely improvised the line.
Apparently, the scene was difficult for him to get right, and he reportedly broke 60 doors in the attempt. Even wilder? The line almost didn't make the final cut.
Warner Bros. The Shining (1980)
"I'm in a glass case of emotion."
With a star-studded cast of comedians, Anchorman was likely full of genius imrovisations. However, it was Will Ferrell's scene in the telephone booth that took home the crown.
DreamWorks, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
"I'm walking here."
Even people who haven't seen Midnight Cowboy will say this famous quote. But according to Dustin Hoffman, he came up with the line on the spot. The scene itself was what he called a "stolen shot" because the film had a low budget and couldn't afford that many extras.
During the first take, a taxi began moving before the light changed. Describing the experience, Hoffman said, "I wound up saying, ‘I’m walkin’ here!’ But what was going through my head is: ‘Hey, we’re makin’ a movie here!...'"
Jerome Hellman Productions, Midnight Cowboy (1969)
"I know."
It always bothered me that Han Solo says "I know" in response to Princess Leia telling him she loves him. Turns out, this was because Harrison Ford didn't think it was in his character to simply say, "I love you too."
Twentieth Century, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
"Are you talking to me?"
To those who think Robert DeNiro is an overrated actor, just remember that his famous monologue in front of the mirror in Taxi Driver was completely improvised. In the script, it simply included the direction, "speaks to himself in the mirror." Out of this, we get the very quotable line, "Are you talking to me?"
"Well, I must say I'd hoped for better."
During the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2, Ralph Fiennes—who played Voldemort—would improvise during rehearsals. The line, "Well, I must say I'd hoped for better," was an improvised part from Voldemort's grand speech that ultimately made the final cut.
Warner Bros. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
"I need a vacation."
Arnold Schwarzenegger is known for his epic one-liners—but most don't know that, "I need a vacation," from Terminator 2 was all his doing.
Carolco Pictures, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
"Molly, you in danger, girl."
Whoopi Goldberg ended up taking home an Oscar for her performance in Ghost. She also just happened to improvise this memorable line.
"It's a fine line between stupid and clever."
This Is Spinal Tap is filled with so many improvised lines—the three actors earned themselves writing credits.
Goldcrest Films International, This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."
In The Godfather, Richard Castellano was supposed to simply say, "leave the gun." Of course, the scene wouldn't be the same without the actor's added contribution, "Take the cannoli."
Paramount, The Godfather (1972)
"I'm singing in the rain."
During the chilling home invasion scene in A Clockwork Orange, Malcom McDowell decided to break into song, belting out "Singin' in the Rain." Stanley Kubrick was such a fan of the improvisation, he kept it in the movie.
Warner Bros. A Clockwork Orange 1971
"I don't care."
Tommy Lee Jones tweaked one of his lines in The Fugitive. In response to Harrison Ford claiming his innocence, he was supposed to say, "That's not my problem," but instead, he went with, "I don't care."
Warner Bros. The Fugitive (1993)
"And he invented the mobile disco."
Shaun of the Dead had an unforgettable, improvised scene. Simon Pegg was in stitches after hearing Nick Frost's ad-libbed descriptions of the pub patrons.
Universal, Shaun of the Dead (2004)
"I wish I had a theater that was only open when it rained."
In the 1982 comedy Tootsie, Bill Murray came up with some brilliant lines for a scene. He had to make it seem like his character had been sitting all night at the same table, just continuously talking.
Columbia Pictures, Tootsie (1982)
"I don't want to go."
If you aren't one for spoilers, don't read on. In Avenger: Infinity War, Tom Holland improvised Spider-Man's tragic last words. Director Joe Russo just gave him free reign. The only direction he gave Holland? To act like he wasn't prepared to lose his life.
Marvel, Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
"I would be proud to partake of your pecan pie."
There are a few delightful improvisations in the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally, including the classic deli scene, as well as a scene where Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan's playfully banter.
Castle Rock Entertainment, When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
"I'm a zit. Get it?"
In Animal House, John Belushi improvised the scene where he pretends to be a human zit.
Universal, National Lampoon's Animal House 1978
"You're an errand boy sent by a grocery clerk."
Marlon Brando had a pretty bad reputation on the set of Apocalypse Now. He always came to set unprepared, having not memorized his lines. Therefore, he would often improvise.
American Zoetrope, Apocalypse Now 1979
"What hump?"
In Young Frankenstein, Marty Feldman ad-libbed this hilarious line, pretending that he was oblivious to his own hump.
Crossbow Productions, Young Frankenstein 1974
The Whisper
Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson improvised one of the most memorable scenes in Lost in Translation. In a scene where they were supposed to just hold hands, they shared a kiss instead. But that wasn't all. Murray also whispered something in Johansson's ear. Since then, neither actor has divulged the words Murray whispered.
Focus Features, Lost in Translation (2003)
"I'm hearing this, and I want to hear this."
Emily Blunt took inspiration from a moment she witnessed in real life: a mother interacting with her daughter in a store. She used the line she overheard the mother say in one of her scenes in The Devil Wears Prada.
Dune Entertainment, The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
"Picture a girl who took a nosedive from the ugly tree."
This unique line was improvised by Matt Damon in Saving Private Ryan.
Paramount, Saving Private Ryan (1998)
"Uh-oh. Somebody found a souvenir."
In Bridesmaids, Melissa McCarthy must have had a ball acting alongside Ben Falcone, her real-life husband. She improvised some pretty raunchy lines during the flight scene with him.
"She talks in her sleep."
Sean Connery improvised this one in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and the line reportedly had everyone on set laughing.
Paramount, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
"I've been impaled."
Josh Gad voiced one of the most beloved characters in Frozen, the snowman Olaf. However, Gad was reportedly shocked that his improvised line, "I've been impaled," made the final cut.
"I'm keeping it real."
In Clueless, Donald Faison improvised a line that he'd overheard a kid say in his own neighborhood. He believed it would give his character a genuine reaction.
"Game over, man. Game over."
After Bill Paxton ad-libbed this line in Aliens, director James Cameron thought it was worth keeping in the movie.
Twentieth Century, Aliens 1986
"I didn't know you could read."
For such a young actor, Tom Felton really knew his character and improvised a brilliant line that made the final cut of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
