List of abandoned and unfinished films

For this list of abandoned and unfinished films, an unfinished film is defined as one in which production began but did not finish. An abandoned film is defined as one in which production was cancelled during pre-production before any footage was shot, though a script exists and film crew including performers, directors and other positions have been hired.

Films may not be completed for several reasons, with some being shelved during different stages of the production. Some films have been shut down days into production. Other unfinished films have been shot in their entirety but have not completed post-production where the film is edited and sound and score added. This is different from unreleased films which are finished but have not yet been released and shown in theatres or released on DVD. In some instances these films cannot be shown due to legal reasons. Withdrawn films are similar except they did have brief showings but cannot be shown again, also usually for legal reasons.

According to the Film Yearbook, "history has shown that the unfinished film is with few exceptions designed to remain that way."[1] Exceptions do exist: these include Gulliver's Travels and The Jigsaw Man, both of which shut down when they ran out of funds but after a year or more found new financing and were able to finish shooting.

Unfinished films
Year of productionFilmDirectorScreenwriterProducerCastNotesRef
1922Number 13 (a.k.a. Mrs. Peabody)Alfred HitchcockAnita RossAlfred Hitchcock for Gainsborough PicturesClare Greet, Ernest ThesigerProduction stopped when funding ran out.
1927The AmericanJ. Stuart BlacktonMarian Constance BlacktonGeorge K. SpoorBessie Love, Charles RayUpon viewing the film, which had been made using the experimental Natural Vision process, producer Spoor decided the production was so bad that he would not release it.[2][3]
1931 Creation Willis H. O'Brien Story by Edgar Rice Burroughs Merian C. Cooper, David O. Selznick Ralf Harolde
1935–1937Bezhin MeadowSergei EisensteinIsaak Babel, Sergei M. Eisenstein, Aleksandr Rzheshevsky, based on a story by Ivan TurgenevV. Ya. BabitskyVitya Kartashov, Nikolai Khmelyov, Pavel Ardzhanov, Yekaterina Teleshova, Erast Garin, Nikolai Maslov, Boris Zakhava
1937I, ClaudiusJosef von SternbergAlexander KordaCharles Laughton, Emlyn Williams and Merle OberonProduction was dogged by ill-luck. A car accident involving Oberon caused filming to be abandoned.
circa 1967Kaleidoscope (a.k.a. Frenzy)Alfred HitchcockBenn LevyAlfred HitchcockConsiderable test footage was shot. Not to be confused with Hitchcock's 1972 film Frenzy.
1967Monsieur LeCoqSeth HoltIan McLellan Hunter, Zero MostelAdrian ScottZero Mostel, Julie Newmar, Akim Tamiroff, Ronnie CorbettOfficially abandoned due to "poor weather conditions"[4]
1971A Glimpse of TigerAnthony HarveyJack Brodsky, Elliott GouldElliott Gould, Kim DarbyBased on Herman Raucher's novel of the same title. Warner Brothers shut down the film being shot in New York City on Friday 6 March 1971.[5][6]
1972Game of DeathBruce LeeBruce LeeBruce Lee died during filming. Several years later a new story was crafted around the existing footage with other actors standing in for Lee.
1974–1975JackpotTerence YoungMillard KaufmanWilliam D. Alexander for Paramount PicturesRichard Burton, James Coburn, Charlotte RamplingRobert Mitchum was originally signed to co-star. Audrey Hepburn declined an offer to co-star. Burton played Reid Lawerence, an actor "paralysed by a falling lift." A media report claims that Burton would play an academy award-winning actor down on his luck who suddenly wins another academy award. The film was to be shot in Rome and Nice.[7] Another media report claims that the story was about "a famous actor" who "fakes a grave illness" to collect insurance money.[8] An article claims that "insurance swindle thriller" stalled due to a lack of funds.[9] Terence Young claimed that he could have finished the film if he could have gotten the three stars together for one more week.[1][10]
1975Bogart Slept HereMike NicholsNeil SimonHoward W. KochRobert De Niro, Marsha MasonProduction shut down after a week of filming, when Nichols realized that De Niro was unable to adjust his intense Method style of acting to Neil Simon's precise dialogue. Simon reconceived the story, which was filmed two years later as The Goodbye Girl.[11]
1975The New SpartansJack StarrettOliver Reed (as a Colonel), Susan GeorgeProduction shut down after nine days filming.[1][12]
1975Closed-Up Tight (a.k.a. Fermeture Annuelle)Cliff OwenProbably Peter Welbeck (a.k.a. Harry Alan Towers)Harry Alan Towers for Barongreen and Canafox Films (Montreal).Marty Feldman (cat burglar), Annie Belle (his daughter), Ron Moody, Robin Askwith, Terry-Thomas, Yvon Dufour, Jacques Dufilho.Production began in August 1975. Filmed for two weeks. A British-French-Canadian co-production. Rémy Julienne was stunt co-ordinator.[13]
1975Trick or TreatMichael Aptedbased on Ray Connolly's novelDavid Puttnam and Sandy Lieberson for Goodtimes Enterprises; also EMI Films and Playboy ProductionsBianca Jagger, Jan SmithersShot in Rome.[14]
1972–1976Vileness FatsGraeme Whifler & The ResidentsThe ResidentsThe ResidentsJay Clem, George Ewart, Marge Howard, Sally Lewis, Hugo Olson, Margaret Smik & Danny WilliamsFrom 1972 to 1976 multi-media group The Residents worked on a film called Vileness Fats. It was to be 'The Ultimate Underground film' and was teased in a number of their musical releases from that period, however in 1976 the project was unexpectedly abandoned by the group. In 1984 a short cut of scenes from the film was released on VHS as "Whatever Happened to Vileness Fats?"[15]
1975–1978The MicronautsDon Sharp, Richard Loncraine and othersJohn Gay, Gordon Williams and othersHarry SaltzmanGregory Peck, Lee Remick, James Mason, Honor Blackman, Stacy KeachSome test and special effects footage was shot. Principal photography did not begin. No scenes with the leads were shot.
1985The Two JakesRobert TowneRobert TowneRobert Evans for Paramount PicturesJack Nicholson, Robert Evans, Kelly McGillisShut down during production because of disputes between writer-director Towne and producer/co-star Evans. The film was eventually shot and released in 1990 with Nicholson directing; this version co-starred Harvey Keitel and Meg Tilly.
1988AtukAlan MetterTod CarrollElliot Abbott, Charles Roven, Don Carmody for United ArtistsSam Kinison, Christopher Walken, Ben AffleckBased on Mordecai Richler's 1963 novel The Incomparable Atuk. Apparently one scene was shot before Kinison demanded re-writes and the production was shut down.[16][17]
1990Arrive AliveJeremiah S. ChechikMichael O'Donoghue, Mitch GlazerArt Linson for Paramount PicturesWillem Dafoe, Joan CusackCancelled by Paramount executives after they watched the first few days of dailies.[18]
1991DylanDavid DruryJonathan BrettPatrick DromgooleGary Oldman, Uma ThurmanA biography of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, the film was shut down after nine days of shooting when Oldman "collapsed on the set," suffering from "nervous exhaustion."[19][20]
1997Broadway BrawlerLee GrantunknownJoseph FeuryBruce Willis, Maura Tierney, Daniel BaldwinA sport-themed romantic comedy about a washed up ice-hockey player. Production was halted after 20 days of principal photography due to an acrimonious relationship between Bruce Willis and director Lee Grant and other crew. The financial loss incurred by the production's implosion obliged Willis to take on three roles at reduced salary for the production company: Armageddon, The Sixth Sense, and Disney's The Kid.[21]
2001Lily and the Secret PlantingHettie MacdonaldLucinda CoxonSarah RadclyffeWinona Ryder, Gael Garcia BernalShut down after four days when Winona Ryder was taken to the hospital with "a gastric infection." Kate Winslet was announced as her replacement, but the film was never restarted.[22]
20041 AnunnakiJon GressJon GressJon GressChad Ayers, Steve Roth, John TrapaniNo funding[23]
2006Revenge of the NerdsKyle NewmanGabe Sachs and Jeff Judah, Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson, and Adam F. GoldbergAdam Brody, Dan Byrd, Katie Cassidy, Kristin Cavallari, Jenna Dewan, Chris Marquette, Ryan Pinkston, Efren Ramirez, and Nick ZanoA remake of the first film in the 1980s comedy series was canceled after two weeks of shooting, when Emory University officials read the script and revoked the permission they had given to film; studio executives were disappointed in the dailies.[24][25]
2012-201410 Things I Hate About LifeGil JungerJeannette Issa, Gil Junger and Tim McGrathAndrew Lazar, Tim McGrath and Gary SmithEvan Rachel Wood, Thomas McDonell, Billy Campbell and Élodie YungProduction began on this followup, not a sequel, to the popular teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You in late 2012; it was shut down a few months later after Smith abruptly resigned as head of the production company and Wood became pregnant. She returned briefly for an attempt to resume in late 2013, but left soon afterwards, claiming the producers had not raised enough money to pay her for the work she'd already done. A lawsuit against her by the studio remains unresolved and the film as begun will never be finished.[26]
2017GoreMichael HoffmanAndy PatersonMichael Hoffman and Jay PariniKevin Spacey, Michael Stuhlbarg and Douglas BoothBased on Jay Parini’s biography "Empire of Self: A Life of Gore Vidal", the movie was on post-production when Netflix decided to cancelled it following the sexual assault allegations against Kevin Spacey.[27]

Abandoned film projects: a partial list of more notable projects
Year production was expected to beginFilmDirectorScreenwriterProducerCastNotesRef
1966–1975The FreakCharlie ChaplinVictoria ChaplinThe Freak was an unfinished dramatic comedy from Charles Chaplin. The story revolved around a young South American girl who unexpectedly sprouts a pair of wings. She is kidnapped and taken to London, where her captors cash in by passing her off as an angel. Later she escapes, only to be arrested because of her appearance. She is further dehumanized by standing trial to determine if she is human at all. Chaplin began work in and around 1969 with his daughter Victoria in mind for the lead role. However, Victoria's abrupt marriage and his advanced age proved roadblocks and the film was never made.
1968–1969The Dolly, Dolly SpyDavid Greene (some sources claim "David Green") Adam Diment from his novelStanley Canter and Desmond Elliot for United ArtistsDavid Hemmings as Philip McAlpineProduction was to begin 15 November 1968.[28][29][30][31]
1969NapoleonStanley KubrickStanley Kubrick
1970The DancerTony RichardsonEdward AlbeeHarry SaltzmanRudolf Nureyev as Nijinsky, Claude Jade as Romola and Paul Scofield as DiaghilevProducer Harry Saltzman canceled the project during pre-production several weeks before shooting would begin. Saltzman claimed Albee's script was amateurish. Tony Richardson believes Saltzman used this as a pretext to avoid making the film. According to Richardson, Saltzman had overextended himself and did not have the funds to make the film. Saltzman eventually made the film in 1980 as Nijinsky directed by Herbert Ross.[32]
1972 The Phantom Versus the Fourth Reich Peter Sellers Was announced in The Victoria Advocate, but never saw the light of day. [33]
1975, more likely 1976The LimehouseErik Lee Preminger, based on the John Gardner novel The Return of Moriarty.Edgar Bronfman, Jr. (for Sagittarius Entertainment), Nat Cohen (for EMI Productions)Donald Sutherland as Professor MoriartyErik Lee Preminger bought the film rights.[34]

Money apparently fell through on first day of principal shooting.

The sets were allegedly used at a later date for The Seven-Per-Cent Solution.

Writer Bob Byrne also claims that he wrote several scripts for a possible television series.[35]

 [36]
1976–1979[37]Warhead (a.k.a. James Bond of the Secret Service)Len Deighton, Sean Connery, Kevin McCloryKevin McClory for Paramount PicturesSean Connery (reportedly being paid US$5M)[38]Financing and legal troubles doomed the project. McClory eventually licensed his rights to Jack Schwartzman who made Never Say Never Again which has an entirely different screenplay.[39][40]
1977NessieBryan ForbesLoch Ness Monster film.
1979 or 1980The Short NightAlfred HitchcockDavid Freeman from Ronald Kirkbride's novelAlfred Hitchcock for Universal StudiosProject cancelled due to Hitchcock's advanced years and ill-health.
1996The DoubleRoman PolanskiJeremy Leven (from the Fyodor Dostoevsky novel of the same name)Lili Fini Zanuck, Todd BlackJohn Travolta, Isabelle Adjani, John Goodman, Jean RenoTravolta reportedly stormed out of rehearsals thereby shutting down pre-production. Shooting to have begun in May 1996. Travolta was being paid US$17M. Robert Richardon was signed to photograph the film and Pierre Guffroy design the sets.

See also

References
  1. Clark 1983, p. 139.
  2. "Blackton Hits Spoor Claims". Hollywood Vagabond. Vol. 2, no. 2. October 6, 1927. p. 1.
  3. Dewey, Donald (April 15, 2016). Buccaneer: James Stuart Blackton and the Birth of American Movies. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 218. ISBN 978-1-4422-4259-3.
  4. "Monsieur LeCoq". IMDb. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  5. Haber, Joyce (8 March 1971). "Connery Back as 007; Jill St. John Co-Star". The Evening News. Newburgh, New York. p. 5B.
  6. "Elliott Gould: His Goodbye Was Longer Than He Planned". News.google.com.
  7. anonymous (7 October 1974). "Of Interest To Women". The Virgin Islands Daily News. p. 11.
  8. anonymous (27 December 1974). "Jackpot Shooting Begins". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan. p. 6.
  9. Otterburn-Hall, William (5 July 1975). "World of Stars: Young Connoisseur of Rough Years". The Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. p. 16.
  10. "Jackpot". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 2012-07-13.
  11. Levy, Shawn (Dec 28, 2014). "When Mike Nichols Fired Robert De Niro: Excerpt from 'De Niro: A Life'". IndieWire. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  12. "The New Spartans". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2012-07-20.
  13. "Closed Up-Tight". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2009-01-14.
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-05-27. Retrieved 2013-03-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. "Vileness Fats – Historical – The Residents". www.residents.com. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
  16. Pecchia, David (14 February 1988). "The Movie Chart". Los Angeles Times.
  17. "Atuk". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 2012-07-13.
  18. Linson, Art (1993). A Pound of Flesh. Grove Press. ISBN 0802115438.
  19. "Oldman's illness stops production of 'Dylan'". Baltimore Sun. April 24, 1991. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  20. van Gelder, Lawrence (February 14, 1991). "Oldman to Look Inward For His Role in 'Dylan'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  21. Bart, Peter (2000). The Gross: The Hits, the Flops-- the Summer that Ate Hollywood. St. Martin's Press. pp. 85–90. ISBN 9780312253912. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  22. "Lily and the Secret Planting (2001)". BFI. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  23. "1 Annunaki (2004)". BFI.
  24. "Naughty 'Nerds' remake is shut down - Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. November 23, 2006. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  25. LaPorte, Nicole; Alex Romanelli (November 21, 2006). "Atomic blast to 'Nerds'". Variety. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  26. Spence, Tony (February 4, 2021). "Why Producers Sued Evan Rachel Wood For $30 Million". The Things. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  27. Malkin, Marc (November 16, 2021). "Why Producers Sued Evan Rachel Wood For $30 Million". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  28. "Publishers Weekly". R.R. Bowker Company. 1 July 1968. p. 157. Retrieved 7 March 2019 – via Google Books.
  29. Steve (29 January 2012). "Bear Alley: Adam Diment". Bearalley.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  30. Canote, Terence Towles (30 May 2010). "A Shroud of Thoughts: The Mysterious Adam Diment". Mercurie.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  31. "New Society". New Society Limited. 7 March 1968. p. 683. Retrieved 7 March 2019 – via Google Books.
  32. Richardson 1993, p. 273.
  33. "The Victoria Advocate - Google News Archive Search". News.google.com. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  34. Hirsch, Foster (2011). Otto Preminger: The Man Who Would Be King. Random House. p. unknown. ISBN 9780307489210.
  35. "The Solar Pons Gazette" (PDF). Solarpons.com. December 2006. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  36. Kilday, Gregg (8 September 1976). "A Dream Movie From Altman". Los Angeles Times. p. E10.
  37. Film Bulletin, Volumes 47-48, 1978, page xxvii claims "aim is a spring '79 start"
  38. "New York". Newyorkmetro.com. New York Magazine Company. 11: 9. 1978. ISSN 0028-7369. LCCN 76012785.
  39. Total Film (27 February 2008). "The Lost Bond". Total Film.
  40. "James Bond's Scrubbed Bermuda Mission". Bernews.com. 9 February 2013.

Bibliography
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