BEHIND THE SCENES
Did you know De Niro improvised the most iconic line in Taxi Driver?
Published on June 9, 2024
Credit: Jon Tyson
Have you ever had an unexpected adventure or a spontaneous moment that turned out to be unforgettable? Well, that's exactly what happened in these famous movie scenes that became iconic moments in film history.
Some actors have a magical touch that goes beyond their acting skills, being able to create moments that stick in your memory, even though they were never part of the script.
Join us as we uncover these 10 completely improvised moments and lines that stole the show!
"Here's Johnny!"- The Shining (1980)
Credit: Padraig O'Flannery
It is no secret: Jack Nicholson is one of the most talented actors of all time, and the evidence is everywhere you look.
A big piece of evidence is the fact that one of the most famous lines in movie history came from his brilliant mind. The mythical "Here's Johnny!" from The Shining (1980) was entirely crafted by Nicholson as it wasn't found in the film's script or Stephen King's original book.
Yet, the actor's creativity, coupled with Kubrick's directing expertise, transformed that scene into an emblem of horror cinema.
"You're gonna need a bigger boat"- Jaws (1975)
Credit: Gerald Schömbs
Who could ever forget the legendary shark from Jaws (1975)? With its huge mouth and sharp teeth, it frightened even the bravest spirits. So, when faced with the movie's formidable sea monster, actor Roy Scheider couldn't help delivering this creative line.
"You're gonna need a bigger boat," as later revealed, was a line used as an inside joke by the cast and crew, as the boats on which they did the actual filming were quite small. Thus, Scheider took the phrase and perfectly placed it within the film, even though it wasn't originally scripted.
"Here's looking at you, kid"- Casablanca (1942)
Credit: Auke Bakker
If you are reading this article, chances are you've watched the masterpiece Casablanca (1942). And you probably know that one of its countless iconic lines was a spontaneous creation of the talented Humphrey Bogart.
The well-remembered line "Here's looking at you, kid" came out of Bogart's mouth and perfectly fit the moment. It worked so well that it was named the greatest-ever movie line by Premiere Magazine.
But here's a fact: the movie's script was not yet finished when filming began.
The lineup scene- The Usual Suspects (1995)
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While the famous lineup scene in The Usual Suspects (1995) was in the script, the actors’ fits of laughter were completely improvised. Or should we say, impossible to hold back!
As revealed by the film's screenwriter, Christopher McQuarrie, it was a small accident that caused laughter among the actors: let's just say one of them accidentally let out... a gas.
However, that spontaneous moment added a touch to the scene, and that shot ended up making the final cut.
"I'm the king of the world!"- Titanic (1997)
Credit: K. Mitch Hodge
Have you ever taken a cruise? If you're on the bow, your hair in the wind, you probably can't resist the impulse to imitate Leonardo DiCaprio, delivering that iconic line from the now classic Titanic (1997).
But, if it weren't for the actor's genius, the famous "I'm the king of the world!" would not have reached us, as it was not in the movie's script!
Sure, standing in front of the vast ocean may make you feel all-powerful, but DiCaprio's brilliance took it a step further and made up those lines while filming in a studio setting!
Leonardo's hand- Django Unchained (2012)
Credit: Caleb Fisher
Leonardo DiCaprio's talent for improvisation isn't just a thing of one time. From Titanic when he was just a twenty-something, to his more mature roles in films like the western Django Unchained (2012), Leo's talent always shines.
In Django, DiCaprio once again showed his acting skills, moving through unexpected turns like a champion.
During a passionate monologue, Leonardo DiCaprio's character slams his hand down on a table, and he actually cuts himself. Blood begins to dribble, but he incorporates the accident into the scene, as part of the plot. That's a mark of true talent!
"You can't handle the truth"- A Few Good Men (1992)
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From The Simpsons to Scary Movie, numerous series and films have quoted this iconic line from A Few Good Men (1992) that has become a pop culture hit!
But if it weren't for Jack Nicholson in his performance as Colonel Nathan R. Jessup, this memorable phrase from the famous courtroom scene wouldn't have had the same impact or recognition that it has today.
The actor took a simple line from the script, "You already have the truth," and transformed it into the legendary, "You can't handle the truth." It's proof of Nicholson's genius!
"Hey! I'm walking here"- Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Credit: Jon Flobrant
A gem of American cinema, Midnight Cowboy (1969) is a perfectly crafted masterpiece acclaimed by critics and audiences alike.
But even in this great classic, there's room for spontaneity. In fact, one of the most memorable moments in the movie wasn't even in the script. While playing the con man Ratso Rizzo, Dustin Hoffman found himself in the middle of real New York City traffic during filming. When a taxi unexpectedly went too close, Hoffman's instinctive response was perfect: "Hey! I'm walking here."
Chest-pounding scene- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Credit: Chris Li
Leonardo is back once again. This time, joined by the incredible Matthew McConaughey. Together, they delivered one of the best moments of 21st-century film history: the unforgettable chest-pounding scene in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).
Turns out this bizarre gesture is something McConaughey often does before filming his scenes. But it was Leonardo DiCaprio who saw this spontaneous act and suggested incorporating it into the film's well-known scene. The eccentric nature of the characters allowed for this twist, which was accepted and appreciated by the director.
But wait, there's more! Believe it or not, part of the dialogue between the two characters was also unscripted.
"You talkin' to me?"- Taxi Driver (1976)
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Martin Scorsese, the successful director, revealed that one of the most famous lines in Taxi Driver (1976) and why not, in world cinema, was improvised by Robert De Niro.
The iconic "You talkin' to me?" monologue was not in the script; it was a spontaneous creation of the actor during the filming of the exceptional mirror scene. It's the small details like these that make Taxi Driver a true classic and Travis Bickle an unforgettable character.
Naturally, this role made De Niro earn an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.