The 20 Lost Scripts of Hollywood’s Greatest Unmade Movies

1. “Napoleon” by Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick’s “Napoleon” is often whispered about in Hollywood as the ultimate “what if.” Kubrick, known for his obsessive attention to detail, spent years researching every aspect of Napoleon Bonaparte’s life. He reportedly amassed thousands of index cards with historical facts and anecdotes, planning to make the film the most accurate depiction of Napoleon ever attempted. The script was as ambitious as the man himself, promising grand battles and intimate moments alike. Ultimately, major studios balked at the projected costs, especially after the commercial failure of Sergei Bondarchuk’s “Waterloo” in 1970. The loss of financial backing killed the project, leaving a gaping hole in film history. Kubrick’s notes and research were later passed to Steven Spielberg, who has been developing a miniseries based on the unused material, keeping the legend alive for a new generation.

2. “Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Dune”

Few unmade films have sparked such intrigue as Alejandro Jodorowsky’s “Dune.” In the 1970s, the visionary Chilean director assembled an outrageous creative team: H.R. Giger for art direction, a soundtrack by Pink Floyd, and a cast featuring Orson Welles and Salvador Dalí. Jodorowsky’s script stretched far beyond the source material, aiming to turn Frank Herbert’s classic into a mind-bending, psychedelic epic. Studios, however, balked at the enormous scope and spiraling budget. Without financial backing, the project collapsed, but its influence is undeniable. Many of its creative team went on to shape “Alien,” and echoes of its design and ambition can be found in “Star Wars” and other classics. The making—and unmaking—of this film became a legend, explored in the documentary “Jodorowsky’s Dune” (2013).

3. “The Crusade” by Paul Verhoeven and Arnold Schwarzenegger

In the early 1990s, Paul Verhoeven and Arnold Schwarzenegger nearly joined forces for “The Crusade,” a dark, violent medieval adventure. Written by Walon Green, acclaimed for his work on “The Wild Bunch,” the script followed a cunning conman (Schwarzenegger) who manipulates his way into joining the Crusades. The project was set to push boundaries with its gritty realism and controversial themes. However, the estimated cost was sky-high, and the subject matter—mixing religious conflict and explicit violence—was deemed too risky for studios. The film was dropped before shooting began, leaving fans to wonder what a Schwarzenegger-led, Verhoeven-directed medieval epic might have looked like.

4. “Alien 3” by William Gibson

Cyberpunk pioneer William Gibson was tapped in the late 1980s to write a new chapter in the “Alien” saga. His script for “Alien 3” dove deep into Cold War paranoia, featuring bioengineered horrors and political intrigue on a space station. Gibson’s vision was radically different from the films that came before, injecting a bleak, cerebral edge to the horror franchise. However, studio executives weren’t sold, opting for a more traditional approach that led to David Fincher’s eventual version. Gibson’s script, though never filmed, was adapted into a popular comic and an audio drama, allowing fans to experience his unique interpretation of the “Alien” universe.

5. “Superman Lives” by Kevin Smith / Tim Burton

The story of “Superman Lives” borders on the surreal. In the 1990s, Warner Bros. hired Kevin Smith to pen a new Superman screenplay, with Tim Burton set to direct and Nicolas Cage attached as the Man of Steel. The film was to feature wild concepts, including an iconic battle with a giant spider—a demand from producer Jon Peters. Creative differences abounded, with Smith, Burton, and Peters at odds over the film’s tone and direction. The chaos ultimately led to the film’s cancellation, leaving behind a treasure trove of bizarre concept art and costume tests. The saga was later chronicled in the documentary, “The Death of ‘Superman Lives’: What Happened?”

6. “The Hobbit” by The Beatles and Stanley Kubrick

In one of the strangest intersections of music and film, The Beatles once tried to make a movie version of “The Hobbit,” with Stanley Kubrick as their top choice to direct. John Lennon was eager to play Gollum, Paul McCartney fancied himself as Frodo, and the whole band wanted to bring Tolkien’s world to life with their own unique style. However, J.R.R. Tolkien himself was unimpressed by the idea, refusing to grant the film rights. The project never moved forward, but the thought of The Beatles in Middle-earth continues to capture the imagination of fans and pop culture historians alike.

7. “The Day the Clown Cried” by Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis’s “The Day the Clown Cried” remains one of Hollywood’s most infamous lost films. Filmed in 1972, the movie starred Lewis as a clown imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, forced to entertain children on their way to the gas chambers. The subject matter was deeply controversial, and Lewis himself ultimately refused to release the film, reportedly unhappy with the final product. Legal battles and rights issues kept it locked away, with only a few minutes of footage ever leaking to the public. Despite its absence, the film has become a subject of morbid fascination and debate among film scholars.

8. “The Shadow” by Sam Raimi

Sam Raimi, fresh off his “Evil Dead” success, tried to bring the pulp hero “The Shadow” to life in the 1990s. Raimi’s vision was decidedly darker than previous adaptations, aiming to blend horror with superhero spectacle. The project struggled with creative differences and shifting studio priorities, eventually losing momentum and being shelved. Raimi would later go on to direct the blockbuster “Spider-Man” trilogy, but fans have always wondered what his take on “The Shadow” could have brought to the superhero landscape. The idea of a Raimi-directed, film-noir-inspired superhero movie lingers as a lost opportunity.

9. “The Fantastic Four” by Josh Trank

Josh Trank’s “Fantastic Four,” released in 2015, was originally pitched as a bold, character-driven reboot that would take Marvel’s first family in a darker, more mature direction. Trank’s early script reportedly delved into body horror and complex team dynamics, steering away from the formulaic superhero fare. However, production woes, creative clashes, and studio interference led to massive reshoots and a final product that bore little resemblance to Trank’s vision. The film bombed at the box office and was panned by critics, but the legend of the lost script continues to fuel speculation among comic book fans.

10. “The Last Starfighter” Sequel

After the cult success of 1984’s “The Last Starfighter,” fans clamored for a sequel that would return them to the world of intergalactic arcade battles. Multiple scripts were written over the years, each promising a return of beloved characters and new adventures. Budget constraints, shifting studio interests, and changing entertainment trends all played a role in keeping the project grounded. As of 2025, a sequel has yet to materialize, though the idea remains a favorite topic of online discussion and fan fiction. The enduring love for the original keeps hope alive that the story might one day continue.

11. “Star Trek: Planet of the Titans”

“Star Trek: Planet of the Titans” was set to be the first big-screen outing for the franchise before “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.” With a script involving time travel and ancient astronauts, the film was in development throughout the mid-1970s, attracting directors like Philip Kaufman. However, creative disagreements and budget issues led Paramount to shelve the film. The project was replaced by the eventual TV revival and first movie, but ideas from the script influenced later entries in the franchise, especially the rebooted J.J. Abrams films.

12. “Batman: Year One” by Darren Aronofsky

Before “Batman Begins,” Darren Aronofsky was attached to a gritty, almost unrecognizable adaptation of Batman’s origin. His “Year One” script, co-written with Frank Miller, reimagined Bruce Wayne as a street-level vigilante, stripped of his wealth and gadgets. The tone was raw and unflinching, far from the superhero norm. Warner Bros. eventually dropped the project, worried about its departure from the established Batman brand. Despite its demise, elements of Aronofsky’s vision can be spotted in Christopher Nolan’s later trilogy, especially the grounded realism of “Batman Begins.”

13. “Gladiator 2” by Nick Cave

Australian musician Nick Cave wrote a wild, metaphysical sequel to Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator.” The script followed Maximus in the afterlife, battling through Roman, World War II, and modern battlefields to reunite with his family. The epic scope and philosophical themes proved too bizarre for studio executives, and the film was never made. The script itself has become a cult favorite online, with fans marveling at its audacity and wondering how such an outlandish vision might have looked on screen.

14. “At the Mountains of Madness” by Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro’s passion project “At the Mountains of Madness,” based on the H.P. Lovecraft novella, came close to production in the early 2010s. With Tom Cruise attached to star and a hefty budget from Universal, the film promised a spectacular cosmic horror adventure. However, the studio balked at the R rating and high costs, leading to its cancellation. Del Toro’s concept art and interviews continue to tease fans, and discussions about resurrecting the project surface regularly, especially after the director’s Oscar wins.

15. “A Confederacy of Dunces”

John Kennedy Toole’s beloved comic novel, “A Confederacy of Dunces,” has long been considered unfilmable. Over the decades, actors like John Belushi, John Candy, and Chris Farley were attached to the role of Ignatius J. Reilly, but tragedy, rights issues, and creative differences have doomed every attempt. The story’s tone and eccentric characters have proved difficult to adapt, making it one of Hollywood’s most persistent unmade projects.

16. “Star Wars: Duel of the Fates” by Colin Trevorrow

Before “The Rise of Skywalker,” Colin Trevorrow penned a very different script for the final Star Wars sequel. “Duel of the Fates” would have featured a darker, more emotional story, with Rey training under Leia, Kylo Ren haunted by Luke, and a larger role for the Resistance. Creative differences led to Trevorrow’s departure, and the script was replaced with J.J. Abrams’ version. Leaked concept art and fan projects have kept interest alive, with many fans debating which vision would have made a better finale for the Skywalker saga.

17. “Mega Man” by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman

Capcom’s blue bomber nearly had a live-action Hollywood debut, with directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman (“Catfish”) developing a script in the late 2010s. Despite initial buzz, the project was quietly dropped, possibly due to challenges in adapting the video game’s outlandish style for mainstream audiences. The unmade film has become a case study in the difficulty of translating beloved gaming icons to the big screen.

18. “The Tourist” by Clair Noto

Clair Noto’s “The Tourist” is a legendary unproduced sci-fi script from the 1980s, telling the story of alien refugees hidden among humans in New York. The script’s adult themes and complex world-building scared off studios, but insiders repeatedly praised its originality and ambition. Elements of “The Tourist” later influenced films like “Men in Black” and “Under the Skin,” underlining its lasting legacy despite never being filmed.

19. “Silver Surfer” by Lee and Kirby

In the late 1970s, Marvel legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby teamed up to write a “Silver Surfer” script, hoping to bring their cosmic hero to the big screen. The project attracted the attention of producers but failed to secure the necessary financing. Although never made, the script was later adapted into a graphic novel, and the Surfer remains a character fans desperately want to see in live-action.

20. “Who Killed Bambi?” by Russ Meyer and Roger Ebert

Before “This Is Spinal Tap,” Russ Meyer and Roger Ebert were attached to “Who Killed Bambi?,” a punk rock movie starring the Sex Pistols. The script was wild, irreverent, and anarchic, just like its subjects. Production shut down after a single day of shooting, reportedly due to financial and legal issues. The unfinished project became a symbol of the chaos and unpredictability of music-meets-movie collaborations in Hollywood.