Top 10 Shocking Movie Scandals
#10: Batgirl Ends Before She Begins
Supergirl Vs Batgirl
“Batgirl” (Unreleased) It’s not uncommon for a high-profile movie to get canceled, especially if it’s in production hell. When a $90 million film is almost complete, though, it only makes sense to release it, right? In a baffling move, the newly merged Warner Bros. Discovery announced that the anticipated “Batgirl” movie wouldn’t be hitting HBO Max, theaters, or anywhere. The media giant sought to shift focus from streaming to theatrical event pictures. “Batgirl” didn’t fit CEO David Zaslav’s vision with the company taking the write-off route rather than give the film a chance. While test screenings weren’t glowing, critics have deemed this a colossal waste of talent, time, and resources. The various scandals surrounding “The Flash” star Ezra Miller haven't helped WBD’s image either.
#9: Bette Davis & Joan Crawford’s Divine Feud
“Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962) It’s been debated when this legendary rivalry started, but everyone agrees that tensions climaxed with “Baby Jane.” Centered on two sisters who’ve fallen from stardom, art imitated life in more ways than one. For the first time in years, the spotlight was back on Davis and Crawford. Not only for their marvelous performances, but because of the off-screen animosity that seemingly translated into spine-churning cinematic gold. In addition to swapping less-than-flattering comments, both actresses were accused of putting a physical strain on one another. Davis also reportedly switched a Pepsi machine with a Coke machine to spite Crawford, who was affiliated with the former soda company. While Davis received an Oscar nomination, Crawford got the last laugh upon accepting the statue on Anne Bancroft’s behalf.
#8: Challenging the Production Code
“Psycho” (1960) Graphic deaths, undergarments, toilets, none of these elements are uncommon in modern cinema or television for that matter. As Hollywood entered a less innocent decade, though, Alfred Hitchock challenged conventions and censors with “Psycho.” The shifting standards for sex in film were established from the opening scene between two scantily-clad, unwedded lovers. Speaking of the intro, Hitchcock implemented a “no late admission” rule to preserve the impact of the film’s killer twists. This only added to the shock value of the iconic shower scene, which pushed nudity and violence to the edge of what was considered acceptable at the time. The toilet making a mainstream screen appearance was almost an afterthought. Despite - or perhaps because of - these controversies, “Psycho” became one of Hitchock’s greatest successes.
#7: Hacks
“The Interview” (2014) Revolving around journalists recruited to assassinate Jong-Un Kim, “The Interview” certainly had an edgy premise. Regardless, you wouldn’t expect a goofy Seth Rogen comedy to ignite several PR nightmares. When the film triggered a heated response from the North Korean government, Sony delayed the premiere by two months and made several edits. A month before “The Interview” was set to hit theaters, a group known as the Guardians of Peace hacked Sony, releasing information and insisting that the picture be pulled. Sony complied, which was met with criticism from critics, audiences, and even President Obama. While “The Interview” played in some theaters, it was primarily released digitally. The film set a record for Sony’s digital rentals, although it likely lost more money than it made.
#6: William Randolph Hearst’s Reception
Top 10 Plays By William Shakespeare
“Citizen Kane” (1941) Considered by many to be the pinnacle of filmmaking, you might find it shocking that “Citizen Kane” didn’t win Best Picture. However, given the politics surrounding the film upon release, you can see why the Academy made a safer choice. Although Charles Foster Kane had multiple inspirations, he was mainly modeled after newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, who co-screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz knew personally. Hearst didn’t appreciate the parallels, doing everything in his power to destroy a film he had never seen. While “Kane” was released, Hearst prohibited any mention of it in his papers and got some exhibitors to ban it. This might’ve hurt the film’s box office, but it didn’t stop “Kane” from winning a screenplay Oscar and becoming intertwined with Hearst’s legacy.
#5: An Affair to Remember
Top 10 Most Shocking Teen Movie Endings
“Cleopatra” (1963) This historical epic endured numerous production nightmares, changing directors and running over budget. The most talked about scandal involved co-stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who became romantically involved while shooting. At the time, Burton was married to Sybil Williams while Taylor was married to Eddie Fisher. Adding to the drama, Taylor previously had an affair with Fisher when he was with America’s sweetheart, Debbie Reynolds. That affair left Taylor deemed as a “homewrecker” and it seemingly took a near-death experience for the public to “forgive her.” When “Cleopatra” initially struggled to make a profit, Fox sued Taylor and Burton, alleging that they hurt the film. The suit went nowhere, but “Cleopatra” ushered the end of two marriages and the beginning of “Liz and Dick.”
#4: Marilyn Monroe’s Unfinished Film
Top 10 Things Revealed In The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes
“Something’s Got to Give” (Unfinished) As “Cleopatra’s” costs skyrocketed, Fox saw another film go over budget. While not as expensive as “Cleopatra,” “Something’s Got to Give” was poised to be among Marilyn Monroe’s biggest paychecks. On day one of production, however, Monroe experienced health problems. The shoot endured various delays as the sickly Monroe sporadically showed up on set and struggled to learn her lines as they were rewritten. Coupled with the growing pressure surrounding “Cleopatra,” Fox chose to fire Monroe and recast the part to get the film completed in time for the holidays. Dean Martin convinced Fox to rehire Monroe, which would come with a pay increase for her. Before filming could resume, Monroe died tragically from a Barbiturate overdose. The screwball comedy thus went unfinished.
#3: Inspiring an Attempt on the President’s Life
Top 10 Inspiring Movies Based on a True Story
“Taxi Driver” (1976) “Taxi Driver” was provocative upon release due in part to then-12-year-old Jodie Foster’s Iris, whose profession even made director Martin Scorsese uncomfortable. Yet, nobody could’ve imagined the real-world impact that this plot point would have. On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley Jr. shot the recently elected President Ronald Reagan. Hinckley sought Foster’s attention, having become obsessed with her and “Taxi Driver.” Reagan survived and recovered, although White House Press Secretary James Brady was permanently disabled, leading to a handgun violence prevention act in his name. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity, but he wouldn’t be released from psychiatric care until 2016. Although Scorsese continued to make movies, the incident left him considering retirement. It wouldn’t be his last controversial picture.
#2: The KKK’s Depiction
Top 10 Shocking Teen Movie Moments
“The Birth of a Nation” (1915) Almost three decades before expressing concern over “Song of the South,” the NAAC protested another problematic portrait of African-Americans. “Birth of a Nation” is difficult to discuss, as some would call it groundbreaking in terms of filmmaking techniques. It was even the first film shown in the White House. However, many would also call it one of the most offensive films ever made, depicting the KKK as heroic, vilifying Black people, and enforcing segregation. Years later, it would be compared to “Triumph of the Will,” which was admired for its craft but condemned for celebrating the Nazi Party. Cinema might not be what it is today without “Birth of a Nation’s” innovations, which only makes it harder to accept the notoriety that comes with it. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable - or in some cases dishonorable - mentions.
Snuff Film Allegations, “Cannibal Holocaust” (1980)
Those Claims Were Proven Inaccurate, But Animals Were Harmed During Production
Lemmings Leap, “White Wilderness” (1958)
Misleading Footage from an Oscar-Winning Documentary
Christopher Plummer Fills In, “All the Money in the World” (2017)
#ReleaseTheSpaceyCut… Said Nobody
Are You a Professional?, “Terminator Salvation” (2009)
Top 10 Shocking Horror Movie Scandals
Is Ranting on Set Professional?
We’re Not Rated X For Nothin’, Baby, “Fritz the Cat” (1972)
A New Standard for Adult Animation & Bad Taste
#1: The Greatest Scandal Ever Told
Top 10 Teen Movie Scandals You Completely Forgot About
“The Last Temptation of Christ” (1988) Whenever a film focuses on Jesus, people are bound to have passionate opinions. “Monty’s Python’s Life of Brian” got banned in countries like Norway, which the marketing team gleefully played up. With Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ,” the controversy was less about Jesus and more about the depiction of Jewish people. Before it even hit the screen, religious groups rained hell upon Martin Scorsese’s “Last Temptation of Christ” for deviating from the Gospels. Beyond protests, the film was banned in multiple countries, Scorsese was subjected to death threats, and an Integralist Catholic group was compelled to set a Paris theater on fire, injuring 14. Nevertheless, critics were fascinated by Scorsese’s “fictional exploration” of Jesus, presenting a complex, conflicted side rarely depicted in popular media.
