20 Famous Writers, Actors, and Directors and Their Uncredited Script Rewrites

By Dustin Rowles | Lists | September 17, 2016 |

By Dustin Rowles | Lists | September 17, 2016 |

Uncredited rewrites are not, by their nature, supposed to be advertised, hence the “uncredited.” Many, many screenplays are script doctored, but more often than not, we never know about them. However, here are a list of notable people and the screenplays they have allegedly screen doctored. Many of these writers — for instance, John August — have script doctored many other films, though we don’t know which ones.

Joss Whedon — Speed (1994) (including most of the dialogue), The Quick and the Dead (1995), Waterworld (1995), Twister (1996), and X-Men (2000).

Adam McKay — Elf (2003) and Ant-Man (2015) (with Paul Rudd)

Alexander Payne — Jurassic Park 3 (2001) and Meet the Parents (2002) (he also rewrote I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007), but the rewrite was so extensive he got credit along with his writing partner).

Judd Apatow: The Wedding Singer (1998), Liar Liar (1997) and Bruce Almighty (2003)

Quentin Tarantino — It’s Pat (1994) and Crimson Tide (1995)

John Sayles: Apollo 13 (1995), The Mummy (1999), Mimic (1997)

Aaron Sorkin: Schindler’s List (1993), The Rock (1996), Excess Baggage (1997), and Enemy of the State (1998).

Carrie Fisher: Hook (1991), Sister Act (1992), Lethal Weapon 3 (1992), Last Action Hero (1993), The River Wild (1994), and The Wedding Singer (1998).

Tom Stoppard: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) and The Bourne Ultimatum (2007).

Robert Towne: Bonnie and Clyde (1967), The Godfather (1972), and Armageddon (1998).

Jason Reitman: The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013)

Kevin Smith: Overnight Delivery (2008) and Coyote Ugly (2000)

John August: Blue Streak (1999) and Iron Man (2008)

Kenneth Lonergan: Fool’s Gold (2008)

The Coen Brothers: Fun with Dick and Jane (2005) and Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken (2014)

Ed Norton: Frida (2002)

David S. Goyer: Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

Ken Levine (From “Cheers”): Mannequin (1987), Jewel of the Nile (1985)

Shane Black: Iron Man (2008), Crimson Tide (1995), and the original Predator (1987) (among many others)

Scott Derrickson — Derrickson, who directed Deliver Us from Evil, The Exorcism of Emily Rose and will direct the upcoming Doctor Strange, did uncredited rewrites on Scream 4 (2011), The Messengers (2007), and Dracula 2000 (2000).