Best Moments In DC Movies:
Sometimes the best scenes in the movies happen accidentally. When you have a cast of A-list actors, improvisation is inevitable. Even though the scriptwriters do a great job in building the plot and scenes, the experienced actors often get carried away with their characters. Diving deep in their roles enables them to comprehend what their characters would do in a particular moment. As a result, they act or adlib the scenes or dialogues accordingly.
There are some scenes in DC movies when someone spontaneously did something out of the script. If it adds fun and twist, there are high chances of the director keeping. It’s hard to believe so in the case of DCEU movies since they have gone through numerous cuts and reshoots. But the fun improvised moments were luckily kept for the audience. Here are the best moments in DC movies that were not in the scripts.
1. Shazam Seeking Help From Batman Toys
We loved Shazam! for its hilarious take on action-adventure. Zachary Levi was the most perfect choice for the superhero with a child’s spirit. Shazam’s innocent comedy felt natural and spontaneous due to Zachary’s sense of humor that brought life into the movie. One of the most hilarious parts was when Shazam throws away Batman toys towards Dr. Sivana and screams “get him, Batman”. Needless to say, that silly yet funny moment was improvised by Levi.
2. When Arthur Fleck Climbed In The Refrigerator
Did the hair at the back of your neck rise when Arthur climbed into the refrigerator while contemplating? Something similar happened to the director and cinematographer who weren’t expecting this moment at all. The Academy Winner Joaquin Phoenix is known for diving into his character completely. He wanted to paint the exact state of Arthur’s mind when he was on the verge of falling into madness.
According to the cinematographer Lawrence Sher “We set up two camera positions, and Joaquin just thought about what he would do if he was a massive insomniac. Again, we lit it so he could go anywhere, and the first and only time he did it, we were mesmerized. I remember thinking: “What is he doing? Did he just crawl in the fridge?” It was as fun and weird for us to watch it, too.”
3. Joker Clapping In The Dark Knight
The late Heath Ledger gave us the best Joker we can ever imagine. No matter how many great actors play him, Heath captured the right essence with his dark sense of humor. When Joker was captured and the authorities tell Jim Gordon about his promotion, it was followed by huge applause from everyone including. That surprising moment became an iconic scene that still appears on every Joker poster and image. The Academy Award Winner Heath had improvised that chilly scene.
4. Batman Saying “Oh Sh**”
Batman is considered a silent and cynical hero. His inclination to darkness and his brooding style prevents him from talking much or expressing his emotions at all. Basically, we know the Dark Knight as the emotionless hero whose heart is made of ‘Steel’. So Ben Affleck decided to adlib “Oh Sh*t” when Batman saw the bigger threat Doomsday in Batman V Superman. He loved the element of surprise and wanted to make the character feel relatable.
Ben Affleck said “I just improv’d that. I had a feeling that it would work and that it would be funny. I improvised, and I talked to [director] Zack [Snyder] about it, and I think this will really work because you don’t expect it – and because it’s Batman, and at that moment, he is so incredibly overmatched. We’ve taken these characters and are treating them more and more realistically. It seems very realistic that he would say that at that point. Any kid has heard their father say that if he’s trying to hammer a nail and hammers his thumb by accident.”
5. Jack Nicholson’s “Dance With The Devil”
When legends like Tim Burton and Jack Nicholson team up, something great can be expected. The Batman was the superhero film that inspired future filmmakers to capture the Caped Crusader’s adventures on the screen. It starred Jack Nicholson as the Joker who was the perfect choice for the time (Have you seen The Shining?). In one of the scenes, Jack’s Joker asks Batman the famous question “You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?” and leaves the apartment. It is followed by a scene where the Joker dances and blows a raspberry. That moment was improvised by jack who wanted to capture the Joker’s humor style.
6. Joker’s Dance In The Bathroom
After Arthur Fleck committed his first murder in Joker, he was supposed to talk to himself in front of the mirror out of slight guilt according to the script. But the exceptional actor Joaquin Phoenix understood Joker’s psyche and decided to do a dance instead. Director Todd Phillips felt the chills and psychology of Joker and decided to keep the scene.
7. Aquaman’s Redheads Comment
Jason Momoa has had only positive words for his experience on the sets of Aquaman with director James Wan. The actor got a lot of freedom to play with his character and the authority over his task. This enabled Jason to connect with Arthur Curry and be himself on the screen.
In one of the scenes when Mera shocked the pilot by casually jumping off the plane without a parachute, Aquaman gave an awkward response and said with a broad smile “Redheads! You gotta’ love’em”.
8. Diner Scene In Birds Of Prey
Imagine getting paid in millions for eating and chilling at a diner. The scene where Harley Quinn, Black Canary, Huntress, and Renee were relaxing at the diner and devouring burgers and shakes was not in the script. The actors were simply asked by the director to improvise fun moments at the table and enjoy themselves while the camera rolled.
