Cube (lost cut alternate ending of science-fiction horror film; 1997)
The Cube "ocean" poster.
Status: Lost
Cube, directed and co-written by Vincenzo Natali, is a 1997 sci-fi horror film in which a group of six strangers awake to find themselves in one of a series of strange, interconnected, cubical rooms, half of which are fitted with lethal traps. Ultimately, the group must traverse this disorienting maze-like facility (eventually revealed as being contained within a massive cube itself) to ensure their escape and survival.
In subsequent years, a sequel and a prequel were released (in 2002 and 2004, respectively), although Natali was not involved in the production of either; a remake of the original was announced by Lionsgate in April of 2015, under the title Cubed, though the project is currently on hold.[1]
Alternate Ending
It has been revealed by Natali that there was a scene shot that was to take place at the very end of the film, revealing what is outside the cube (in the final version of the film, the lone survivor, Kazan, is simply shown exiting the cube and walking into a blinding white light).
According to a draft of the script from December 1996 (available on Natali's website), the ending consisted of Kazan walking out of the Cube and suddenly appearing on a busy street in different clothes, shoppers and businessmen around him completely oblivious to his presence. Kazan then slowly disappears into the crowd, and the movie fades to black over various shots of towering skyscrapers, identical suburban houses, and roads packed tight with cars with the script ending on the line "Another day at the office". [2]
Status
Natali has allegedly stated that the scene was the first one that he cut, vowing never to reveal what was outside the cube; it is currently unknown as to whether any copies remain. Given he has since published multiple drafts of the movie's script on his website, [3] thus revealing what the original ending was, his stance on this may have changed over the years. However, as it stands the footage itself remains lost.
External Links
- Cube's ending as it is known today, via YouTube. Retrieved 28 Nov '16
- Wikipedia article on the Cube film series. Retrieved 28 Nov '16