How much liberty or influence do actors and actresses have to change a script?

[GwinnettNole]

Reading an article about Mark Hamill and the way he hated the way Luke Skywalker was changed in SW Episode 8. Hamill felt he became too campy and mentioned the shrug off of the shoulder after he was being fired at from Kylo Ren and army as an example.

I know very little about acting so just asking the question- what influence do actors and actresses have in changing a script? I guess if the director feels strongly about something he wins out. But are you telling me a Tom Hanks or Leo DiCaprio has the same influence as someone on a weekly sitcom? On the other hand you read articles from DiCaprio and Kate Winslett about how difficult it was to work with James Cameron. Anyone with some insight?

 

[seminole97]

There's Robin Williams, and errrybody else.

 

[NDallasRuss]

There's Robin Williams...

No there's not.


(too soon?)

 

[West Duval Nole]

I think Ronald Lee Ermey was given leeway in Full Metal Jacket and Jack Nicholson in the shining.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Changing a script, I’d guess few have that leverage.

Improvising dialogue or mannerisms in a scene, I’d guess they can all do that. I’ve read countless articles where directors talk about letting actors just go with it.

 

[BelemNole]

Think it all depends on the director and their relationship with the actor.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

All depends on the director, the production company, agent and contract.

Many actors will choose to work with a certain director because of the creative license. Others like to be told what to do. Varies a ton.

 

[NoleLizards]

All depends on the director, the production company, agent and contract.

Many actors will choose to work with a certain director because of the creative license. Others like to be told what to do. Varies a ton.

The extent of an actor's latitude could depend on how much one strokes the director's........ego.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

No there's not.


(too soon?)

 

[NoleLizards]

 

[fsu1jreed]

LAUGHED. OUT. LOUD.

 

[billyfsu76]

It all depends on how big the star is and what their box office draw is. If you can get Leonardo DiCaprio to do your movie but the only way he’s doing it is if you change the ending, nine times out of ten, the ending gets changed.

 

[Nolomite]

How much liberty or influence do actors and actresses have to change a script?

That depends completely on the director. Some are quite liberal and give the actors a chance to riff, others are completely insistent that the script is followed to the letter.

 

[Bill From Tampa]

Not a whole lot. Practically none.

 

[anolesfan77]

Nearly all of Jackie Gleason's funniest lines from "Smokey and the Bandit" were made up on the spot.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

Nearly all of Jackie Gleason's funniest lines from "Smokey and the Bandit" were made up on the spot.

The Caddyshack scene with Chevy Chase and Bill Murray was almost entirely ad-libbed as well. Trouble was the rest of the cast and crew thought they might get in a fight because the two hated one another.