10 Characters Who Were Supposed to Die but Didn’t

Some characters in movies and TV shows seem destined for a grim fate, only to be saved at the last moment. Whether it’s a script rewrite, a director’s change of heart, or audience demand, these characters dodged death and lived to tell their tales. Their survival often shaped the story in unexpected ways, leading to iconic moments or even entire franchises.

I’ve rounded up ten characters from films and series who were meant to die but didn’t. Each one’s survival added something special to their story, whether it was a chance for more adventures or a deeper connection with viewers. Let’s dive into their close calls and why they were spared.

Dewey Riley – ‘Scream’ (1996)

Wes Craven originally planned for Dewey Riley, the lovable deputy played by David Arquette, to meet a brutal end in the first ‘Scream’ film. The script had him stabbed and left for dead, fitting the slasher genre’s tendency to kill off key characters.

Test audiences fell for Dewey’s charm and wanted him to live. Craven filmed an alternate ending where Dewey survives, and this choice paid off. His survival added humor and heart to the franchise, making him a fan favorite across multiple sequels.

Rambo – ‘First Blood’ (1982)

John Rambo, portrayed by Sylvester Stallone, was set to take his own life at the end of ‘First Blood,’ mirroring the novel’s dark conclusion. The filmed death scene showed the war veteran’s tragic end after a grueling battle.

Stallone saw potential for more stories and pushed for a rewrite. Sparing Rambo turned him into an action icon, leading to a franchise that defined the genre. His survival gave us a hero who kept fighting against all odds.

Rocky Balboa – ‘Rocky V’ (1990)

In ‘Rocky V,’ Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa was scripted to die in a street fight against Tommy Gunn, closing out the franchise. The gritty ending matched the film’s darker tone but risked alienating fans.

Producers opted for a happier ending, letting Rocky live to inspire another day. This decision paved the way for later successes like ‘Rocky Balboa’ and ‘Creed,’ keeping the Italian Stallion’s legacy alive.

Matt Hooper – ‘Jaws’ (1975)

Richard Dreyfuss’ marine biologist Matt Hooper was doomed in Peter Benchley’s novel ‘Jaws,’ where the shark devours him in a cage. The film’s early drafts followed this grim path for the character.

Steven Spielberg rewrote Hooper to be more likable, and his survival added a hopeful note to the thriller. Keeping him alive also gave the story a smarter, more relatable hero who helped defeat the shark.

Clarence Worley – ‘True Romance’ (1993)

Quentin Tarantino’s script for ‘True Romance’ had Clarence Worley, played by Christian Slater, dying in a violent drug deal gone wrong. It fit Tarantino’s gritty, tragic style.

Director Tony Scott fell in love with Clarence and Alabama’s romance and chose a fairy-tale ending instead. This change turned the film into a cult classic, letting the couple ride off into the sunset.

Jesse Pinkman – ‘Breaking Bad’ (2008-2013)

Vince Gilligan planned to kill off Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul, in the first season of ‘Breaking Bad.’ A drug deal gone bad was meant to spark Walter White’s descent into vengeance.

Aaron Paul’s standout performance and the 2007-08 writers’ strike changed the plan. Jesse’s survival made him a complex, beloved character, earning Paul three Emmys and enriching the show’s emotional core.

Eleven – ‘Stranger Things’ (2016-Present)

The Duffer Brothers intended for Eleven, portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown, to sacrifice herself in the first season finale of ‘Stranger Things.’ The show was initially planned as a one-off story.

Millie Bobby Brown’s breakout performance convinced the creators to keep her alive. Eleven’s survival turned her into the show’s heart, driving its success through multiple seasons and earning her major award nominations.

Han Solo – ‘Return of the Jedi’ (1983)

Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford, was nearly killed off in ‘Return of the Jedi’ during the shield generator mission. Ford himself pushed for Han’s death to add weight to the story.

George Lucas vetoed the idea, citing Han’s popularity and merchandise potential. Saving Han kept the core trio intact, preserving the ‘Star Wars’ saga’s adventurous spirit and fan loyalty.

Ian Malcolm – ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)

Jeff Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm was supposed to die in Michael Crichton’s ‘Jurassic Park’ novel, mauled by a T-Rex. Early film scripts followed this fatal path.

Spielberg saw Goldblum’s charisma and rewrote the ending to save him. Malcolm’s survival made him a sarcastic, leather-clad icon, returning for sequels and adding wit to the dinosaur-filled chaos.

Carol Hathaway – ‘ER’ (1994-2009)

Julianna Margulies’ Carol Hathaway was meant to die from a suicide attempt in the pilot of ‘ER.’ The grim fate set a dark tone for the medical drama’s debut.

Test audiences loved her chemistry with George Clooney’s Doug Ross, so the writers kept her alive. Carol’s survival crafted one of TV’s most iconic couples, anchoring the show for years.

Which character’s survival surprised you the most, or did I miss a great example? Drop your thoughts in the comments!