Fantastic Four to The Toxic Avenger, the big films abandoned by Hollywood over the years

In Hollywood, many films never make it to the big screen. Whether due to creative conflicts, financial issues or changing trends, countless projects are abandoned before release. The latest film reported to potentially suffer this fate is The Toxic Avenger, a remake of the cult favourite film from 1984.

The remake stars Peter Dinklage, known most famously from his role on Game of Thrones as Tyrion Lannister, and directed by Macon Blair, who previously directed I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore.

As reported on the entertainment site World of Reel, producers have called it “unreleasable”, making its prospects of a theatrical release slim. It will probably find its way to a streaming platform due to there being enough demand from fans of the original, but if so it will be one of the lucky projects.

Here is a list of films that were never released to the public.

The Deep

The unfinished film directed by Orson Welles is based on Charles Williams' novel Dead Calm. Welles, who wrote, produced, and starred in the film alongside Jeanne Moreau and Laurence Harvey, worked on it from 1966 to 1969. The original negative is lost, leaving two existing work prints, one in black and white and another in colour.

Filmed off the coast of the then-Yugoslavia, the project faced significant financial and technical issues, leading Welles to withdraw from it. Although production halted in 1969 and was effectively ended by Harvey's death in 1973, those involved, including Moreau, remembered the experience fondly.

With no completed version, the surviving prints lack music and feature rough audio, which Welles planned to refine. Footage from The Deep featured in the documentary Orson Welles: One-Man Band.

The Day the Clown Cried

The unfinished 1972 drama directed by and starring Jerry Lewis follows a clown imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, exploring dark themes that sparked significant controversy.

Production faced numerous challenges, including financial issues, leading Lewis to invest $2 million of his own money to complete filming. However, unresolved copyright disputes and the producer's failure to fulfil contractual obligations prevented a release. Lewis ultimately deemed the project a failure, expressing embarrassment over its quality.

In 2015, Lewis donated an incomplete copy to the Library of Congress, which has said it will make the copy available to scholars. The film has gained legendary status over the years, with commentators noting its audacity in tackling such a sensitive subject.

The Fantastic Four

The unreleased superhero film dates back to 1994. It depicts the team's origin story and their initial confrontation with villain Doctor Doom. Produced by Roger Corman and Bernd Eichinger, it was made to help Eichinger retain the film rights. Although it was never officially released, pirated versions have been circulating since May 31, 1994, along with various clips available online.

Eichinger secured the rights in 1986 and, under pressure to produce before the option expired, teamed up with Corman to create a low-budget version for $1 million. Although trailers were shown in theatres and a premiere was scheduled, the project was abruptly halted, leading to a cease-and-desist order that confiscated the negatives.

Stan Lee later revealed that the film was never intended for release, a claim Eichinger disputed. In 1993, Marvel executive Avi Arad purchased the film and ordered its destruction to protect the franchise. Despite its poor reception, the film gained a cult following, and calls for its release continue, especially with Marvel planning a new film in the franchise set for 2025.

Hippie Hippie Shake

The unreleased British drama is based on Richard Neville's memoir about his life as the editor of Oz magazine. It stars Cillian Murphy as Neville and Sienna Miller as his girlfriend Louise Ferrier. The film explores the launch of the London edition of Oz amid the 1960s counterculture and the subsequent obscenity trial, which eventually led to its demise.

Development began in 1998 but faced numerous delays, with changes in directors and screenwriters. Principal photography began in September 2007, but by 2011 Working Title announced that the film would not be released in cinemas.

There were significant issues, particularly when director Beeban Kidron departed during post-production due to creative differences. While some figures involved, like Louise Ferrier, were supportive, others criticised the film's portrayal of them. Advance reviews noted mixed reactions, with some praising the performances and authenticity, while others condemned it as a poor-quality production.

Batgirl - 2022

Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the superhero film stars Leslie Grace as Batgirl and also includes J K Simmons, Brendan Fraser and Michael Keaton. It was intended for HBO Max as part of the DC Extended Universe.

Despite entering post-production, Warner Bros Discovery announced in August 2022 that it would not be released due to cost-cutting measures and a strategy shift towards theatrical releases.

The decision to cancel was influenced by negative test screening feedback and concerns over production quality. With more than $90 million spent, Batgirl became one of the most expensive cancelled projects in Hollywood history. The cast and crew were informed of the cancellation after reports surfaced in the media. Following the news, El Arbi and Fallah expressed their disappointment.

“We are saddened and shocked by the news. We still can't believe it,” they wrote on Instagram.

Coyote vs. Acme - 2023

The unreleased animation/live-action comedy film directed by Dave Green stars John Cena, Will Forte, and Lana Condor. Inspired by a 1990 New Yorker article, it imagines a scenario in which the Looney Tunes character Wile E Coyote would sue Acme Corporation, the fictional company that features prominently in the cartoon series.

Despite being completed, Warner Bros Discovery shelved the film in November 2023 for a $30 million tax write-down, marking it as the third cancelled project after Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt. This decision led to significant backlash, prompting Warner Bros to allow the filmmakers to seek other distribution options. In early 2024, various studios expressed interest, but negotiations stalled over financial disagreements.

Director Green and the cast voiced their disappointment, emphasising the positive reception during test screenings. As of March 2024, discussions continued within Warner Bros about the film's future, with fans actively campaigning for its release. Despite multiple bids from potential distributors, the film's fate remains uncertain, sparking public interest and trending hashtags advocating for its release.