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Glenn Close Fought for Original Fatal Attraction Ending
28 Oct
Summary
- Glenn Close opposed the studio's decision to change the movie's ending.
- The original ending involved Alex dying by suicide.
- Test audiences preferred the released ending where Alex is killed by Beth.
Michael Douglas has shared details about the significant disagreement over the ending of the 1987 film 'Fatal Attraction.' Glenn Close, who portrayed the obsessive Alex Forrest, was deeply unhappy when the studio decided to reshoot the climax.
In the initial version, Alex died by suicide, with evidence pointing to Dan Gallagher (Douglas) for her murder. However, test screenings indicated audiences wanted a more definitive punishment for Alex, leading to a new ending where she is killed by Beth Gallagher (Anne Archer).
Douglas recounted Close's strong resistance to this change, emphasizing her commitment to portraying Alex's complex mental health struggles. He likened the process to adjusting a Broadway show based on audience reaction, eventually persuading Close to accept the revised ending.
The film was a major commercial success, grossing over $320 million and earning six Oscar nominations. Despite its success, Close has expressed mixed feelings, acknowledging the audience's need for catharsis through her character's demise while wishing for a story told from Alex's perspective.
