When Scooby-Doo hit theaters in 2002, fans of the beloved cartoon were treated to a live-action adaptation filled with familiar faces, slapstick humor, and spooky hijinks. However, it has since come to the revelation that some of the original scenes from the movie were far from child-friendly, especially one R-rated scene, which did not make the final cut.
Written by James Gunn, now known for his edgy, subversive storytelling, the original script for the movie included a locker room scene, which was believed to be so inappropriate that they decided to cut it out.
The deleted Scooby-Doo scene, which revealed James Gunn’s R-rated vision
The 2002 film Scooby-Doo marked the first-ever live-action adaptation of the beloved animated series, which follows a group of young friends as they solve bizarre and spooky mysteries.
In this iteration, the gang reunites to investigate strange happenings at a horror-themed tropical resort known as Spooky Island. While the movie received mostly negative reviews from critics, it was a box office success and has since gained a cult following.
And the scene in question takes place in a locker room featuring Velma, played by Linda Cardellini, and Daphne, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar. It follows Daphne entering the locker room to find Velma behaving oddly, apparently intoxicated and out of her element, dressed in a bikini.
It soon becomes clear that Velma is possessed, as she begins cracking her neck and emits a chilling scream. The unsettling moment escalates as others in the room join her in chasing Daphne out in a chaotic mix of horror and slapstick comedy.
This scene reflected James Gunn’s original vision for a more mature, edgy take on the animated series, something many felt was too inappropriate for a children’s film. As a result, the scene was cut from the theatrical release.
However, the deleted scene has since resurfaced and gained popularity among fans, many of whom appreciate its bizarre and bold tone. It was eventually included in VHS and DVD releases, allowing audiences a glimpse into the darker, more irreverent version of the film that could have been.
James Gund admitted that Scooby-Doo was originally R-rated
Fifteen years after the movie’s release, filmmaker James Gunn revealed that Scooby-Doo was originally R-rated through a Facebook post. “And, yes, the rumors are true — the first cut was rated R by the MPAA,” he said, adding that his original vision was an “edgier” version aimed at older teens and adults.
However, it didn’t make it to the screen. The studio ultimately shifted the tone of the film toward a more family-friendly, children’s movie. Significant edits were made, including the use of CGI to cover the “female stars’ cleavage.”
He shared,
It was not exactly what we planned going out — I had written an edgier film geared toward older kids and adults, and the studio ended up pushing it into an clean-cut children’s film.
Despite the creative compromises, Gunn acknowledges the project as a pivotal moment in his career. As his first major studio film, Scooby-Doo helped launch him into mainstream success. The movie has since developed a cult following and remains beloved by fans of the franchise.
Scooby-Doo is currently available to watch on HBO Max (US).
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