As a seasoned gamer with decades under my belt, I can confidently say that I’ve seen more alternate endings than most people have played levels in their favorite games. The latest one to catch my attention is the alternate ending for the movie “Battleship,” which I recently revisited on Peacock.
In days gone by, alternate endings were frequently included among the special features of blockbuster movies we all loved. Sometimes these alterations were significant, while other times they were minor. However, there was always a possibility that an alternative ending didn’t make the final cut or was too ambitious to film initially. This is also true for the 2012 action film “Battleship,” directed by Peter Berg and inspired by the classic board game, which you can now stream on Peacock.
Despite not achieving great success when it first hit the screens over a decade ago, Berg’s movie, starring a young ensemble led by Taylor Kitsch, Rihanna, and Brooklyn Decker, has evolved into something of a cult favorite. This film is now cherished for its exuberant style, playful spirit, and relentless pursuit of action-packed adventure. The climax, which promises the ultimate confrontation between our daring naval protagonists and an alien mothership floating in the ocean, remains thrilling. However, an interesting behind-the-scenes fact reveals that the conclusion could have unfolded quite differently.
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How Is Battleship’s Alternate Ending Different from the Original?
In both scenarios, Captain Hopper (portrayed by Kitsch) along with his team, seize control of the retired U.S.S. Missouri, a battleship, and set sail to confront the alien mothership in a desperate attempt to prevent an Earth invasion. Meanwhile, Captain Hopper’s girlfriend Sam (Decker) and a handful of associates strive to disrupt the aliens’ control over a communications tower on Oahu island, aiming to halt their ability to summon additional extraterrestrial reinforcements. The narrative presents a twofold challenge: the mothership itself poses an immediate threat, but if the aliens succeed in using the communications array, they can signal their home planet for further invasive forces.
As our spaceship, the Missouri, was nearing its end in the climactic scene of the movie, Hopper and his team made a desperate move: they loaded the final shell into our last functioning gun turret and decided to strike the enemy’s communications array, knowing full well that we wouldn’t stand a chance against a mothership counterattack. But just as all hope seemed lost, U.S. Navy fighters miraculously arrived in the nick of time, halting the mothership and securing a victory for us in the epic battle.
In the different conclusion, as demonstrated in the video below, Hopper and his adversary, Japanese naval officer Nagata (Tadanobu Asano), employ a couple of small boats to divert the mothership momentarily, allowing the Missouri to take up position. According to Berg’s explanation in the alternate ending preview reel, he aimed to portray these two characters as modern-day Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid, engaging in one final death-defying mission. The outcome remains the same, but it lacks the palpable tension of the desperate attempt to utilize a single shell to halt the alien’s communication transmission.
Check out Battleship’s Alternate Ending
So, why wasn’t the ending used? According to Berg, the biggest reason was quite simple.
Berg mentioned considering another film ending, but due to several factors, including its high cost, they opted for the one presented in the movie. Personally, I believe the ending we ultimately chose is superior.
In the climax of “Battleship”, a band of sailors embark on what they believe is a self-sacrificing mission to sever the aliens’ communication line. However, luck turns in their favor as reinforcements arrive just in time, allowing them all to enjoy a blissful future together. Both endings could have fit the movie’s narrative, but it seems Berg made the right choice by opting for the theatrical ending, as it carries a more powerful impact.
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2024-08-06 18:31