Quentin Tarantino Let Samuel L. Jackson Change Pulp Fiction

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Having had the privilege of working alongside the legendary Quentin Tarantino for over two decades now, I can confidently say that I’ve earned my stripes as one of his trusted collaborators. You see, unlike other directors who seem to be stuck on their scripts like glue, Quentin understands that sometimes a scene needs a little tweak or twist from the actors themselves. And with Pulp Fiction, he gave me free rein to make changes, a luxury I’ve cherished ever since.

Samuel L. Jackson shares that he’s among a select group of actors granted the opportunity to modify Quentin Tarantino’s scripts during filming. Their professional journey began with their collaboration on “Pulp Fiction” in 1994, although initially Jackson auditioned for a role in “Reservoir Dogs”. Known for his meticulous approach to dialogue and scenes, Tarantino allows only a select few to propose changes. However, Samuel L. Jackson has been offering suggestions and modifying scenes since their very first project together.

In an interview with GQ, Samuel L. Jackson reminisced about his role as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction. He also shared his past unsuccessful audition for Reservoir Dogs, and then explained how Tarantino personally contacted him for the film, recalling their earlier failed attempt at working together. Despite Tarantino being relatively new to directing, Jackson astonished fans by disclosing that he was given the freedom to modify some parts of the original Pulp Fiction script.

If I want to modify something, I’ll draft it, present it to him, and he might approve or reject it,” Jackson explained, in a laid-back manner. Although Tarantino isn’t as script-strict as directors like the Coen Brothers, he is renowned for sticking firmly to his unique cinematic vision. Yet, actors are still welcome to offer ideas, provided they’re constructive ones. Jackson added:

“I’ve been allowed to change things. But, I don’t do it in front of other people.”

Samuel L. Jackson Reveals His Biggest Change to Pulp Fiction

In a different phrasing: Tarantino’s second film, Pulp Fiction, is filled with unforgettable moments, such as Jules and Vincent (played by John Travolta) having a casual conversation about foot massages during their journey to a task, followed by the well-known dance contest, and Butch’s (Bruce Willis) fateful encounter with Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). However, one of Jules’ less dramatic scenes occurs midway through the film when he finds himself caught up in a diner robbery orchestrated by Pumpkin (Tim Roth) and Honey Bunny (Amanda Plummer).

In the movie, Jules decides to let the duo of criminals escape, mentioning he’s going through a “transitional phase.” Interestingly, Samuel L. Jackson shared that the initial screenplay had a completely different ending.

Originally, in the scene at the diner, when Tim Roth’s character first approaches, he asks about a briefcase, opens it, and then in the script, I shoot Honey Bunny off the bar, followed by shooting him dead. However, this action isn’t depicted because I had a vision not to kill anyone before I encountered the house’s message. Consequently, he remains standing there. This part is not included in the final version of the script.

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate enough to deliver some truly unforgettable lines, and it seems these phrases have left a lasting impact on viewers over the years. Yet, in our recent chat, the esteemed Mr. Samuel L. Jackson humbly confessed that he remains puzzled as to why his lines have gained such enduring popularity. Nonetheless, he expresses gratitude for the longevity of his performances and their resonance with fans.

Many lines I deliver in films are frequently quoted to me, leaving me wondering if it’s my performance or the script that resonates with people.

Pulp Fiction
is currently streaming on Prime Video.

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2024-09-29 18:03