Sam Raimi Calls Joss Whedon to Revamp Sharon Stone’s Western Ending

A Forgotten Gem: Sam Raimi’s "The Quick and the Dead"

Sam Raimi’s "The Quick and the Dead" has often been overlooked in the annals of cinema. Released in 1995, the film faced a rough reception from mainstream audiences who were unprepared for Sharon Stone leading a Western. Additionally, the movie’s frenetic style, characterized by Raimi’s signature quick zooms, fast cutting, and Dutch angles, may have been too much for some viewers at the time. Despite its initial struggles, the film is now seen as a hidden gem, especially among Raimi’s fans.

The movie centers around a sharpshooting competition where the world’s most skilled quickdraw experts gather in the small town of Redemption to prove their mettle. The winner takes home a large cash prize, while the losers face a deadly fate. Gene Hackman and Leonardo DiCaprio play fellow competitors, and Russell Crowe portrays a former shootist turned priest. Sharon Stone’s character, a mysterious stranger, enters the scene and becomes central to the story.

The Script and Its Evolution

The script for "The Quick and the Dead" was credited to Simon Moore, known for his work on high-profile miniseries such as "The 10th Kingdom," the 1996 version of "Gulliver’s Travels," and "Dinotopia." However, like many studio films, the project underwent changes. In a 2013 interview with Vulture, Raimi revealed that he was dissatisfied with the ending written by Moore and sought help from another screenwriter.

That screenwriter was Joss Whedon, who provided invaluable input. Raimi noted that he loved "The Avengers," admiring Whedon’s talents as a filmmaker. He also mentioned that they had worked together before, even if the public wasn’t aware of their collaboration.

Whedon’s Contribution

Raimi explained:

"[I]n 1994, I was making a western called ‘The Quick and the Dead,’ and having a script problem, and I came to the studio and said, ‘Can you find me a writer? I’ve shot this movie, and the end isn’t quite working.’ And ultimately, the movie didn’t quite work. But they suggested Joss Whedon, who was doing ‘Buffy.’ So I met Joss, and he saw the movie, and he helped me solve this ending in one afternoon. I thought, ‘Damn, you’re a good writer! I wish I could have had you rewrite the whole movie and save this picture!’"

"Buffy" refers to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," the popular horror/comedy series from 1997. Whedon wrote the 1992 feature film that inspired the TV series, so Raimi would have been familiar with his work in 1994. Whedon was well-known for his ability to enhance other people’s scripts. In addition to "The Quick and the Dead," he contributed to the scripts for "The Getaway," "Speed," and "Waterworld."

Whedon’s Rise and Fall

Whedon, of course, was also one of the credited writers of "Toy Story," which came out the same year as "The Quick and the Dead," so Raimi caught Whedon right in the middle of his initial career upswing. Raimi was impressed, saying:

"I’ll never forget how good he was, and how precise, so when I saw ‘The Avengers,’ I was not surprised that his name was on it. It’s a very hard job to take all those heroes and all those stories and know exactly what bits the audience needs and what they don’t need."

Whedon eventually found multiple successes and, for many years, was a darling of both Hollywood and the geek community. His "Buffy" TV series ran for an impressive 144 episodes, with Whedon writing 27 episodes and directing 20. His additional shows ("Angel," "Firefly," "Dollhouse," "Agents of "S.H.I.E.L.D.") all gained cult followings, and his name was, for many years, synonymous with both quality and feminism (he tended to favor complex and powerful female characters).

However, Whedon’s reputation took a hit in the early 2020s when reports emerged about his mistreatment of actors on the set of "Justice League" and his behavior on "Buffy." These allegations led to a significant backlash, tarnishing his legacy despite his earlier contributions to the industry.

Legacy and Reflection

Despite these controversies, Whedon’s impact on the film industry cannot be ignored. For a time, he was Hollywood’s golden child, and Sam Raimi benefited from his talents years before any issues arose. While Whedon’s later actions have overshadowed his earlier achievements, it’s worth acknowledging the positive contributions he made during his peak.

If you’re looking for the easiest way to keep up with all the major movie and TV news, why not sign up to our free newsletter? You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.