
Obviously there will be spoilers, don’t read if you haven’t see the movie. Duh.
Always eager to protect their fans, the cast of the “Sex and the City” movie and writer/director Michael Patrick King went to extraordinary lengths to keep much of the film’s plot a secret. Now that the movie has hit theaters, here are some interesting tidbits about what didn’t make it into the film, and more.
Yes, someone was meant to die: The original script for “Sex” featured the death of one of the show’s characters, but, unlike tabloid speculation, it wasn’t anyone in the main cast. Anne Meara, who played Steve’s mom, was set to pass away in a scene meant to show that even though Steve (David Eigenberg) had cheated on Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), she still cared for him enough after their separation to visit her mother-in-law in the hospital. As for killing off any of his leading ladies, King dismissed the idea noting, “I care too much about each of these characters.”
The original script would have been a much longer movie: A number of characters’ story lines had to be dramatically cut, including one involving Charlotte’s husband, Harry (Evan Handler), and the couple’s 21-year-old nanny who seemingly never wore a bra. Christened “Erin Go Braless” by Samantha (Kim Cattrall), the character was meant to introduce a whole fear in Charlotte (Kristin Davis) about something happening to her (what that was wasn’t revealed). Davis notes, “A couple of the things got cut time-wise. You just feel bad for the guys in our world. They’re troupers about it.”
Mr. Big wasn’t the only flame of Carrie’s to show up in the movie: With the movie “busting at the seams,” King had to cut an “amazing scene” for John Corbett, who played Carrie’s ex-boyfriend Aidan.
Blame Mr. Big for most of those crazy rumors: King admits they shot a number of fake scenes to try to divert attention from the film’s true plot, but, even so, Chris Noth, who plays Carrie’s love Mr. Big, found the paparazzi and press attention insanely desperate. When the movie was shooting in the streets of New York, he’d drop all sorts of false story lines to the overly eager reporters. Noth recalls, “I’d do things like suddenly go by a journalist and say, ‘Yeah it’s too bad that Carrie died!’ [Or] ‘It’s all just a dream, isn’t it. It’s so much fun when she wakes up from the nightmare!’”
Cattrall says Samantha should be single: The movie ends with Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte happily married, but Samantha, once again, is playing the field. No one could be more satisfied with this than Cattrall, who always felt the character wasn’t meant for a long-term relationship.
Good luck trying to stay at that Mexican resort the girls crash for Carrie’s honeymoon: No, they weren’t vacationing south of the border, it was a set created in the more production friendly confines of Malibu, Calif. Who knew?
What do you think? Should they have included these things or left them on the cutting room floor?
27 Responses for "Sex and the City: what almost happened"
I think they could’ve done a much better job with the end of Samantha/Smith. It was such a weak little ending when so much else was going on all at once. Would’ve been nice to have a real Charlotte storyline too. I think they spent too much time being depressed in Mexico, leaving only enough room for Carrie with guest appearances from an awesome Cynthia Nixon in that powerful story. The Aiden thing? Too gimmicky for me…
See, I think they should’ve included the Charlotte/ Harry storyline instead of using so much of the Carrie drama. I get that she’s the main character- I do- and I get that she was in a lot of pain. But it should’ve been about more than that. Charlotte didn’t get nearly enough of a story. Even with her pregnancy, she was basically just neatly tied up to finally end the show. I think they definitely should’ve included that story. Ah! I’ve been waiting to get that out- haha.
I just saw the movie last night, so now I feel “qualified” to critique (I must admit that I have been preparing myself to be disappointed ever since I heard there was going to be a SATC movie, because I was nervous about how it would translate into a movie-length storyline)…
I would have loved to have seen more well thought-out plotlines for all the girls, really– I think that the whole Mexico interlude was a huge waste of time, and could have been dealt with better. The Carrie/Big story was what I predicted– how could they not have ended up together? I must say, though, I did NOT feel bad for Carrie as she screamed in the middle of the street that she was humiliated…”lady, that is sort of your own fault, at the moment.” Having Aidan show up would have felt tacked-on to me, even though I love me some John Corbett; it just would have felt gratuitous.
I was shocked (SHOCKED!) by the turn that the Miranda/Steve relationship took (Miranda was never my favorite, and I felt like Steve had been done such a disservice…. he’s not that kind of guy!), as well as their continued insistence that people in New York City think that Brooklyn is the boonies. Sorry folks, it’s not like they live on Staten Island or something. Oh, and the addition of Anne Meara would have been so great– a nice, humanizing touch that would work more smoothly in the Miranda/Steve resolution than the out-of-nowhere therapy business.
Being a big Charlotte fan, and lover of all things Goldenblatt, I was very concerned when I read that she had been relegated to a barely-supporting role in some reviews. I thought that her role was valuable and a good anchor to all the shenangians enacted by the other ladies, but disgusted by the Montezuma’s Revenge (P.S. Who opens their mouth in a shower?!)
While I never was able to relate to Samantha’s character, I did see that it was well-considered, and was happy to see her have the end that she did. I was disappointed, though, that more of the relationship between her and Smith wasn’t shown– I agree with Ben that there should have been more at the end. Much to neat of an ending for me.
Sorry to be so long-winded…maybe I need to post my own review! I must say that I was satisfied to see all the SATC ladies get their own “happy endings,” though, because I am a total sap. (But, please dear God, no sequel!)
Great find, Jamie!
I think keeping in Steve’s mother’s death would have been interesting, but I couldn’t stand much more length on the movie.
I definitely thought Charlotte/Harry got short-shifted in the final product, so this explains why! I don’t think having an “Erin Go Braless” would have added much to the movie, but we would have at least gotten to see those two more.
Well, they definitely could have done without the atrocious Jennifer Hudson storyline. Her scenes were painful AND cheesy.
Great blog and a good twist on a review!
Definitely should have put a scene with Aidan in it. Also, I was disappointed in the limited role Harry had…wouldn’t have minded some meat there.
Oh man, I have been waiting for someone to open up and include spoilers so those of us who have seen the movie could comment
I would have liked to have seen more depth to Harry/Charlotte as I love them and I felt like they really weren’t given much to work with in the movie. I also think the addition of Anne Meara for just one scene would have added something to Miranda and Steve’s storyline. My last sorta gripe was that I didn’t like the way Samantha broke up with Smith. I get it that she felt more herself while single but I dunno. It seemed very quick and anticlimactic to me.
I’m content to keep watching the show over and over on DVD…
I loved it and def wish it could have been longer! I was surprised that they did get married in the end. Wasn’t expecting that after reading perez before I saw the movie. I thought I had known it all! Glad I didn’t. Although I thought j hudson added a nice touch.. It was cheesy and bad acting but then again.. She’s not an actress so whatev
Thanks for the info! I was like, that whole death rumor was so random, so I’m glad to see it wasn’t.
There definitely wasn’t enough Charlotte/Harry, but the movie was way too long, so instead of adding to their story, everyone else’s should have been cut down more. Samantha’s story was so…half-assed. It could have been (and should have been) better.
Oh, and the bridge scene with Steve and Miranda? My friend and I were cracking up the whole time. Steve especially…how cheesy was he acting? Oh, man.
Nice! Thanks for sharing. I did hear that someone was going to die but they baited that it was Mr. Big. Clever. Those all would have been good storylines to include. Wish we saw more of Harry in the movie.
I hadn’t heard those facts yet–super interesting. I do wish they included more of the other girls’ stories. I wish we saw more of Harry, definitely. The idea of Steve’s mom’s death is interesting–it could have brought Steve and Miranda together again (even though they do get back together in the end). Also, I love the idea of North telling people false facts about the film. Hilarious!
I haven’t seen it yet but I really want to! All of those things sound interesting. No matter what they put in and kept out, they’re never going to make everyone happy. I heard it did really well at the box office though!
I wanted Aidan to show up so bad. The scene when Carrie is looking for a new desk I thought it would be perfect for Aidan to show up. They should not have cut that out.
I was really hoping that Aidan would make a cameo…Oh well, maybe that can make the sequel!!!
ooo good stuff here!!!
When Steve comes to see Miranda at the rehearsal dinner, I thought he was going to tell her that his mom had died. He had that look on his face. Maybe he did originally??
I would have LOVED to have seen Aidan…he was always my favorite bf of carrie’s.
I was disappointed with the lack of Harry….he’s another awesome character.
Let’s all pray for a director’s cut of the movie to come out with all kinds of extra footage and whatnot.
i remember you said something about getting the iPhone…heard about any rumors for upgrades????
oh, and to comment on something relating to this post, i watched the first 3 episodes of Sex & the City ever this weekend. that’s all
I would have loved to see Aidan, even though I was always a lover of Big.
My main disappointment with the movie was that I felt like the Big-Carrie plot rehashed what happened to them over the life of the series. I would have rather seen them face a new challenge.
The movie’s depiction of grief and heartbreak, though? Perfect pitch. Heartwrenching. Charlotte’s “NO!” was the best moment in the whole film.
I think they could have put a little more Harry in the movie–everyone loves him! And I thought for sure when Carrie and Charlotte were looking for new furniture that Carrie would happen to look at a piece of Aidan’s furniture or be in his store! I would have liked to see him.
I haven’t seen it yet, but I would totally be at the movie theatre now if John Corbett was in it. Of course, I still think of him as Chris in the Morning from Northern Exposure. It doesn’t get any hotter than Chris in the Morning. Ever.
You know? I haven’t seen the movie yet and I still read this post. I’m really bad with surprise/secrets/etc. But I’m going to see it this week and I’m super excited. I’m kind of intrigued about the John Corbett scene, I LOVE HIM. I hope they include all this cutting room floor stuff in the DVD.
oh wow definitely some interesting cuts. i thought the same thing about charlotte’s husband and how little he was in the movie, but i can imagine there was more before. and man i would have loved to see aidan, i always loved him best
all in all i think they did a great job though.
Gah! I REALLY wanted Aidan to make an appearance. Le sigh.
OOOH. Thanks for this!
Also, why did they cut that “amazing scene” and leave anything with Jennifer Hudson in? Her character and story was SO BORING. Also, NOT A GOOD ACTRESS. I’m sorry.
I would have loved for Aidan to turn back up!
Great blog. I didnt know any of this because I stayed far away from the spoilers. I think there were a few times my girlfriends were talking and I ran around the house with my fingers in my ears.
I honestly didnt want the movie to end.. I could have sat longer waching things evolve.
oh, mann! some of those sound really great, especially the Aiden scene… now I want to see the uncut 28 hour version. psh.
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