In an account describing the film’s conclusion, Woods elaborated on how David Cronenberg had not settled on a definitive ending for “Videodrome” even as filming was underway. The book “Cronenberg on Cronenberg” published in 1997 by Faber & Faber, mentions an unreleased finale where characters Max, Nicki, and Bianca undergo a transformation on the Videodrome set, which ultimately did not resonate well. Woods shared his interaction with Cronenberg about crafting a different ending:
“Having enjoyed my time with David and acknowledging the film’s ahead-of-its-time concept, I realized upon receiving the offer that the script was incomplete with just 70 pages! Curious about the finale, I phoned David and upon learning of his dissatisfaction with it, I suggested, ‘I’ve got some ideas,’ prompting him to invite me over to film additional scenes. Thus, I flew to Toronto to shoot another ending. In the end, we filmed three different ones, without even cluing in my agent!”
The ultimate conclusion chosen for “Videodrome” is notably dark. Warning: spoilers ahead.
Previously manipulated by a mysterious organization to perform bizarre, supernatural executions, Max finds himself with a gun inextricably melded to his hand. Following his violent actions, he seeks refuge in a decaying boat with a lone, illuminating television. Nicki’s image materializes on the TV and instructs him to abandon his former self for the New Flesh, necessitating his suicide. Woods recounted:
“In my view, the final scene of ‘Videodrome’ should culminate in a self-inflicted cataclysm, a sort of inward burst. David concurred, remarking ‘yes, that’s indeed the message we’re conveying.’”
Ultimately, Cronenberg arrived at the ending through collaborative creativity with his leading actor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Videodrome’s Ending
Did actor James Woods have a hand in creating the final ending of Videodrome?
Yes, James Woods contributed ideas for the ending of “Videodrome,” which led to the film’s bleak, self-destructive final scene.
How many endings were filmed for Videodrome?
According to James Woods, three different endings were filmed for “Videodrome.”
Was the original ending of Videodrome included in the film?
No, the original ending, which involved a surreal sequence with the characters undergoing bizarre transformations, was not used in the final cut.
Why wasn’t James Woods’ agent informed about the new endings being filmed?
James Woods decided to fly to Toronto and shoot the additional endings without disclosing this information to his agent.