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From full rewrites to polishing dialogue, Hollywood is brimming with skilled writers capable of transforming scripts—some of whom are big names you might not associate with certain projects. Discover nine celebrated screenwriters who contributed to films originally penned by others.
1. She’s All That (1999) — M. Night Shyamalan
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Before M. Night Shyamalan became a household name with hits like The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, he worked behind the scenes as a screenwriter, refining scripts that needed extra polish. One of his most surprising contributions was to the 1999 teen flick She’s All That.
During the promotion of After Earth, Shyamalan disclosed to Movies.com that he co-wrote the Robert Iscove-directed movie. While he had mentioned his involvement during the Signs press tour in 2002, R. Lee Fleming, Jr., the credited screenwriter of She’s All That, disputed Shyamalan’s assertions. Fleming penned the original script, but Shyamalan was brought in to enhance the story and dialogue. Though uncredited, Shyamalan’s contributions were acknowledged by Iscove on the film’s DVD commentary.
2. It’s Pat: The Movie (1994) — Quentin Tarantino
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Quentin Tarantino and Julia Sweeney, a Saturday Night Live veteran, formed a close friendship after meeting through Harvey Keitel during his 1993 SNL hosting stint. Their bond was so strong that Tarantino crafted a role specifically for Sweeney in his 1994 classic, Pulp Fiction.
Tarantino also admired Julia Sweeney’s androgynous SNL character Pat, who navigates the search for love in Los Angeles. He collaborated on the script for the film adaptation but chose to remain uncredited, viewing his contribution as a gesture of friendship.
3. Kung-Fu Panda 2 (2011) — Charlie Kaufman
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Renowned for crafting profound films centered on introspective, insecure characters, Oscar-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman surprised many when he was brought on to consult during the early stages of
4. The Rock (1996) — Aaron Sorkin
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Following the triumph of A Few Good Men, Oscar-winning writer Aaron Sorkin took on script doctoring roles in Hollywood during the mid-'90s. He was among several writers tasked with revising and refining Michael Bay’s 1996 film The Rock. Though his specific contributions remain unclear, certain White House scenes bear a striking resemblance to his acclaimed TV series The West Wing.
Jonathan Hensleigh and Quentin Tarantino also contributed to rewriting The Rock, while Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, known for their work with Sean Connery, were brought in to enhance his character’s dialogue.
5. Speed (1994) — Joss Whedon
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Before Joss Whedon achieved global success with Marvel’s The Avengers in 2012, he spent much of the '90s as a screenwriter and script doctor. Whedon contributed to scripts for X-Men, Waterworld, and Twister, but his most significant uncredited work was the 1994 action hit Speed.
While Graham Yost is the sole credited writer for Speed, Whedon penned nearly all the dialogue and created several characters. Despite being removed from the final credits, Whedon possesses a rare Speed poster that acknowledges his contribution.
6. Fun with Dick and Jane (2005) — Joel & Ethan Coen
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The 2005 remake of Fun with Dick and Jane had been in development for years before Judd Apatow, Nicolas Stoller, and director Dean Parisot brought it to life with Jim Carrey and Téa Leoni. Initially, Barry Sonnenfeld was set to direct, with Cameron Diaz co-starring alongside Carrey. The Coen brothers, known for their criminal comedies like The Ladykillers and Raising Arizona, provided an uncredited rewrite of the screenplay.
7. Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) — Carrie Fisher
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Carrie Fisher, celebrated for her role as Princess Leia in Star Wars, transitioned into writing after the original trilogy. She showcased her sharp humor in the novel and film Postcards From the Edge and her candid memoir Wishful Drinking. Fisher also excelled as a script doctor, contributing to films like Hook, Sister Act, and The Wedding Singer.
Her surprising involvement in Lethal Weapon 3 stands out as one of her most significant ghostwriting roles. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a commercial success, earning $321.7 million globally in 1992.
8. Coyote Ugly (2000) — Kevin Smith
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In the late '90s, Kevin Smith was a celebrated figure in Hollywood, renowned for his sharp, witty dialogue. Following the success of Dogma in 1999, he was brought on as a script doctor for Coyote Ugly. Despite eight writers contributing to the screenplay, only Gina Wendkos received official credit.
Smith noted that while he typically focuses on enhancing dialogue, his work on Coyote Ugly also included crafting key scenes and set pieces.
9. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) — Tom Stoppard
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Known for his postmodern takes on Shakespeare in works like Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead and Shakespeare in Love, British playwright Tom Stoppard has also made a mark as an uncredited script doctor. He penned much of the dialogue for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, infusing the third installment of the series with sharp wit. However, his surprising contribution to Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is particularly striking. While much of the film feels lackluster, the climactic lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader (formerly Anakin Skywalker) showcases Stoppard’s signature emotional depth, vividly portraying the battle between good and evil.
