The Final Curtain: Actors Who Died Before Their Last Movie Was Released

1. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood 2019，IMDB Rating: 7.6，Douban Rating: 7.3
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Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is a 2019 comedy-drama film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie. The film follows a fading TV actor and his stunt double as they try to revive their careers in 1969 Los Angeles, while living next door to actress Sharon Tate and director Roman Polanski, who become targets of the Manson Family cult.The film is a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age, featuring a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines that intersect with real-life events and figures. The film also marks the final appearance of actor Luke Perry, who died before the film’s release and to whom the film is dedicated.
2. Descendants 3 2019，IMDB Rating: 6.6，Douban Rating: 6.6
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Descendants 3 is a musical fantasy TV movie that follows the teenage children of Disney’s most infamous villains as they face new challenges and adventures in Auradon. The movie features the late Cameron Boyce as Carlos, son of Cruella de Vil, who died before the movie was released. The movie is dedicated to his memory and celebrates his talent and legacy.
3. Captain Marvel 2019，IMDB Rating: 6.9，Douban Rating: 6.9
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Captain Marvel is a 2019 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It stars Brie Larson as Carol Danvers, a former Air Force pilot who gains superpowers after being exposed to an alien energy source. She joins forces with Nick Fury, a young S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, to stop a war between two alien races, the Kree and the Skrulls, that threatens Earth.The film is set in 1995 and explores Danvers’ past and identity as she tries to recover her memories. It also features several actors who reprise their roles from previous Marvel Cinematic Universe films, such as Samuel L. Jackson, Clark Gregg, Lee Pace, and Djimon Hounsou. The film pays tribute to Stan Lee, the co-creator of Captain Marvel, who died in 2018 and makes a cameo appearance in the film.
4. Batman Vs. Two-Face 2017，IMDB Rating: 6.2，Douban Rating: 5.8
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Batman Vs. Two-Face 2017 is an animated film based on the 1960s Batman TV series, featuring the voices of Adam West, Burt Ward, William Shatner and Julie Newmar. The film follows Batman and Robin as they face off against other villains and a new Two-Face in Gotham City.The film received mostly positive reviews from critics and fans, who praised the voice acting, animation, writing, and nostalgia factor. The film was also a tribute to Adam West, who passed away before the film’s release, and who delivered his final performance as Batman.
5. That Good Night 2017，IMDB Rating: 6.6，Douban Rating: 8.0
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That Good Night is a British drama film starring John Hurt as Ralph, a terminally ill screenwriter who wants to reconcile with his son and die with dignity. The film is based on a play by N. J. Crisp and was directed by Eric Styles. It was also the final film of John Hurt, who died in January 2017, before the film’s release in June 2017. The film explores themes of mortality, family, and legacy, as Ralph faces his fears and regrets while trying to make peace with his loved ones and himself. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Hurt’s performance but criticized the script and direction. The film also features Charles Dance as The Visitor, a mysterious man who offers Ralph a choice between life and death.
6. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker 2019，IMDB Rating: 6.6，Douban Rating: 6.3
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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is the final episode of the nine-part Skywalker saga, directed by J.J. Abrams and starring Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and more. Rey faces Kylo Ren, Palpatine and a new threat in the riveting conclusion of the action-adventure fantasy series.The film is also notable for featuring some actors who passed away before finishing their final movie, such as Carrie Fisher, who reprised her role as Leia Organa using archive footage, and Peter Mayhew, who was replaced by Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca after his death in 2019. Other actors who died before seeing their final film include Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Walker, Heath Ledger, James Dean, Bruce Lee, Brandon Lee, Marilyn Monroe, Chris Farley and many more.
7. Thoroughbreds 2017，IMDB Rating: 6.7，Douban Rating: 6.3
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Thoroughbreds is a dark comedy thriller film that follows two teenage girls who plot to kill one of their stepfathers with the help of a drug dealer. The film stars Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin, Paul Sparks, and Francie Swift. It was written and directed by Cory Finley in his feature debut. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017 and was released in 2018. It was the last U.S. film to feature Anton Yelchin, who died in a car accident in 2016, and the film is dedicated to his memory.
8. Alice Through the Looking Glass 2016，IMDB Rating: 6.2，Douban Rating: 6.9
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Alice Through the Looking Glass is a fantasy adventure film based on the characters created by Lewis Carroll. It is the sequel to the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland, and features the return of Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, and Mia Wasikowska as Alice. The film also introduces Sacha Baron Cohen as Time, a powerful being who controls the flow of time in Wonderland.Alice Through the Looking Glass was released in 2016, four years after the death of Alan Rickman, who voiced Absolem, the Caterpillar turned Butterfly. Rickman had recorded his lines before his passing, and the film was dedicated to his memory.
9. Eye in the Sky 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.3，Douban Rating: 7.8
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Eye in the Sky 2015 is a British thriller film that explores the ethical challenges of drone warfare. The film stars Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, and Barkhad Abdi. The film follows a multinational team of military and political leaders who must decide whether to launch a drone strike against a group of terrorists in Kenya who are planning a suicide bombing. The film also features one of the last performances of Alan Rickman, who died in January 2016 before the film’s release.
10. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 2015，IMDB Rating: 6.6，Douban Rating: 6.4
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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 is the final installment of the dystopian sci-fi franchise based on the novels by Suzanne Collins. It follows Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her allies as they launch a final assault on the tyrannical Capitol, led by President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Along the way, Katniss faces personal and moral dilemmas, as well as unexpected twists and betrayals.The film features one of the last performances of Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died of a drug overdose in February 2014, before completing his scenes as Plutarch Heavensbee, the rebel leader and former gamemaker. Hoffman had filmed most of his scenes, but some were completed using digital effects and a double. His character’s dialogue was also reduced or given to other characters.
11. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus 2009，IMDB Rating: 6.8，Douban Rating: 6.9
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The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantasy film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Lily Cole, and others. The film follows the adventures of a traveling theater troupe led by Doctor Parnassus, who has made a deal with the devil to exchange his immortality for youth and the love of a woman. However, he must also give up his daughter Valentina to the devil on her 16th birthday, unless he can find someone to take his place.The film was Ledger’s last before his death in 2008, and he had only completed filming his scenes in London before he passed away. Gilliam decided to finish the film by casting Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell as different versions of Ledger’s character Tony, who changes appearance whenever he enters the magical realm of the imaginarium. The film is dedicated to Ledger’s memory and also features a tribute to him in the end credits.
12. Enter the Dragon 1973，IMDB Rating: 7.7，Douban Rating: 8.3
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Enter the Dragon is a 1973 martial arts film starring Bruce Lee, John Saxon, and Jim Kelly. It was Lee’s final completed film before his death at age 32 from cerebral edema. The film follows Lee, a Shaolin martial artist who is recruited by a British intelligence agent to infiltrate a mysterious island owned by a crime lord named Han, who hosts a martial arts tournament every three years. Lee’s mission is to gather evidence of Han’s involvement in drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as to avenge his sister’s death at the hands of one of Han’s henchmen.
13. Plan 9 from Outer Space 1957，IMDB Rating: 4.0，Douban Rating: 5.9
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Plan 9 from Outer Space is a cult classic film that is widely considered to be one of the worst movies ever made. It was directed by Ed Wood, who also wrote, produced, and edited the film. The film stars Bela Lugosi, who died before the filming was completed, and features a flying saucer, zombies, and aliens who want to stop humanity from creating a doomsday weapon. The film is full of continuity errors, bad acting, cheap sets, and unintentional humor. The film was released in 1957 and has gained a loyal fan base over the years for its so-bad-it’s-good quality.
14. Rebel Without a Cause 1955，IMDB Rating: 7.7，Douban Rating: 8.0
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Rebel Without a Cause is a 1955 American coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Nicholas Ray and starring James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo. The film explores the lives and struggles of three troubled teenagers in suburban Los Angeles, who rebel against their parents, society, and authority. The film was one of the first to portray the alienation and angst of youth culture, and became a landmark of cinematic history. The film was also the last one to feature James Dean, who died in a car accident a month before its release.
15. Giant 1956，IMDB Rating: 7.6，Douban Rating: 8.1
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One of the actors who died before finishing their final movie was James Dean, who played Jett Rink, a ranch hand who becomes a wealthy oil tycoon and rival of the Benedict family. Dean died in a car crash on September 30, 1955, at the age of 24, after completing most of his scenes for Giant. However, some of his voice parts had to be dubbed by his friend Nick Adams, who imitated Dean’s voice. Dean was posthumously nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Giant, making him the first actor to receive two posthumous acting nominations (the first one was for East of Eden).