American Werewolf in Paris: The Alternate Script of American Werewolf in London
David Kessler rampages down the streets in Piccadilly Circus, London, as a frightening werewolf. What if it was Paris, France, instead? Great Britain was very desperate to take credit for successful movies, but it started to cause implications with filming.
At the time, there was a draw to film in London due to the Eady Levy plan. The Eady Levy plan offered filmmakers a large tax cut for filming in the United Kingdom. Britain wanted more iconic films to take credit for, but the tax break attracted American artists rather than creating new British artists. To qualify as an Eady Levy film, 85% of the film needed to be shot in the United Kingdom, but the setting wasn’t enough recognition. London wanted to have successful directors, actors, and movies besides James Bond. Raiders of the Lost Ark and 2001: a Space Odyssey are two other successful Eady Levy films.
Issues started to arise trying to get work permits to film. London officials decided to grant only three of four work permits to John Landis’ team. They cunningly decided to deny David Naughton’s work permits, hoping they would recast the lead for a British actor. It was a battle for a few months of who would budge first. John Landis rewrote the script with Paris as the focus and threatened Britain with it. Unhappy, Britain caved but still denied access to Piccadilly Circus, the big finale, because it might terrorize civilians.
If you have seen the movie, you may have noticed the finale still takes place in Piccadilly Circus. When John Landis was told no, he realized the people who would enforce the no filming verdict were police officers. John was already a notable director, so when he went down to the precinct to ask if he could film, he got the yes he was after. The police helped control the crowds, redirect traffic, and put up barricades to film the finale and some scenes leading up to it. Due to the busyness of the area, some of the cars and people were not extras, and they just were in the way. The officer’s crowd control efforts were repaid by an early private screening of Blues Brothers.
The movie was a huge success and resulted in the academy award category for best makeup and hairstyling. Ironically, a sequel made by Anthony Walker was set in Paris, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the alternate movie script. In the end, London decided to end the Eady Levy Plan because the success of American Werewolf in London still did not bring them the credit they were after.
Written by: Alyssa Giaccone
Art by: Hannah Liu
