Yahoo Movies Casper's ending was rewritten by JJ Abrams
Along with Hocus Pocus, Casper is right up there with annual Halloween rewatches that are fun for all the family.
But to go with the spooky japes, the movie also packs an emotional punch as the ending sees Casper (Malachi Pearson) briefly turned back into his human form so he can enjoy a dance with Kat (Christina Ricci).
"Can I keep you?" he tells her as the pair literally float and share a kiss before Casper turns back into a ghost, understandably freaking out the rest of the party guests as a simple "boo" sends them scuttling.
What you might not be aware of is that the ending was all the work of JJ Abrams early on in his career, way before his work on the likes of Mission: Impossible III, Star Wars and Star Trek.
Abrams did some uncredited writing work on Casper, which had been adapted for the screen by Sherri Stoner and Deanna Oliver from the Harvey Comics character Casper the Friendly Ghost.
The movie was produced by Steven Spielberg and he confirmed to EW that Abrams did some writing work on the 1995 classic.
"At this time in his career, [Abrams] wasn't yet a director, but a writer, and he was a great writer," Spielberg recalled. "He was very witty and he adores plot structure and storytelling."
It's not clear just how much work Abrams did on Casper, but we know he was responsible for the ending thanks to Devon Sawa, who played the human version of Casper (although his voice was dubbed over with Pearson's).
"A young [JJ Abrams] was asked to write an alternate ending for a movie in '94," Sawa wrote on Twitter in 2018.
"The ending was approved and a nationwide casting call was launched. I sent a VHS tape down to casting directors and a week later booked the role of Casper. I've been working ever since. Thanks JJ."
A young @jjabrams was asked to write an alternate ending for a movie in 94. The ending was approved and a nation wide casting call was launched. I sent a VHS tape down to casting directors and a week later booked the role of Casper. I’ve been working ever since. Thanks JJ.
— devon sawa (@DevonESawa) August 1, 2018
It's not clear what the original ending was, but it's hard to see it topping the one that Abrams created and looking at it now with hindsight, it seems obvious that it was the work of Abrams.
The big emotion of the scene has echoes of the likes of the death of Kirk's father in Star Trek and Han Solo's appearance in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Even on numerous rewatches, Casper's ending still packs a punch.
So thanks for that JJ, we think. But if you're also responsible for the heartwrenching bit where Casper recalls how he died, we're not sure we'll ever forgive you.
Casper is available to watch on Sky Cinema and NOW, while you can also rent the movie from Prime Video.
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