Warning: Spoilers ahead for Final Destination Bloodlines!Final Destination Bloodlines‘ directors break down Tony Todd’s final scene in the franchise and William John Bludworth’s backstory. Despite being a fixture in the franchise, JB’s idenтιтy has remained a mystery until now. With an ensemble cast led by Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, and Richard Harmon, the sixth installment, released on May 16, sees a family in a race against Death during which they track down the only person who might be able to save them.
In an interview with Screen Rant, directors Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky talked about the late actor’s final scene in the movie, where JB’s relationship with Death is revealed. Stein shared that at the time of production, Todd, who died from stomach cancer last November, insisted that they keep him in the movie. Though they ᴀssumed this would be the actor’s last in the franchise, they didn’t know at the time that Final Destination Bloodlines would be his last. Read his comment below:
Stein: It was overwhelming, and we were so honored to work with him, and we worked with him on the story concept, as well, for his character, the sort of backstory that’s revealed. It was a great opportunity. He’s been such a mysterious character in all the other movies, but he’s never been a full person. You know what I mean? And there was this interesting opportunity here to give a backstory to the character, show why maybe he knows so much about Death, why he was so interested in premonitions for his whole life, and why he knows so much. And to kind of reveal that in a way that also you don’t expect when you’re watching the movie the first time was really a fun opportunity.
And then, to give him not only a proper beginning, but a proper ending, because we didn’t know that this would be his last movie, but we were pretty sure that this would be his last Final Destination movie, because these movies take years to make. He was quite sick even when we were making the movie. But he kept saying, “Don’t write me out of this movie. I need to be in this movie.” He was very joyful being on set, but it was quite an emotional time to be working with him.
Lipovsky shared that JB’s last line, “Life is precious. Enjoy every single second. You never know when,” wasn’t scripted, but rather Todd, speaking from his heart to the audience. Check out their comments below:
Lipovsky: And that kind of meta level you were talking about, sort of at the end, it was very much a moment of discovery that we did with him where we just said, “Throw away the script for a minute here. Just speak from the heart. What has this all been about? What’s on your mind?” And he just said, “Life is precious. Savor every second that you got.” Which is something he was very much living through in that moment, and he was showing us on set. He was cherishing every moment, and filled it with so much life and joy, and that kind of stuck with all of us, and it really comes through in that moment.
Stein: And it’s him speaking from the heart to the audience.
What This Means For Final Destination Bloodlines
The Scene Has Real Authenticity
Final Destination Bloodlines reveals that JB is the only other survivor from the Skyview Tower incident besides Iris and that he has been quietly surviving Death’s sinister attacks for years. In his brief last appearance, JB further confirms the only two known ways to cheat Death and the consequences that come with it if unsuccessful. At the same time, the scene closes the chapter for Tony Todd’s mysterious mortician, who, after running from Death for years, is ready to face it.
The directors’ comments put the late actor’s final scene into perspective. Just as the movie offered closure to his memorable character, it also seemingly captured Todd’s state of mind then, knowing his time was limited, which gave the scene real authenticity, making it a rare moment in the franchise. Todd pᴀssed away just months after the movie’s production.
Our Take On Tony Todd’s Final Scene In Final Destination Bloodlines
Couldn’t Ask For A Better Sendoff
Tony Todd has been JB since the first Final Destination movie. As the owner of a funeral home who has expert knowledge about Death, Bludworth has been widely regarded as Death’s messenger. However, his backstory in the sixth installment reconceptualizes everything we know about him and redefines him as one of Death’s targets, who was supposed to die at Skyview. The twist in Final Destination Bloodlines was not only shocking but also tragic.
I can’t ask for a better final scene for Todd’s character.
Todd’s final scene in Final Destination Bloodlines is poignant. It leaves JB’s fate open to interpretation, as the movie doesn’t feature his gruesome death, only that he’d be the next. At the same time, it also offers fans closure, having followed the mysterious character since 2000. Personally, I can’t ask for a better final scene for Todd’s character.
