Warning: The following contains spoilers for Final Destination Bloodlines.Final Destination Bloodlines‘ directors reveal that part of Tony Todd’s final scene was unscripted. Since the first installment in 2000, the late actor has been a staple in the Final Destination franchise as mortician William Bludworth, a mysterious figure who appears to know a lot about Death. In the sixth installment, filmed only months before his pᴀssing, Todd reprised his role one last time and revealed JB’s true connection to Death’s plan.
In an interview with ScreenRant‘s Ash Crossan, co-directors Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky broke down the actor’s final scene in the franchise, which contains one unscripted moment. In the movie, Stephanie and her family confronted JB at the morgue. After revealing that he has been trying to outrun Death for years, JB, who has fallen ill, decides to live out the rest of his days in peace. Lipovsky shared that the character’s farewell was not in the script. Stein added that it was Todd “speaking from his heart.” Read the directors’ comments below:
Adam Stein: 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.
Zach 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.
Adam Stein: And it’s him speaking from the heart to the audience.
What This Means For Final Destination Bloodlines
Tony Todd’s Unscripted Moment Was From The Heart
Todd’s unscripted moment wasn’t exactly an improvisation. In ScreenRant‘s interview with Final Destination Bloodlines directors, they explained that, because of Todd’s condition and knowing how long it would take to make another movie, the team intentionally structured the scene as a way to give the icon an opportunity to say goodbye to the audience without breaking the fourth wall.
Stein also explained that the actor’s final scene made JB a “full person” rather than a mystery, as he was in the previous movies. Despite only having a brief appearance in the sixth installment, the movie sees JB in a great mental state, having made peace with his race against Death. The directors’ comments highlighted the actor’s high spirit on set and how it had been channeled into William Buludworth’s last scene.
Our Take On Tony Todd’s Unscripted Scene In Final Destination Bloodlines
The Scene Adds Depth To The Final Destination Franchise
Tony Todd’s final scene in the movie includes a major revelation about JB’s connection to Death’s plan that not only answers fans’ burning questions about the character but also offers closure. The unscripted moment was also a rare opportunity for the Candyman actor to share a word of wisdom and say goodbye to fans, which made Final Destination Bloodlines a very special installment in the franchise. Read his improvised line below:
I intend to enjoy the time I have left. And I suggest you do the same. Life is precious. Enjoy every single second. You never know when…Good luck.
The JB scene hits hard. It also adds depth to the Final Destination franchise, which revolves around seemingly accidental deaths that can happen to anyone at any time. Todd’s unscripted moment is a rarity in the horror genre, and it’s also one of the highlights in the top-performing Final Destination Bloodlines.
