Column Chronicles: Movie working titles revealed

Movie working titles revealed

Frank Cotolo
April 7, 2022

When the public sees a motion picture, it is not aware that the film did not have the title they know when in production. I, being connected to impeccable sources in Hollywood, am able to reveal the working titles of hit movies. Here are a few, with more to come.

THE REVENANT
Oscar-winning on many levels, the blockbuster movie began production with the titles HUNTING BARE; THE REDUNDANT; THE RETURNEE; THE REVENGER and TOUGH WAY TO MAKE A LIVING.

ROMANCING THE STONE
Almost turning into a franchise, the original film was released after it was titled: BATTLING THE BITCH; STONED ROMANCE; LOVE IS A JUNGLE; UKELELE SERENADE.

THE SIXTH SENSE
This one was originally called the title of the original script and its revisions: THE SICK SENSE; KIDS SEE THE CRAZIEST THINGS; AFTERLIFE OCCUPATIONS and OPTICAL DISILLUSIONS.

TOY STORY
The first full-length CGI animated full-length feature did not settle upon its simple title until after it was called TOYS ARE NOT US; LIVING DOLLS; GROW UP KID; CHEAP GIFTS; TOY TALE; TOY TOME; TOY FABLE; TOY YARN; TOYS SUCK.

KNOCKED UP
Before the euphemistic title, this one was called BANGED BAD; BIG BELLY BLUES; INSEMINATION SENSATION and IT'S NOT MINE, BABYCAKES.

300
The stylistic blockbuster had a slew of working titles, including PARTIN SPARTAN; XERXES MERCIES; THE HOT QUEEN; DOING IT GREEK STYLE; LEONIDAS REUNITE US; THREE HUNDRED (using letters); MACHISMO GREEK STYLE and PURGING PERSIA.

Frank Cotolo can be found hosting the talk and interview programme Cotolo Chronicles. You can send him an e-mail at this address: frank@148.ca.