Actors Advocate for Significant Changes to Their Characters and Scripts

NEW YORK — Several actors across film and television have taken active roles in reshaping their characters and scripts, advocating for changes that reflect their interpretations and values, according to reports from industry sources.

Bryce Dallas Howard, for example, insisted on keeping her character’s heels on in “Jurassic World,” viewing the footwear as a metaphor integral to the role. Similarly, Jon Bernthal, reprising his role as the Punisher in “Daredevil: Born Again,” exercised his improvisational skills by altering his lines to better fit his character’s mindset, prompting adjustments from fellow actors on set.

In the Netflix series “Stranger Things,” Maya Hawke contributed to the evolution of her character Robin’s storyline, advocating for a portrayal that included the character’s sexual orientation as gay. This change was the result of collaborative discussions with the show’s creators during filming. Additionally, Dacre Montgomery, who plays Billy in the same series, pushed for deeper exploration of his character’s backstory, particularly emphasizing the impact of Billy’s biological mother.

Jenna Ortega, starring in “Wednesday,” made selective changes to her character’s dialogue to maintain authenticity, opting out of lines she felt were inconsistent with the character’s personality. Her involvement expanded in the show’s second season, where she took on a producer role and participated in script discussions.

In the series “The Office,” actor John Krasinski opposed a storyline proposed by creator Greg Daniels that would have involved his character Jim cheating on Pam. Krasinski expressed concerns about alienating the audience and ultimately influenced the decision to maintain the integrity of the characters’ relationship.

Tommy Lee Jones made a notable choice during the filming of “Men in Black” by condensing a lengthy speech into a single, powerful glance, a move praised by the screenwriter for its effectiveness.

Naya Rivera advocated for a more serious portrayal of her character Santana Lopez’s relationship with Brittany on “Glee,” aiming to provide meaningful queer representation rather than treating it as a joke.

Anna Kendrick declined a romantic subplot for her character Beca in “Pitch Perfect 3,” resisting a storyline involving a music executive to avoid problematic implications, a decision that was ultimately respected by the production team.

These examples illustrate how actors have influenced storytelling by requesting script modifications and character adjustments, contributing to more nuanced and authentic portrayals on screen.