The 7 Best Unscripted Moments in Movie History

Every once in a while, actors are so in-character that they take control of a movie. Some of the most memorable moments in film history, in fact, were never actually scripted by a writer or director.

The king of the cool, cocky improvisation is undoubtedly Harrison Ford, who came up with one of the more indelible lines in the Star Wars canon. It’s pure magic (if a little bit unkind) when Princess Leia says “I love you” to the doomed Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back and he responds simply,  ”I know.”

Ford also improvised one of the most delightful moments in Raiders of the Lost Ark: Following a baddie’s impressive and threatening display of sword skills, Indiana Jones wearily dispatched his opponent with a fast pistol shot. Turns out Ford was sick with food poisoning that day, and instead of showing off his own mighty whip skills, the best he could do was end the encounter quickly.

We won’t spoil much more, but just know that when you act tough in front of your mirror and utter a certain inquisitive catchphrase, you have Robert De Niro’s impressive improv skills to thank.