History WhatCouldHaveBeen / NeonGenesisEvangelion

* When VSI Rome produced the Italian dub for the Netflix release, their manager wanted to use the original translations, but longtime writer Gualtiero Cannarsi rewrote the script. Fabrizio Mazzotta, who directed the original dub as well as the first Netflix dub, and the Netflix cast objected to Cannarsi's changes, but they were initially overruled. The dub was re-recorded with a new script by Laura Cosenza after Cannarsi's script was widely mocked by fans and critics.

* Anno revealed in October 2014 that he intended to make a new ''Evangelion'' film following the completion of ''Death and Rebirth'' and ''End of Evangelion''. The proposed project was to take place in an AlternateContinuity and have a overall DarkerAndEdgier and even bleaker tone than the original series; like the story taking place after humanity becoming almost extinct with the few remaining survivors clinging to life in a LastBastion and the Evangelions having much more BodyHorror associated with them (chiefly the idea that the pilot would have to be surgically removed from the Eva after a mission). However, the project was scrapped when ''Death and Rebirth'' went over schedule and caused ''End of Evangelion'' to be delayed, and the intended director of the project was reluctant towards it. Quite a few elements of the story, however, was later reused in ''Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion''. A certain manga about giants feels similar to this plot...

* Being in charge of the Brazillian Portuguese Vox redub for Netflix, Fábio Lucindo thought about giving up the role of Shinji in case he couldn't reach the desired high tone for his voice (he was 15 when he first voiced Shinji for the Locomtion dub and 35 when he directed the Netflix dub). As he commented in an interview with the website [=JBox=], he was considering casting Lipe Volpato as his replacement. However, that didn't happen and Fábio ended up dubbing Shinji in this version too.

* Being in charge of the Vox redub for Netflix, Fábio Lucindo thought about giving up the role of Shinji in case he couldn't reach the desired high tone for his voice (he was 15 when he first voiced Shinji for the Locomtion dub and 35 when he directed the Netflix dub). As he commented in an interview with the website [=JBox=], he was considering casting Lipe Volpato as his replacement. However, that didn't happen and Fábio ended up dubbing Shinji in this version too.

* Being in charge of the Vox redub for Netflix, Fábio Lucindo thought about giving up the role of Shinji in case he couldn't reach the desired high tone for his voice (he was 15 when he first voiced Shinji for the Locomtion dub and 35 when he directed the Netflix dub). As he commented in an interview with the website JBox, he was considering casting Lipe Volpato as his replacement. However, that didn't happen and Fábio ended up dubbing Shinji in this version too.

* When VSI Rome produced the Italian dub for the Netflix release, their manager wanted to use the original translations, but longtime writer Gualtiero Cannarsi rewrote the script. Fabrizio Mazzotta, who directed the original dub as well as the first Netflix dub, and the Netflix cast objected to Cannarsi's changes, but they were initially overruled. The dub was re-recorded with a new script by Laura Cosenza after Cannarsi's script was widely mocked by fans and critics.

* Anno revealed in October 2014 that he intended to make a new ''Evangelion'' film following the completion of ''Death and Rebirth'' and ''End of Evangelion''. The proposed project was to take place in an AlternateContinuity and have a overall DarkerAndEdgier and even bleaker tone than the original series; like the story taking place after humanity becoming almost extinct with the few remaining survivors clinging to life in a LastBastion and the Evangelions having much more BodyHorror associated with them. However, the project was scrapped when ''Death and Rebirth'' went over schedule and caused ''End of Evangelion'' to be delayed, and the intended director of the project was reluctant towards it. Quite a few elements of the story, however, was later reused in ''Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion''. A certain manga about giants feels similar to this plot...

* Creator/SpikeSpencer, Creator/AmandaWinnLee and Creator/TiffanyGrant all auditioned to [[RoleReprise reprise the respective voices]] of Shinji, Rei and Asuka for the Netflix English dub, which was recorded at VSI Los Angeles. However, the roles instead [[TheOtherDarrin went to]] Casey Mongillo (Shinji), Ryan Bartley (Rei) and Stephanie [=McKeon=] (Asuka). Before the Netflix release, however, Spencer and Grant did get to respectively reprise Shinji and Asuka in the ''Rebuild of Evangelion'' films.

* First of all, ''Evangelion'' was originally conceived as a sequel to Gainax's previous success ''Anime/NadiaTheSecretOfBlueWater'' (which had been originally conceived itself by Creator/HayaoMiyazaki as a sequel to ''Anime/FutureBoyConan''), as revealed in interviews with the Gainax staff in Mitsunari Oizumi's book ''Anno Hideaki Squizo Evangelion''. In this version of the story, the Gehirn organization was a secret remnant of Neo-Atlantis, and the Second Impact was caused by sixteen Adams released by the Red Noah upon being destroyed by Captain Nemo (which can actually be seen in the explosion sequence in ''Nadia'', represented as sixteen light spheres, as a SequelHook). However, as ''Nadia'''s rights were held by NHK, Anno and company were forced to develop it as an independent story. Traces of the relationship between the two still remain in the ''Nadia'' CD dramas and the video game ''VideoGame/NeonGenesisEvangelion2''.
* Anno originally considered to make the show at King Records, rather than it being a Gainax production, due to him having very good relations with the people in charge there. In the end, he ended up sticking with Gainax out of loyality to the company, with King Records instead being a major sponsor for the show.

* Shinji was supposed to be a girl, but they changed her into being a boy because ''Anime/GunBuster'' and ''Anime/NadiaTheSecretOfBlueWater'' both had female protagonists. His character design was still oficially based on Nadia, according to Sadamoto, and there were plans for him to have longer hair that would wave in the wind and that he could [[HiddenEyes hide behind]] during dramatic scenes, only that they shot it down because [[DudeLooksLikeALady he would have looked too feminine]] and too messy.

** The first one (Last A) is the closest to the final one, [[spoiler:but lacked the BookEnds Lilith/Rei, had the cast's names on the graves Shinji raised, showed Asuka kicking down hers (it is still shown to have been toppled in the final film after she returns from Instrumentality) and has the original version of the final line ("Idiot")]].

* Initially the final line was going to be "I won't let you kill me", initially preceded by a trademark "baka!"/"idiot!" that was erased from the storyboard. (The original script for Episode 26 had the line be proceeded, but it was removed from [=EoE's=] storyboard). However, according to Yuko Miyamura (Asuka's voice actress) Anno couldn't make her say it how he wanted it to sound, eventually he instead described [[spoiler:the masturbation scene to her from Asuka's perspective]] and had asked how she would react if it happened to her, which led to the current line: "Disgusting".

* First of all, ''Evangelion'' was originally conceived as a sequel to Gainax's previous success ''Anime/NadiaTheSecretOfBlueWater'' (which had been originally conceived itself by Creator/HayaoMiyazaki as a sequel to ''Anime/FutureBoyConan''), as revealed in interviews with the Gainax staff in Mitsunari Oizumi's book ''Anno Hideaki Squizo Evangelion''. In this version of the story, the Gehirn organization was a secret remnant of Neo-Atlantis, and the Second Impact was caused by sixteen Adams released by the Red Noah upon being destroyed by Captain Nemo (which can actually be seen in the explosion sequence in ''Nadia'', represented as sixteen light spheres, as a SequelHook). However, as ''Nadia'''s rights were held by NHK, Anno and company were forced to develop it as an independent story.

* Back when he worked in Creator/HayaoMiyazaki's movie ''Anime/NausicaaOfTheValleyOfTheWind'', Creator/HideakiAnno proposed Miyazaki a spinoff work featuring the Giant God Warriors, whose design had been Anno's work, but it was rejected. It is believed this idea would later influence the Evangelions in the eponymous series.
* Believe it or not, ''Evangelion'' was originally conceived as a sequel to Gainax's previous success ''Anime/NadiaTheSecretOfBlueWater'' (which had been originally conceived itself by Miyazaki as a sequel to ''Anime/FutureBoyConan''), as revealed in interviews with the Gainax staff in Mitsunari Oizumi's 1997 book. In this story, the Gehirn organization was a secret remnant of Neo-Atlantis, and the Second Impact was caused by sixteen Adams released by the Red Noah upon being destroyed by Captain Nemo (which can actually be seen in the explosion sequence, represented as sixteen light spheres, as a SequelHook). However, as ''Nadia'''s rights were held by NHK, Anno and company were forced to develop it as an independent story.

* Initially the final line was going to be "I won't let you kill me", initially preceded by a trademark "baka!"/"idiot!" that was erased from the storyboard. (The original script for Episode 26 had the line be proceeded, but it was removed from [=EoE's=] storyboard). However, ccording to Yuko Miyamura (Asuka's voice actress) Anno couldn't make her say it how he wanted it to sound, eventually he instead described [[spoiler:the masturbation scene to her from Asuka's perspective]] and had asked how she would react if it happened to her, which led to the current line: "I feel sick".

* Creator/SpikeSpencer, Creator/AmandaWinnLee and Creator/TiffanyGrant all auditioned to [[RoleReprise reprise the respective voices]] of Shinji, Rei and Asuka for the Netflix English dub, which was recorded at VSI Los Angeles. However, the roles instead [[TheOtherDarrin went to]] Casey Mongillo (Shinji), Ryan Bartley (Rei) and Stephanie [=McKeon=] (Asuka). Before the Netflix release, however, Spencer and Grant did get to reprise their roles in the ''Rebuild of Evangelion'' films.

* Creator/SpikeSpencer, Creator/AmandaWinnLee and Creator/TiffanyGrant all auditioned to reprise the respective voices of Shinji, Rei and Asuka for the Netflix English dub, which was recorded at VSI Los Angeles. However, the roles instead [[TheOtherDarrin went to]] Casey Mongillo (Shinji), Ryan Bartley (Rei) and Stephanie [=McKeon=] (Asuka).

* When VSI Rome produced the Italian dub for the Netflix release, their manager wanted to use the original translations, but longtime writer Gualtiero Cannarsi rewrote the script. ADR Director Fabrizio Mazzotta and the new cast objected to Cannarsi's changes, but they were initially overruled. The dub was re-recorded with a new script by Laura Cosenza after Cannarsi's script was widely mocked by fans and critics.

* At one point during production of the Netflix release, Oscar Garcia, the co-writer for the English adaptation, wanted to use the original ADV scripts, but Khara overruled it.

* Initially the final line was going to be "I won't let you kill me", initially preceded by a trademark "baka!"/"idiot!" that was erased from the storyboard. (The original script for Episode 26 had the line be proceeded , but it was removed from [=EoE's=] storyboard). However, ccording to Yuko Miyamura (Asuka's voice actress) Anno couldn't make her say it how he wanted it to sound, eventually he instead described [[spoiler:the masturbation scene to her from Asuka's perspective]] and had asked how she would react if it happened to her, which led to the current line: "I feel sick".

* Creator/SpikeSpencer, Creator/AmandaWinnLee and Creator/TiffanyGrant all auditioned to reprise the respective voices of Shinji, Rei and Asuka for the Netflix English dub, which was recorded at VSI Los Angeles. However, the roles instead [[TheOtherDarrin went to]] Casey Mongillo (Shinji), Ryan Bartley (Rei) and Stephanie [=McKeon=].

!!Plots and episodes

* ''The End of Evangelion'' is basically an expanded version of what was originally scripted for the final two episodes, hence the film being split into two parts. Had Gainax's budget not been shot, the finale would have just been a shorter version of the movie (albeit with less violent and sexual imagery). See below for more.

!!''The End of Evangelion''

!!''Rebuild of Evangelion''
* Rei was initially supposed to die during the battle with Zeruel in the second ''Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion'' movie. However, screenwriter Yoji Enokido argued that she should survive this time around.
* Ironically, the director of the films, who really wanted to develop the third Rei, was pissed off at this and managed to overturn the decision in the third movie, where it's revealed that Rei wasn't rescued after all and now Rei III has replaced her.
* Another scrapped plan for the second movie would've had Asuka and Mari piloting Eva Unit 02 together during the battle with Zeruel. In the final film Mari pilots it by herself since Asuka is hospitalized, though storyboards of the original idea can be seen on the DVD extras.
* Yet another abandoned idea would've shown Bardiel's mental attack on Asuka in greater detail. At one point Asuka would hallucinate [[BodyHorror her own face being ripped off]], only for it to [[AndIMustScream begin mocking her]]. Like the above scene, storyboards for the sequence can be found on the DVD release.
* Mari was originally conceived as a CrazyCatLady who owned dozens of cats at her house and having tattoos of them.
* Almost nothing of the preview for ''Rebuild 3.0'' made it into the actual film, which makes one wonder what they were planning originally.

!!Dub

* Creator/RobinWilliams, famous comic/actor and [[JustForFun/OneOfUs a big fan of Evangelion]], is said to have auditioned for the role of Gendo Ikari for the English dub of the ''Rebuild'' movies before Creator/JohnSwasey returned to reprise his role.

!!Production

* Shinji was supposed to have received the MindRape (from an Angel unrelated to Arael), not Asuka.
* And Shinji realized Asuka was in love with him rather than remaining oblivious to her hints.
* Dub-related: According to the commentary, Creator/AmandaWinnLee originally wanted to try out for the role of Misato, before Allison Keith's performance changed her mind.
* Creator/RobinWilliams, famous comic/actor and [[JustForFun/OneOfUs a big fan of Evangelion]], is said to have tried out for the role of Gendo Ikari for the English dub of the ''Rebuild'' movies.
* Kaworu was originally going to be a transfer student at the kids' school, rather than the newest Evangelion pilot. This was changed after Creator/HideakiAnno realized that the school setting had more or less been written out of the show by the time episode 24 came around.
* What would the later episodes have been if they had had the money? What is clear is that ''End of Evangelion'' was basically an expanded version of what was originally scripted for the final two episodes, hence the film being split into two parts. Had Gainax's budget not been shot, the finale would have just been a shorter version of the movie (albeit with less violent and sexual imagery.)
* Rei was initially supposed to die during the battle with Zeruel in the second ''Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion'' movie. However, screenwriter Yoji Enokido argued that she should survive this time around.
** Ironically, the director of the films, who really wanted to develop the third Rei, was pissed off at this and managed to overturn the decision in the third movie, where it's revealed that Rei wasn't rescued after all and now Rei III has replaced her.
** Another scrapped plan for the second movie would've had Asuka and Mari piloting Eva Unit 02 together during the battle with Zeruel. In the final film Mari pilots it by herself since Asuka is hospitalized, though storyboards of the original idea can be seen on the DVD extras.
** Yet another abandoned idea would've shown Bardiel's mental attack on Asuka in greater detail. At one point Asuka would hallucinate [[BodyHorror her own face being ripped off]], only for it to [[AndIMustScream begin mocking her]]. Like the above scene, storyboards for the sequence can be found on the DVD release.
** Mari was originally conceived as a CrazyCatLady who owned dozens of cats at her house and having tattoos of them.
** Almost nothing of the preview for ''Rebuild 3.0'' made it into the actual film, which makes one wonder what they were planning originally.
* Shinji was supposed to be a girl but they changed her into being a boy because ''Anime/GunBuster'' and ''Anime/NadiaTheSecretOfBlueWater'' both had female protagonists.
** Shinji was supposed to have longer hair that would wave in the wind and that he could [[HiddenEyes hide behind]] during dramatic scenes. They cut his hair because [[DudeLooksLikeALady he looked too feminine]] and too messy.

* Initially the final line of ''The End of Evangelion'' was going to be "I won't let you kill me" rather than the infamous "I feel sick". (The original script for Episode 26 had the line be proceeded by a trademark "baka!"/"idiot!", but it was removed from [=EoE's=] storyboard). According to Yuko Miyamura (Asuka's voice actor) Anno couldn't make her say it how he wanted it to sound, eventually he instead described [[spoiler:the masturbation scene to her from Asuka's perspective]] and had asked how she would react if it happened to her, which led to the current line.
* The leaked original script for episode 25 and 26 (which was used for ''The End of Evangelion'') featured two different proposed epilogues, neither of which corresponded completely with the one in film: The first one (Last A) is the closest to the final one, [[spoiler:but lacked the BookEnds Lilith/Rei, had the cast's names on the graves Shinji raised, showed Asuka kicking down hers (it is still shown to have been toppled in the final film after she returns from Instrumentality) and has the original version of the final line (see above)]]. The second one (Last B) however was much bleaker than the final film. It starts with Shinji laying on the beach holding Rei's hand before [[spoiler:Shinji turn his head to see the BookEnds Lilith/Rei. The camera then pans out to show that Shinji is only clutching the arm Rei lost earlier. His monologue then reveals that he was the only human self-reflective enough to ever return from Instrumentality, meaning he will be spending the rest of his life alone after finally finding the will to live with other people]]. After the credits starts both would have shown scenes revealing that Unit-01 had ended up on the moon, its/her helmet broken and revealing woman's hair.
* Published drafts for episode 24, as well as the previously mentioned ones for episode [=25+26/EoE=], shows that there had been plans to include a minor sub-plot about different characters visiting Toji in the hospital that eventually was cut.

* According to WordOfGod, Rei was initially supposed to die during the battle with Zeruel in the second ''Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion'' movie. However, screenwriter Yoji Enokido argued that she should survive this time around.

* Creator/RobinWilliams, famous comic/actor and [[OneOfUs a big fan of Evangelion]], is said to have tried out for the role of Gendo Ikari for the English dub of the ''Rebuild'' movies.

* Kaworu mentioned without name as a child with a cat. To those who have read the manga, this sounds even weirder. According to interviews with Anno the cat would have made it into the final product had it not been for budget-constrains. The same interviews also reveal that they had at one point considered introducing Kaworu earlier than they eventually did and that Shinji first would have found him playing an abandoned piano in some ruined house; this was incorporated into the manga adaptation.

* Initially the final line of End of Evangelion was going to be "I won't let you kill me" rather than the infamous "I feel sick". (The original scrip for Episode 26 had the line be proceeded by a trademark "baka!"/"idiot!", but it was removed from [=EoE's=] storyboard). According to Yuko Miyamura (Asuka's voice actor) Anno couldn't make her say it how he wanted it to sound, eventually he instead described [[spoiler:the masturbation scene to her from Asuka's perspective]] and had asked how she would react if it happened to her, which led to the current line.
* The leaked original script for episode 25 and 26 (which was used for the End of Evangelion) featured two different proposed epilogues, neither of which corresponded completely with the one in film: The first one (Last A) is the closest to the final one, [[spoiler:but lacked the BookEnds Lilith/Rei, had the cast's names on the graves Shinji raised, showed Asuka kicking down hers (it is still shown to have been toppled in the final film after she returns from Instrumentality) and has the original version of the final line (see above)]]. The second one (Last B) however was much bleaker than the final film. It starts with Shinji laying on the beach holding Rei's hand before [[spoiler:Shinji turn his head to see the BookEnds Lilith/Rei. The camera then pans out to show that Shinji is only clutching the arm Rei lost earlier. His monologue then reveals that he was the only human self-reflective enough to ever return from Instrumentality, meaning he will be spending the rest of his life alone after finally finding the will to live with other people]]. After the credits starts both would have shown scenes revealing that Unit-01 had ended up on the moon, its/her helmet broken and revealing woman's hair.

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