It’s been over 20 years since ‘Scooby-Doo’ first made it to the cinemas. But fans are still speculating about one of the major scenes that didn’t make it to the final movie.
The first cut of writer James Gunn included a scene that was creepy, strange, and completely out of place for a kids’ film. It was shot, edited, and then removed before release, and once you see that scene, you’ll understand exactly why it never made it to theaters.
The Scooby-Doo Scene Viewers Didn’t Get To See
Did you know that Gunn’s original script for Scooby-Doo wasn’t made for children? It was an R-rated version filled with darker humor and more mature themes. Among all the major and legendary moments it gave us, the locker room scene remains the most unforgettable. In the deleted scene, Velma appears in a bikini, but that’s not what makes it so memorable.
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When Daphne walks in, she notices something strange: Velma doesn’t seem like herself. The mood shifts instantly. When Daphne asks about the “creatures,” Velma slowly turns around, cracks her neck to the side, and lets out a terrifying, demonic scream. The moment almost feels like a scene from a horror movie, but it never made it to the final scene.
The Real Reason Why The Locker Room Scene Was Cut From The Movie
This Scooby Doo scene was cut from the film because it was too scary.
— Emir Han (@RealEmirHan) November 4, 2025
When test audiences first watched it, they felt disturbed by the nature of this scene.
This scene depicted a possessed Velma chasing for Daphne's soul.
pic.twitter.com/5h1pRH5gzf
As it turned out, when test audiences first saw Gunn’s original version, the reactions weren’t great. Many people felt the humor and scenes were too mature for a family movie. Since the studio wanted Scooby-Doo to appeal to both kids and adults, they decided to remove several jokes and scenes. However, not everyone agreed with that decision.
On Film Boards in 2009, one fan wrote that the “test audience should deserve to be punished.” Some called the locker room scene “amazing” and described Linda Cardellini’s acting as “dead-on scary.” They argued that since the movie was meant for fans who grew up with the cartoon, seeing Velma and others in bikinis for “two odd seconds” shouldn’t have been an issue.
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You’ll be surprised to know that the locker room sequence was only one part of Gunn’s more daring version of Scooby-Doo. His first cut included many mature themes and character details. However, those scenes were removed. For example, Velma was written as openly gay, Fred was portrayed as bisexual and self-absorbed. And, Shaggy’s love for certain “herbal snacks” became more obvious. Additionally, a filmed kiss between Velma and Daphne, where one of them was possessed. However, it never came in the final release.
According to Gunn, the studio even went so far as to reduce cleavage and other suggestive visuals in post-production digitally. The goal was to keep the film suitable for younger audiences. Due to these edits, the movie got a PG rating. It ended up being fun and family-friendly but much tamer than the version Gunn originally created.
Even with all the changes, Scooby-Doo became a cult favorite, loved for its humor and nostalgia. Still, fans can’t help but wonder what the full R-rated version would have looked like. Over the years, fans asked if Gunn’s original cut would ever be released. However, sadly, Gunn himself said some of the original footage is not there. And what remains may no longer be usable.
