That famous diner scene in Pulp Fiction was originally scripted to imagine an alternate outcome for the fate of the two robbers. In the beginning of the film, Pumpkin (Tim Roth) and Honey Bunny (Amanda Plummer) are shown drawing firearms in the middle of a crowded restaurant before demanding money from all of the patrons. This kicks off the story with some excitement as the opening credits roll while the film's iconic theme song plays.
We later find out what happens with Pumpkin and Honey Bunny toward the end of the feature. It is revealed that they just happened to rob the place while gangsters Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winfield (Samuel L. Jackson) are there for breakfast after a particularly rough morning. When Pumpkin attempts to take the briefcase Jules is holding, Jules manages to take his weapon and get the upper hand. After having a heart to heart, Jules decides that he's turned over a new leaf with his violent lifestyle and chooses to let the robbers walk freely out of the store with all of his money.
Speaking about the scene on a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Jackson noted how it was written to be a bit more violent. As Jackson explains, there's a moment where he sees himself shooting both Pumpkin and Honey Bunny to death once he takes control of the situation. Reality then sets back in, revealing that Jules had only imagined the killings. That might be how the old Jules would have handled things, but after envisioning going that route, Jules then opts to settle things more peacefully, going back to what happens in the theatrical ending.
“In the diner, when Tim Roth asks me to open that briefcase when I do it, I shoot him in the face and shoot Honey Bunny off the counter. When I open my eyes, they’re still there, because that’s what I would have done before [Jules] had transitioned.”
Samuel L. Jackson Still Can't Believe He Didn't Win an Oscar for Pulp Fiction
Everyone can agree that playing Jules is one of Samuel L. Jackson's best performances. Even so, he was not honored at the time with an Academy Award, as fans feel that he should have been. Jackson happens to agree with them. The actor said as much in an interview with The Times.
"I guess Black folk usually win for doing despicable s**t on screen. Like Denzel [Washington] for being a horrible cop in Training Day," Jackson suggested. "So maybe I should have won one. But Oscars don’t move the comma on your check — it’s about getting a**es in seats and I’ve done a good job of doing that."
He added, "All movies are valid. Some go to the cinema to be moved dearly. Some like superheroes. If somebody has more butts on seats it just means your audience is not as broad. There are people who have had successful careers but nobody can recite one line of their parts. I’m the guy who says s**t that’s on a T-shirt ... They should have an Oscar for the most popular movie, because that’s what the business is about.”