Apocalypse
Princess Bride Sequel?
*Unedited*
6-30-2014
Is it possible to impress enough to work on such a project? I'm pressed for time right now but I wanted to post a few ideas about this. I haven't had time to edit it.
I’ve decided to write a speculative script as a sequel to The Princess Bride. This is a movie that should never see a sequel unless it’s written better than the original—and I suppose that’s the biggest reason this movie has not been sequeled. Because there are so many ways to do this wrong I want to show the best and the smartest movie producers and writers how to accomplish this tall task. The Princess Bride is one of the most quoted movies of all time. The sequel would need to live up to that metal and more. I’ll release a scene every so often via twitter and as soon as a producer or director gets smart enough to hire me for this project or another they’ll have the best writer on the market to make a lot of money.
A super box office success is nothing more than a formula. I comprehend how to produce these better than no other—but as an interested director or producer just always remember to take this kind of claim with skepticism until proven.
Who knows what to write and what not to write and still keep the fiber of entertainment inherent in the original in tact?
I prefer to use concepts that resonate with the subconscious.
Most good movies function with a common theme of Karma. Wesley was a dread pirate robber and what larger of a grudge could be more believable from someone who got away from Wesley on one of his heists? Just because this concept is so predictable it doesn’t mean it can’t be done well. To do it well a good writer must distract the viewer from that plot point as it’s being revealed.
To make the movie true to form we must help the audience root for the villain that meets up 25-30 years later to exact revenge on Wesley.
Remember – the original movie was about the victory of a good man gone evil. A good man turned into a mass murderer and plunderer. Although evil is evil the glory of piracy seems to resonate among many people. Perhaps this is because most of the rich people in primitive times tend to obtain their wealth through corrupt means. Although everyone roots for Wesley and Buttercup at the end of the first it’s time for him to meet the answer to his own personal karma.
How about I have the villain kidnap Wesley’s new family members one by one and hold them hostage? Nope, too corny.
Make the 2nd installment as quotable as the first? By all means.
Orchestrate a plot twist that involves a super old miracle max? Make it so.
Reveal Fezzik’s giant Son? Of course.
To replicate and exceed the same feelings of elation from an original movie the writer must stage each event to synergize with previous and upcoming scenes and themes.
The Man in Black’s arch enemy a ‘man in black’ 2.0? Sounds about right.
Things to remember not to do:
Do not reveal a hunky dory plot setting where the crew from the first are doing great.
Reveal the villain in the opening scene but don’t reveal he’s the villain. The villain raises up a son who woos the daughter of Buttercup and the men in black. They get involved and engaged to marry. The Villain’s son is scheming along with his father.
The Villain also raises up a couple daughters who are single and use them to lure the sons of Inigo and the man in Black to romantic interest.
Keep the same Timbre of the old movie by reinventing scene themes from the first: fencing, giants, fighting, monsters, chases, escapes, miracles, true love, etc.
To be successful the script must be written in a way that sets the same tone as the first from start to finish. This means the writer must not script settings that contrast with circumstances from the first too sharply. Adding exotic scenes and circumstances will not help the movie one bit. A few big scenes with many extras will be an effective way to show the evolution of the films effects and authenticity. The use of modernized cinematography can enhance the experience but if overdone it can also create an impact that will draw away from the original experience.
Keep the effects within the same dimensions as the first: Avoid too much CGI.
Script the movie perfectly as a compliment to the first movie and then make the action even better.
Title the movie:
‘The Princess Bride’s Fairy Tale Ending”. The viewer will find more amusement in the title at the end.
As a director I would choose Fred Savage to be the reader of this old and obscured sequel.
I’ll recreate the same irony we saw as far as chemistry between Fred and his grandpa to Fred’s Nieces and nephew.
This spec Script will not be written in the current and common Hollywood style so I can save time. I will wait to be hired before I take a scripting format into account.
*Update 7-25-2014*
There are a few themes that will trick the mind into feeling some of the same emotions from the first film. Here are the good ones:
*Add a plot point where the Princess is living like a queen among her Kingdom.
*Build up to the same music(but improve the quality) and similar Climax that we heard during the battle of Inigo and Rugan. The portion that needs to be replicated is the part right after Count Rugan tries to make his death strike (right after stabbing Inigo near each shoulder), Inigo blocks and we hear the music syncopate to each parry. There were 4 clashes per music note: Clash, Clash, Clash, Clash! "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die".
*possibly Incapacitate the man in black again(like when he was not able to move much more than his mouth)
There are a lot of concepts that should not be repeated but the comedic humor and rhythm needs to be replicated but made even better.
Set the stage to suggest that Westley is dead from the beginning.
It would be very important for us to see stuff in Princess's kingdom start to be gradually stolen from them. Although it will be tempting It's important not to add flashback scenes. The plot of the original unfolded without them and that's another important factor to factor in. I imagine 1 flashback scene may be appropriate if it's done right.
The flashback scene I would use would be one prior to when the man in Black fakes his death and he says "even if I look dead or am put in a grave, remember I will always come for you"
Making Inigo a guard to the Princess will be important(after Westley's circumstance is broken down again). Establishing the understanding that Inigo took over Westley's business will be important. Inigo decides to retire and join Westley when he discovers the circumstances of the new kingdom in array.
A plot point to send 'Westley Jr' to a super old version of miracle Max to make another miracle pill (before things get too complicated) will be effective. In the same scene he asks for a potion as a false poison that is designed only to incapacitate.
Westley a Necromancer? This will be a way to make the movie into something amazing. I'll show you why it's a genius idea later.
*End of 7-25-2014 update*
Begin Spec Script
For the sake of the script Fred Savage will be cast as ‘Uncle Sam’
Uncle Sam’s sister introduces him. He has come into town on a business trip and his sister has him baby sit her two children the night before his conference. Her kids are a boy and a girl who are twins at the same age at about 9 or 10 years old.
Uncle Same is introduced by his sister at the door of her home:
It’s in the afternoon in early September, the doorbell rings, she comes to the door
Uncle Sam’s sister Lynette(consider looking at Drew Barrymore to play this role): Uncle Sam(they embrace) Nice to see you.
Uncle Sam: You and Dan, tonight right?
Lynette: Yep. Yeah the kids are in the family room—(her tone becomes
Satirical, exactly like Fred from the first movie when he said ‘is this a kissing book?’) they’re playing their games again. (her tone becomes lighter)Do you want to help them with that?
Uncle Sam: (as if caught off Guard)Yeah
(he pauses for a moment then his eyes light up and then he gestures at his sister with his pointer finger) I got a great idea.
Uncle Sam sets down his suitcase and his overcoat while Lynette walks into the family room. The camera view switches to the family room.
Lynette: Alright guys uncle Fred’s gonna take over tonight.
Samantha(Fred’s niece): Is he that strange guy that pinches little kid’s cheeks?
Lynette: No, that would be your Great Grampa. (She changes her tone to assure her kids)He past away a few years ago.
Samantha: Ok.
Lynette: He’ll be coming right in.
The camera pans to Fred in the other room. He has just removed his book out of his suitcase. He tip toes towards the door and then practices his Grand Dad’s famed door entrance, as close as he can remember. He practices it once and it appears a little slow. He does another practice rep up to speed and then follows with a soulful attempt to re-assure himself that repeating the same entrance will work[ie he bobs his head in affirmation while looking up & disfiguring his mouth] He then bursts in through the door just the way his Grampa did in the first movie.
Uncle Sam: HEEEYYYY!
(Uncle Sam chooses the wrong door to burst into and finds himself in the laundry room. He scares the resident cat and it bursts off the washing machine and past Uncle Sam)
Samantha: They’re over here Fred.
(She holds the door for him and he walks through)
Uncle Sam attempts a mini burst through the door, shaking slightly.
Uncle Sam: HEEYY..
Both kids keep playing their video games for a few seconds(like Mario Kart 8).
Samantha: Oh hi Uncle Sam.
Ross(Lynette’s other child): What are you doing with that Book(as if surprised to even see one)?
Uncle Sam: Well guys I’m here to watch you while your parents go out tonight.
-----(1st Scene of scripting is incomplete until I have time to complete it)
List of concepts to integrate:
Remember, good movie concepts start as an idea. In order to be successful each concept must unfold with good math(ie perfect scripting).
"Not to fifty" - A great idea to integrate as part of the second installment. I will show how to make a quote like that work.