Movie Proposal

To:        JD
From:    DJ
Re:        Movie Concept
Date:     Feb 6, 2005

FG has bold concept for new flick. Lifestory with a twist.  Open with farm couple finding baby in some wreckage on a field. But – get this – kid is unhurt! Grows up.  Kid has – and I know this sounds bizarre – unusual powers. Shoot bullets at him – they bounce off! He’s strong – can lift cars, even trains!   Even better – and I know this is out there – the kid can fly! Not with wings or flapping his arms – he just goes where he wants, and fast – faster than a speeding bullet!

Backstory?  We’re still working on it.  LD thinks genetic mutation. VT says experiment gone awry.  PL has real out-there concept. Kid from another technologically-advanced planet (Encrypton?), blows up, sent to Earth, but our sun has special properties that give him the unusual powers. Big problem: Do those powers go away at night?   Don’t know. Also, immigration status unresolved.

Basic plot: kid wants to use his power to be a hero. Stop crime, save people. But worried that he’ll never lead an ordinary life.  So he lives by day as a normal man – maybe as a reporter?  TV journalist? Puts on special outfit when he is alter ego. (What do we call him? “Abnormalman?” FD says “Extraordinaryman.” Too many syllables. “Coolman?” “Superman?” “Niftyman?” “Marvelousman?”  We’ve got a focus group testing names.) How come people don’t recognize him?  As ordinary man, he wears glasses. No one will ever know.

You see where we’re going on this.  Premise is ripe with possibilities.  Does he date?  Do his friends know?  How strong is he? Can anything hurt him? FG says this holds possibility of sequel. I’m skeptical but maybe.

I know this cuts against grain.  Most stuff these days is talky, relationship-driven and focused on everyday problems. I see this as big, loud, and fast paced, with lots of battles and explosions. Never before seen. Does public buy into it? It’s a risk, but if yes, could change movies as we know them. If greenlight, then we can release for summer next year. You in?