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I recently read the coolest story about how some foreign countries are producing "original" TV shows using scripts from old American TV shows. As a writer, you would think I would be insulted by this or at least upset that there was that much less work. Please. How much writing work was I getting in Peru? If they find humor in a Spanish speaking Al Bundy, that's fine with me. I would love to see the Algerian Fred Sanford, or the Columbian Potsie.
I wanted to talk about remakes and sequels because I had gotten a few e-mails with the same question: Is it a good idea to write a spec script using someone else's characters?
I think that a writer writes. If you write something and it's good, you keep writing, which is kind of the point. You may not sell that particular script, but it could be the foundation for something you may end up writing and selling.
With sequels, you're in a no-win situation. If the first movie was a hit, the producers and studio execs are already itching to cash in on a crappy sequel... ahem... I mean, they're ready to continue the artistic integrity of this magnificent tale (and make more cash). They are in a position to hire the best writer to help them, and they don't want to hear from some shmo who thinks he knows better than they do. If the first movie wasn't that great (aka, no money and no fan following), then there's no motivation to make a sequel, so you can stop writing Lance and Akbar Go to Del Taco.
As far as using established characters such as comic book heroes, old TV shows or greek myths, most of these are probably already bouncing around the Hollywood idea room already. Could you do it better than a bunch of executives? Maybe. A fan who's been reading Iron Man for 20 years probably knows more about the character than the writer who gets hired to research him, but it's all about the sell. Maybe you could start writing Iron Man 3 right now and start knocking on Stan Lee's door right after the first film's a hit. You never know.
Still not dissuaded? Good. I wouldn't respect you if you were. A writer writes. Maybe it's time to finish your Captain America script. One day I'll finish my Judge Dredd script, and I'll see you at ComiCon. |
