A while back, I released a preview of a film script that I am working on.
Link to original article:
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/NewsGhost/news/?a=51589
Well, since it received mostly positive reviews, I am going to trust my pals here at CBM again! I've done substantially more work on the script. I've revised, added, and subtracted. While it's nowhere near to being completed, feedback helps fuel my motivation. The original article contained roughly five pages of formatted and ready-to-go manuscript material. This next preview contains the edited version of the previous material, and about ten more pages worth of the follow-up story. My only request to you, readers, is that you take into consideration that a film adaptation of this movie would have to encompass the series as a whole. As Joss Whedon said,
"I'm a great believer in the idea that if you make the first one to be a 'first one,' then you have already failed. As much as we want to service the idea of a film in a franchise, I want this to be a satisfying film experience. I don't want people to go out saying, "When's the next part?" I want people to say, "Oh, I want to see that again!"
I would have you know that I have a completely original story and plot in works for this movie. The film will adapt the series mostly verbatim up until a point, and then the central conflict will begin. I've probably said too much already; I don't want to give off the impression that I'm pulling a stint like Bioware, and I'm going to stir some controversy with the ending of a much-beloved series. You can rest assured that the film will remain true to the series..."mythos", if that word makes sense to you. I feel that a direct adaptation of a Futurama episode(s) wouldn't make sense. Why not just watch the whole first season back-to-back? Thus, my reason for creating a new plot is clear. In order to create a successful feature film adaptation of the 'Futurama' brand, a much larger-scale story is needed.
So, without further ado, here is your second preview of my script. I am trusting you not to steal my work! That wouldn't be very CBM-like of you. In case any Hollywood big-wigs are reading this: I WILL answer my email. Use the 'Contact Me' button. You will receive a response in less than a day or two. Thanks.
“FUTURAMA”
OPENING SCENE/CREDITS
Fade in
EXT. OUTER SPACE
The opening shot is outer space. Earth is in the distance. The view is zooming through space at an incredible pace. In between intervals of a few seconds, the opening credits/cast list is shown along with close-up shots of a bicycle being pedaled rapidly down a city sidewalk. Each shot reveals more of the rider.
The view gets closer and closer to Earth until it zooms in on New York City.
CUT TO:
INT. NEW YORK CITY -- MR. PANNUCCI’S PIZZA -- NIGHTTIME, DEC. 31, 1999
Phillip J. Fry is a pizza delivery boy in New York City. It is the eve of the new year, 2000, and he is working a late shift. He is goofing off at work during the last hour or so of his shift. He is playing an arcade game in the lobby when his boss calls him.
PANNUCCI
Yo Fry, you’sa gots one last call for the night!
Fry is not paying attention, he’s about to beat his high score. His boss peeps his head up from around the kitchen corner.
PANNUCCI (CONT’D)
(Heavy accent)
Hey! Slacker!
Fry is playing his game, and it’s getting intense.
PANNUCCI (CONT’D)
YO! FRY MAN!
“Losing sounds” on arcade game.
FRY
Awwww!!! Man Mr. Pannucci, I was about to beat my high score!
PANNUCCI
Hey Fry?
(Sympathetically)
FRY
Yeah?
PANNUCCI
I don’t give a crap.
(Hands over box of Pizza)
Take this to, uhhh,
(reading slip on box)
Applied Cryogenics, it’s east a few blocks, you can’t miss it.
Fry takes the box with a pouting face on. He starts for the door.
PANNUCCI (CONT’D)
Hey Fry!
Fry looks over his shoulder.
PANNUCCI (CONT’D)
Don’t eat any of the pizza. I’ve been gettin’ complaints from some of the customers.
Fry starts for the door again.
PANNUCCI (CONT’D)
Yo yo yo Fry man!
Fry looks over his shoulder, annoyed.
PANNUCCI (CONT’D)
Don’t...be...late!
(pointing a stubby finger)
No more free pizzas!
FRY
Oooooh kay Mr. Pannucci.
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW YORK CITY
Fry pulls his bike from around the corner, straps on a helmet, and takes off. He pedals like the wind and barely pays attention to what he is doing. The pizza is holding on for dear life.
Fry is riding as fast as he can. The city is bustling with excitement. He nearly gets run over as he weaves through traffic like a maniac. As he’s riding by, he stops for a moment at a red light. A voice from an adjacent car speaks to him. It’s Fry’s girlfriend, and she’s in a shiny convertible with another man.
MICHELLE
(Girlishly)
Fry?
Fry looks over in surprise. He is shocked to see her. He shuffles his helmet nervously.
FRY
Oh -- Uhh - Michelle! Uh, fancy seeing you here?
Michelle looks at him with a cockemammy attitude.
MICHELLE
Fry...look, I was gonna tell you later. I left your stuff out on the porch. You’re moving out.
FRY
I’m...moving out?
MICHELLE
Yeah...we’re over!
The guy in the car with her, Constantine, swoops over her shoulder and grins at Fry like an idiot.
CONSTANTINE
Yeah bud! I’m taking over from here. No hard feelings?
Fry is obviously heartbroken, but too dumb to fight back. Constantine gives Michelle a kiss on the lips.
FRY
Oh...yeah...no hard feelings... bud...
The light changes to green. Michelle grimaces as they drive off. Fry waves disheartedly. He watches Constantine speed off, weaving through traffic. Fry begins to tear up, as if to cry.
FRY (CONT’D)
I hate my life...
Fry pedals furiously down the sidewalk now, repeating to himself:
FRY (CONT’D)
I hate my life, I hate my life, I hate my life, I hate my life
CUT TO:
INT. APPLIED CRYOGENICS
Fry pulls his bike up to the steps of the unassuming office building. He drops it on the sidewalk and drops his helmet. He doesn’t care if somebody steals it. As he’s goes inside and takes a flight of stairs, a man calls to him from outside the front door. Fry looks outside from the stairwell.
MAN OUTSIDE
Happy New Year!
The man takes Fry’s bike and rides off with it. Fry sighs and goes back up the stairwell.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY WITH CRYOGENICS CHAMBER
Fry finds a doorway in the hallway with a tag on the door that says, “Applied Cryogenics”. He knocks on the door.
FRY
Pizza Delivery, Mr. Pannucci’s...pizza?
The door swings open; the door wasn’t closed. Fry enters cautiously, and sees that nobody is there. He sits the pizza down on a table near some cryogenic freezing tanks. Sighing, he rips the order form off of the pizza box. It reads like a normal receipt, until he flips it over and reads, “To I.C. Weiner”.
FRY (CONT’D)
I. C. Weiner? Awww man....dammit!
He drops the order form and lets it fall to the floor. Disgusted, he rips a chair from out under the table and plops down in it. He slides his backpack from off his back, and zips it open. He pulls a lukewarm beer out of it, and props his feet up on the table. Cracking open the beer, he listens to the sound of people outside cheering for the new year. Fry’s takes a long and hard look at the pizza box, the beer, and out the window. His eyes are sad.
FRY (CONT’D)
Well, here’s to another lousy millenium.
Fry picks up a Party Horn from out his pocket, sticks it in his mouth, and blows it. The chair rocks a little bit, but he doesn’t notice. The world outside is counting down to one. He blows it again, and the chair rocks. Right when the countdown gets to two, and then one, he blows the horn really really hard. This puts him off balance, and he flips over. He rolls into a cryogenic chamber, and the door shuts. He panics for a moment, and then is frozen.
TIMER ON CRYOGENIC CHAMBER
The timer reads “1000 Years -- Locking...” and then “Locked.”, blinking.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE TITLE, “FUTURAMA”
FADE IN:
INT. CRYOGENIC FREEZING CHAMBER LAB
Fry’s chamber beeps, and the door swings open slowly. Some steam floats out, and we see Fry place one hand on the edge of the door. Fry slowly steps out. We can see his breath like it’s a cold day. He looks around the room, scared, and has no idea what’s going on.
FRY
(Afraid)
Um...hello? What the hell just happened? I fell into your refrigerator here...wooh it’s cold in here!
The room is obviously different. He observes a few main differences, like the tables and chairs more futuristic looking. The blinds of the window have been remade into a metal shield. Fry stumbles over his feet making his way to the metal shutter. It is dark in the room, but he finds a button on the wall (it opens the blinds). Fry hesitates for a minute, being the dumbbutt that he is. A look of curious apprehension spreads across his face. He presses the button, and sunlight bursts into the room. Fry’s jaw hits the floor (figuratively).
FRY (CONT’D)
Woah...far out...
We see Fry standing with his back to the camera, looking out at the future. Cars fly by speedily, the buildings are all alit with lights and signs. He runs a hand through his hair, scratches his head, and drops his arm. His hand moves down to his backside, and he picks out a wedgie from his buttcrack. Suddenly, he whips around. He stoops down to read the meter on the cryo chamber.
FRY (CONT’D)
(reading the display)
Holy crap Batman! 1000 years!
Fry lets go of the chamber, and turns around. He slides to the floor, leaning up against the chamber like a chair as he sits on the floor. He is in shock, almost too much to handle.
QUICK FLASHBACKS
We see a shot of Michelle and Constantine waving bye and driving off, fading to a shot of Fry’s dog. The dog is Seymour, a brown shaggy dog. Then it fades to a hobo, the one that took his bike, laughing hysterically. It switches back to Fry’s face.
FRY (CONT’D)
Everybody I know....is gone...
Fry sits there for a second or two, despairing. Suddenly, he jumps up, throws his hands in the air, and shouts.
FRY (CONT’D)
Woooooooo! Party time!
Fry takes off running, and runs out the room as the automatic door lets him out, onlys stopping for a moment to look for a doorknob. He doesn’t make it down the hall before he nearly tackles a lab worker named Terry. Terry catches himself, but Fry falls. Fry jumps up and stares Terry in the face. Terry is a goofy looking man with glasses.
TERRY
Well hello there, Fry. Welcome to the 30th century.
FRY
Haah! A future guy!
TERRY
(deeply)
Welcome, to the world of Tomorrow.
Fry grabs Terry and jumps up and down, whooping.
TERRY (CONT’D)
Yes yes, now we have to get you into the system Fry! Come along now.
Terry grabs Fry by the hand and leads him down the hallway.
FRY
Where are we going?
TERRY
We’re going to get you all set up, just come along now.
INT. FATE ASSIGNMENT OFFICE - DAY
The automatic door opens, and we see Turanga Leela sitting at a desk. Her purple hair is drooped over her shoulder, we cannot see her face.
TERRY
Leela? We have a visitor...
FRY
Hi! I’m Fry!
Fry’s face is lit up with joy. For some reason, he loves her already. Romantic music begins to play, and he smiles big. When Leela turns her head, we see she has only one eye. We see Fry’s face turn sour for a second, the music skip a beat, but his face goes back to romantic again. The music picks up.
TERRY
Fry? Fry....fry...hello?
Terry is waving his hand in front of Fry’s face. Fry snaps out of it.
FRY
Yeah! Yeah what’s up homie?
TERRY
This is Leela. She’s the Fate Assignment Officer.
Leela waves, casually.
LEELA
Hey.
Leela swivels in her chair, and gets up. She approaches Fry with a handshake. Fry goes to accept it, but doesn’t. Instead, he cocks a funny look and leans in closer. Leela doesn’t flinch.
FRY
(pointing)
You...you’ve got one eye!
LEELA
(to Terry)
You always let the dumbtards out Terry?
FRY
(not phased)
Haha! That’s pretty cool!
Fry is still mesmerized. Leela looks at Terry, who shrugs.
LEELA
(To Terry)
Seriously?
TERRY
(Mouthing words)
Just go with it!
Leela retracts her handshake.
LEELA
Okay, let’s do this.
Leela goes to her seat. Terry turns to leave.
FRY
(giggling)
She’s got one eye! How wizard is that?!
Fry turns around to look for Terry, who’s not there.
FRY (CONT’D)
Terr? [short for Terry]
Terry leaves them. Leela sits down at the desk. Fry sits opposite her. He is still staring at her, mouth open. He is in love with her, but very curious about her eye. Leela seems unphased.
LEELA
Fry?
Fry snaps his eyes to her, and replies.
FRY
Yeah?
Leela raises an eyebrow.
LEELA
Do you know where you are?
FRY
Heaven?
LEELA
No.
FRY
America?
LEELA
Yes, but wrong answer.
FRY
I give up.
LEELA
(asking a question)
You were frozen for.......
FRY
(snapping his fingers)
Ooh ooh! One thousand-
LEELA
(finishing his sentence)
One thousand years, exactly.
Fry says, “Yeah...”
LEELA (CONT’D)
December thirty first, 2999. You’ve been in a cryogenic freezing chamber for one thousand years.
Fry puts his elbows on the desk, leaning in.
FRY
Yeah, cryogena flah hoozy doozy whatsa.
LEELA
(Pulling up a document)
So...tell me. How are you feeling at the moment?
FRY
Uhm..kinda hungry. Is there a Burger King around here? I want a Whopper with extra --
LEELA
I mean, heh, how do you feel about being here. In the future?
FRY
Oh...well, life in the 20th century really sucked! I was a total loser.
Fry looks out the window, dreamily.
FRY (CONT’D)
But now I have a second chance! No more girlfriend, no more job, no more icey weiner!
Leela looks at him like he’s retarded.
LEELA
Look I only have to ask you these things out of formality. I really don’t care. Okay, so, what was your occupation?
FRY
Delivery boy. I was a pizza delivery boy.
LEELA
(Under her breath)
Wow you WERE a loser.
FRY
Whaaa-?
LEELA
Nothing. Uhm let’s get you on the Probulator.
FRY
You wanna probe me later?
LEELA
No (laughs), heh, Christ you’re dumb. The PROBULATOR. It’s a machine!
FRY
OHHH okay, let’s go. I thought you said you wanted to probe...
Fry can see Leela is not laughing at him, or enjoying this at all. He stalls his sentence.
FRY (CONT’D)
Probe...me...later. Like a...thing -- yeah let’s go.
INT. HALLWAY
Leela and Fry are making their way to the Probulator room.
FRY (CONT’D)
(excited)
I mean, the 20th century bit the big one! You have no idea what it was like.
LEELA
Well this century isn’t too bad, but it’s nothing glorious. I’m sure you’ll be back to your loserly self in no time. In fact, you could probably do anything you want now.
FRY
Awesome.
They round a corner.
FRY (CONT’D)
Can I be a superhero?
LEELA
No.
FRY
Awwwwwwwwwwww!
They approach the door to the Probulator. Fry is still gibbering as they enter the room, but stops suddenly. The probulator is a huge and menacing looking machine.
LEELA
Alright, strip down and get on the table.
Fry looks at Leela, helpless with fear.
LEELA (CONT’D)
The good ol’ Probulator.
FRY
Don’t make me do it.
We see the outside of the closed door. It is silent for a little while. All of a sudden, we hear a loud whirring noise like a drill, followed by a blood-curdling and girly scream from Fry.
Fry and Leela reenter her office. Fry is groping at his butt, achingly. He is whining a little bit under his breath. Leela sits down at her computer.
LEELA
Okay Fry, now that that’s done, let’s see what comes up.
She notices Fry, who looks uncomfortable and trying to sit in the chair easily.
LEELA (CONT’D)
You ain’t seen nothing yet pal.
FRY
Whaaat?!
LEELA
Just messin’ with ya kid.
The computer pops up with an image of Professor Hubert Farnsworth, who is Fry’s x30 nephew.
LEELA (CONT’D)
Oh, looky here. You have a living relative.
She turns the computer screen around for him. Fry sees it and is very interested.
LEELA (CONT’D)
His name is Professor Hubert Farnsworth.
FRY
Oh wow, how are me and mister Fartsworth related?
LEELA
He’s your nephew. Thirty times removed. So technically you’re his uncle. Sweet, huh?
FRY
Heh, yeah! I’m an Uncle! The last time I was anything, I wasn’t!
LEELA
Umm...what?
FRY
What?
LEELA
...nevermind. Apparently, he’s a famous scientist, and he’s freaking old, because he’s 171 years old.
Leela turns an eager eye to Fry, who is clearly amazed.
LEELA (CONT’D)
So that’s cool. Wanna go see him?
FRY
Oh, sure! Let’s go, maybe he can help me out and stuff.
LEELA
Greeeeat. So let’s see what your job is gonna be.
Leela scrolls down some on the computer.
FRY
My job?
LEELA
(disappointed-like)
Oh...looks like you were meant to be a delivery boy.
(she turns to look at Fry directly)
How...lucky are you?
Fry is not happy at all.
FRY
Awww man! No! I’m not gonna be a delivery guy again!
Fry gets out of the chair to look at the screen closer.
FRY (CONT’D)
(standing in protest)
No no no no no! I won’t do it! I was a loser in my time and I won’t be one now! No more delivering pizzas!
Leela stands up also.
LEELA
(angry/frustrated)
Look pal, I got some more work to do, and I’m not gonna play around with your dumb behind any longer! You’re gonna be a delivery boy, and you’re gonna like it!
Leela pokes him in the chest.
FRY
Delivery, MAN, pokey Mcpokester!
LEELA
Delivery man, whatever!
Leela bends over and picks up a menacing claw-like device that will implant a chip in Fry’s hand.
LEELA (CONT’D)
Now give me your hand, this’ll only hurt for a second.
FRY
(Shocked)
Hay-ell no lady! What’s that for?!
LEELA
(admiring the device)
It’s to put a chip in your hand, forever marking you as a delivery boy.
FRY
Man! Delivery man!
LEELA
Yeah yeah yeah, now come on!
She chomps at his hand one good time, and misses. She chases him around the desk a few times before he heads for the door. They chase to the next room over, where the cryogenic tubes are. After scuffling around the furniture, Fry fakes her out, and pushes her into a tube. Before she can escape, the tube locks and sets itself for 1000 years. Fry is relieved. He takes a deep breath.
FRY
Whoo...man...good riddance.
Fry takes a step towards the tube. He places his hand on the glass, over Leela’s outstretched hand. He admires her good looks. A glazed over and sad look is in his eyes. He stoops down to look at the lock, reading that it says “1000 years”. Fry looks back up at Leela, and has a memory.
In the flashback, Fry remembers himself riding his bike to deliver a pizza. He stops at a sidewalk, when he thinks he sees Michelle in the window of a bar. He gets off his bike, takes off his helmet, and peeks into the window. Michelle is sitting at the bar next to Constantine, and they are laughing and having a good time. Fry puts his hand on the glass, like he’s doing in the present. He talks to himself while he watches.
FRY (CONT’D)
Huh...looks like Michelle made a new friend. Handsome guy!
Constantine gropes Michelle’s buttcheek with a hand behind her back. Michelle jumps excitedly.
FRY (CONT’D)
Haha, he’s a joker too! Kinda personal...but friendly.
Constantine kisses Michelle on the cheek. We see Fry in the window, with the same glazed-over look in his eyes. He is on the verge of thinking she might be cheating on him, but doesn’t let himself go that far.
FRY (CONT’D)
Huh....
A soda can hits the side of his head with a clunk from off screen. Fry is snapped out of his trance. A kid off-screen laughs at him, “Haha!”
FRY (CONT’D)
Hey! Douchebag...
He turns his attention to Michelle again, with his hand against the glass. In a close-up of his hand, he places a finger between Michelle and Constantine, separating them.
FRY (CONT’D)
I love you, Michelle.
The flashback ends, and we see Fry’s hand over Leela’s. He stooops down again and changes the timer to 5 minutes instead. Looking back at Leela, he makes a confession. He takes a step back from the machine.
FRY (CONT’D)
(to Leela)
I hope you find a nice guy, that makes you happy.....like Michelle did.
On that note, Fry turns and beats a path to the outside of the building.
So...whatcha think? Make your comments in the usual place.