TBF, Mags, you have been doing a lot of the heavylifting for the quest, so this will be in good hands.
To be clear to everyone, this is just me burning out on imagination of the quest, since my muse has been hitting me over the head a lot with so many different ideas that I just can't find myself too interested in this.
I'll still hang out here, though, since this still does have a sepcial place in my heart.
I'd like to thank you all for making this a wonderful experience while it lasted.
I'd also like to thank @Magoose, @Fluffy_serpent, and @Martin Noctis for doing so much to help prepare and write this quest. I couldn't have done it without you all.
Well then, safe to say if the Soviets liberal usage of chemical & biological weapons go public then not only will they be seen as no better than the Nazis, it'll sour the international popularity of Socialism & Communism forever. Soviets, you've done goofed.
While we did have a few disaster rolls, things are pretty good for the most part and with Gosling #2 in the oven I guess it's time to plan what Bruce's career strategy is. The baby will likely be born in April/May so I don't think we can join any of the movies made next year. Maybe we can join Airplane or make our own movie in the meantime.
This Just Got Strange Turn 67 Results (July-August 1979):
-[X]Keeping a Promise: You did promise Mark you and Carrie would help do the media work for Empire. So you would. DC: ???Rolled: D100 - 10 => 16
To say that you failed on the matter was entirely on you. You decided that you wanted to play around, not answer any questions, and instead taunt them all, by making them out to be fools who were hack writers who bashed you unabashedly on the celluloid of Film.
Thankfully it didn't go as bad as you thought it would, because Carrie, darling and love of your life, was absolutely capable of stopping you from your destructive rants on television, stopping you from saying anything that could have caused untold damage to not only yourself, but to Empire.
Failure: You are very lucky to have Carrie stop you from doing something stupid and you do not suffer a roll malus to critics or audience.
Everyone in the world, however, knows of your blood feud with professional critics as well as the many newspapers and magazines who want to get into your life. And many support you.
Though you think your fan girls don't. Considering the incredible bounty of photos of you.
Yeah this is definitely a big oof. Fortunately I got some Empire interview Omakes cooking up but a darn shame and unfortuante we couldn't get Carrie's +40 with us even though she was involved. Really hope this doesn't screw up our chances of getting Best Actor.
-[X]Huge moments of What the Fuck Francis: So Everyone is in Awe about your directing… and you think Francis is jealous. DC: ??? Rolled:D100 => 84
Francis was trying his best to not drink in his office, and you were looking at him with clear fear and worry, as you sat down. "Francis, did you ask for me?"
"Did I?" you realized he was drunk. Extremely drunk. You were uncomfortable. He then looked at the bottle. "Seems I did."
"Francis, you are drunk." You asked. "Let me-"
"I'm right there, being told I'm not the best in the world anymore. Only Steve and George and you are the ones who are all they talk about, but I made the fucking Godfather film, and that was when they talked about me… and they won't shut the fuck about you."
He was… confessing to you? "Yet, all I see is just the fun you are having, you guys are just having fun. And I can't because it's like I don't matter."
You found yourself saying something. "But we do care, that's why you are here. We are giving you everything because you are the best. And want to see what happens when you don't have to worry about anything."
There was a moment that passed before Francis threw the bottle at the wall, and then wept.
You didn't know what to do, so you just called an ambulance and hoped that he was okay. Umm…
But when Francis returned after a week in the hospital, he came to you with a script… A script that one of the writers room wrote. It was Dune.
"Tell me when you are ready."
Reward: You inadvertently, helped Francis get off his bender, and got him hospitalized for it. But now, that he's sober and back in control of his faculties, he realizes just what a gift you and George gave him.
He wants to work on Dune… Partially because he wants to outdo Star Wars in his own way. Also, he liked it quite a bit. Enough to get his mind going.
And you realize that he's doing crazy things to keep all films on schedule.
@overmind I know that you're gunning for Keanu to play Paul, but considering that Francis really needs Dune to get his groove back and keep well away from the deep end, I think for the greater good we need to give him Dune now and cast someone else as Paul unless Magoose is willing to have Keanu star early. Keanu will still be a super star, but helping a friend is very important. Plus on the bright side, this means a greater chance of Frank Herbert seeing Dune 1 and 2 before he dies.
-[X]Saving John Milnus: Um… So John has been trapped in Romania for the last two months… and from what you learned… He's playing Cat and Mouse the Soviet Army… Um… The film he has better be worth it… something about War Crimes? DC:??? (John will be fine, but the film that he has… may be destroyed) Rolled:D100 => 94+20=114
John looked down and away from the screen before he pointed towards several written Cyrillic words.
And the only one that had been edited before it arrived was something that terrified you.
Smallpox. "Are you sure about this?" You asked.
John looked away. "Keep watching."
Another piece of one word that was shown, this time it was from a scientist they were interviewing, in full hazmat gear. "What's going on?" It was John's voice.
The scientist was speaking in Russian, but his eyes told a different story. He was blinking heavily, and you remembered your father telling you about a soldier who blinked torture while being held captive during a broadcast to America.
The one that said torture.
You watched his eyes and translated them. It said Anthrax.
You almost collapsed. "They releasing biological weapons onto Romania?" You said, as you looked to John, who pulled out a bottle of Vodka.
John then opened the bottle and drank it.
Reward: John Milnus has discovered, much to his horror, that the Soviet Army is releasing biological and chemical weapons on the Civilian population of Romania.
John has several hours' worth of evidence that would be devastating to Soviet Prestige and diplomatic standing.
Let's give the CIA a 4th of July present and give the Soviets their biggest knock in prestige in the Cold War and hopefully start the dominoes to fall down in reverse as the Warsaw Pact rises up and the Soviet economy gets fucked by embargoes. Hopefully this causes a major downgrade in popularity of global Communist movements so Reagan doesn't need to do stuff like Contras because Nicaragua and other Latin Marxist countries overthrow their leadership. Real disgusting shit, but considering all the crimes against humanity the Soviets did and their genocide against the Afghans in their war, hardly unsurprising. Still, this is a massive genie opener that'll change the rules of the game.
Also me thinks that when Reagan proposes SDI, he'll get a lot more popular support because he's not seen as a loon, but a sane man whose protecting America from a nation that deploys biochemical weapons on a supposedly allied country.
-[X]The Holy Father Wishes to Speak to You: His Holiness John Paul the Second has invited you to Vatican city. He says it's an urgent matter that requires you. DC: ??? Rolled:D100 => 55
You were there in Vatican City, waiting in the official chambers of His Holiness when he finally entered, and as he sat, you bowed and kissed his ring, officially, and not touching it with your lips, trying to remember how to greet him from his aides.
Once that was done, he smiled and he spoke English. "I hope you can forgive me, but my English isn't as good."
You found yourself giving a chuckle. "Well I don't know Polish, so I think we can forgive each other for that transgression." You paused. Before finally asking. "I still wonder why I am here, Holy Father, and why this meeting was so urgent?"
His Holiness only gave a smile. "You know little of the way of decorum Mister O'Brian."
That made you give another chuckle. "What can I say, I'm a New Yorker."
His Holiness nodded and laughed at the joke. "It is a strange thing to say, but there are some people among my staff and those I have met abroad that think your films are striking back at the great authoritarianism of the East, providing hope in ways that galvanize many into action. Would you consider that accurate?"
You shook your head. "I don't think my films, or those made by my company, are any more galvanizing as the word of the Gospel. At least in my mind."
His Holiness smiled. "Indeed." He then took a breath. "I have heard you are into fitness and keeping your body fit?"
You nodded. "I am, and I heard you were as well." You then looked at the gift you prepared. "I hope that they are to your liking?"
He smiled at the gift. "They are perfect."
-------------------------------------------------------
Unforeseen Consequences:D100 => 94
His Holiness smiled at the King of Spain. "I think we both can find a way to help each other."
------------------
Reward: You have met with the pope, and while it was not the most substantive of meetings, it was enlightening. You also gave him some sportswear and equipment that he really liked.
That was some nice wholesomeness. Shame it wasn't the high success I was hoping for, but at least it was a fairly positive meeting and with our gift and inspiration in exercise, maybe we're gonna help John Paul II live to the 2010's. Hope we managed to inspire positive changes, especially with that unforseen consequences. Since Bruce is a firm advocate of liberal democracy, I'm hoping that the Pope is helping Spain become a healthy democracy instead of a slide towards heavy monarchism. Wouldn't mind more meetings in the future.
Magoose, did anyone else in the family meet the Pope or visit the Vatican during the vacation? I was tempted to write a prayer action to have John Paul II do a blessing for Bruce, Carrie and Mary but I didn't want to risk anything if the papal action was low.
-[X]The Towering Intellect of Mary O'Brian: Mary can talk, that much you knew. You didn't know she was reading Shakespeare and the bible with Grandma Debbie. DC:??? Rolled:D100 => 95
It was incredible to see Mary read all those works and begin to recite them all with perfect clarity and vigor as if she was understanding the words of the stories themselves and their meaning.
You wanted to do more to see just how much she was learning, but instead, she smiled. "Daddy, can we dance like with Brandon?"
You smiled. "Maybe when you're a little taller. But I promise."
When you went to a doctor, you were told that Mary was easily the smartest girl he had ever seen, a genius that was well... she was a genius, who seemed to be mastering reading English at a rate that he had never seen before.
It honestly frightened you. But she was still your little girl and you were going to do your best to take care of her.
Reward: Mary is a Genius according to the doctors you visited... and without any neurodivergent traits.
Damn we got some real good genes with how Mary is developing. Although some credit should be given to Carrie as I don't think Bruce or any of his siblings developed like this and for all of Bruce's brain, he doesn't have the raw potential that Mary seems to be displaying. Hopefully the other Goslings share Mary's talent as well. If Mary and the others follow Bruce and Carrie in entertainment, I can see some lamenting that the O'Brians were cruel to the world by not making scientists and doctors. Also kind of wished I did the Strong trait, lol. Might work to make that happen in the future.
-[X]In Comes the Republicans: So Ronald Reagen has requested that you come to speak at the Republican National Convention as the Keynote speaker next year. They want a response now. DC: ??? (Why?) (Also, Linetail yes or no if you want to do this. Not choosing this action will be seen as a no.)
--[X] Yes Rolled:D100 => 80
So you got the go ahead. Finally. At least this wil have a happy ending.
Reward: You will speak at the Republican National Convention next year.
Glad to see this will work out. Even though Reagan is kind of destined to win, having Bruce in at this key moment could lead to some great things. Reagan gave a speech for Goldwater in 1964 that was brilliant, and despite Goldwater losing in a landslide Reagan's "A Time for Choosing" made him a national icon and started his journey to the White House.
-[X]Networking: Well time to start finding out who might actually be interested in meeting you. (Write-in what you want to try and network with)
--[X] Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker. ZAZ as they refer to themselves, are a trio of experienced comedians trying to make their own Hollywood film. The pitch is an absurdist comedy parodying Universal's Airport series and other disaster films. Making a great comedy while making fun of Universal? Yes please! Arrange a meeting and try to fund and distribute Airplane as a Lucsfilms movie. Rolled:D100 => 90
Zaz were really happy to see that they were being taken seriously, especially when Mike all but gave them a blank check to make their film.
And Mike was producing this one himself.
Reward: Airplane will be released and produced by Lucasfilms.
----------------------------------------------------
--[X] Sean S. Cunningham. Mike is very eager to delve into horror, and this Sean guy has been pitching around town and making grandiose promises of a slasher film that's scarier than Halloween. Arrange a meeting and try to fund and distribute Friday the 13th. Rolled:D100 => 1
Sean was interested. Until 20th Century Fox cut him a better deal. And then he dropped you all like he was going to make more money there
Hell, he didn't even return your calls about anything. He just ignored you.
Critical Failure: At Least Universal didn't get that film rights.
-----------------------------------------------
--[X] Steve Jobs. He's our brother's boss and also head of the other most innovative technology company. Try and find out if Bruce can invest in the company as he has faith in the People working in it, or if Lucasfilm and Apple can work together on projects. Rolled:D100 => 15
Steve Jobs, is a fucking asshole. You said that straight to his face as he told you that he was not interested in working with anyone who isn't the best, and he did not see you as such.
Gavin told you that it was okay, but you should have come up with a better pitch. Starting with Dollar signs and possibilities about making something that could catapult his company to the top.
And how you wondered your offer insured him.
Thankfully, he could get the Steves to talk to you again, in a few weeks. Just also remember to promise to make him boat loads of cash.
Failure.
AN: So my power went out and I had to write most of it on the phone. Forgive any wierd formatting.
Shame about all of this, but there could definitely have been worse consequences. At the very least we managed to score one of the greatest comedies of all time so that's a plus. Friday the 13th will at least still be made and not be Universal, and at least we can try again with the Steves. Don't know what to do, and I wish I could have made an Omake but I have absolutely no clue about what to write. I am a History and Political Science major and suck at STEM, this kind of stuff is not my groove.
No, this is worst, their using Biological Weaponry, manmade viruses and such, not even the Nazi's did that publicly, since that is literally asking for a Black Plague: the Electric Boogaloo to happen, and arguably worse then the nukes firing, cause at least you know what is happening and will die quickly.
Plus if one of these viruses make their way across the iron curtain and start infecting NATO populations, you got a strong justification for Article 5 being used so the Soviets are doing their best to push the clock to midnight with this sort of escalation. It's the same type of shit as if Russia blew up that nuclear reactor in Ukraine because the fallout would infect Europe, thereby making it an attack on NATO.
So guys we may have just destroyed the Soviet Union as an idea now because we have footage of them being monsters and more I believe the world would rebel against the communist now
I don't know if we can kill the Soviets by the start of the new decade, but in terms of reaction I expect a more escalated version of how the world is responding to Ukraine. Only it's worse for the Soviets here because China at this point has split with them and is becoming a De Facto US ally in the Cold war and India doesn't have the economy to bail out the Soviets and there's no great regional conflicts at this time to distract the US.
@overmind I know that you're gunning for Keanu to play Paul, but considering that Francis really needs Dune to get his groove back and keep well away from the deep end, I think for the greater good we need to give him Dune now and cast someone else as Paul unless Magoose is willing to have Keanu star early. Keanu will still be a super star, but helping a friend is very important. Plus on the bright side, this means a greater chance of Frank Herbert seeing Dune 1 and 2 before he dies
other Goslings share Mary's talent as well. If Mary and the others follow Bruce and Carrie in entertainment, I can see some lamenting that the O'Brians were cruel to the world by not making scientists and doctors. Also kind of wished I did the Strong trait, lol. Might work to make that happen in the future
Well here is the thing… Mary is clearly been nurtured by two very loving parents and grand parents.
This also helped her.
As for everything else… we'll whos to say she wants to be an actress… like we're not forcing her to and we're not one of those crazy parents that want them to be like us.
Glad to see this will work out. Even though Reagan is kind of destined to win, having Bruce in at this key moment could lead to some great things. Reagan gave a speech for Goldwater in 1964 that was brilliant, and despite Goldwater losing in a landslide Reagan's "A Time for Choosing" made him a national icon and started his journey to the White House
Plus if one of these viruses make their way across the iron curtain and start infecting NATO populations, you got a strong justification for Article 5 being used so the Soviets are doing their best to push the clock to midnight with this sort of escalation. It's the same type of shit as if Russia blew up that nuclear reactor in Ukraine because the fallout would infect Europe, thereby making it an attack on NATO.
@overmind I know that you're gunning for Keanu to play Paul, but considering that Francis really needs Dune to get his groove back and keep well away from the deep end, I think for the greater good we need to give him Dune now and cast someone else as Paul unless Magoose is willing to have Keanu star early. Keanu will still be a super star, but helping a friend is very important. Plus on the bright side, this means a greater chance of Frank Herbert seeing Dune 1 and 2 before he dies.
Well, we ususally begin projects of this magnitude at the beginning of each year, so at the beginning of 1980. I guess it would be fine, it's just one year, and we can still cast Keanu by then. All right, we can begin the production as soon as the new year begins then. So long as Francis is free by then, since as Magoose said he's still producing three films at the moment.
Also, don't forget my Pitch also has Dune being Produced by us, and acting as Duncan Idaho as well. Well, at least the first part, though we still need the second part to be written.
@Magoose , by the way what are the scripts done this time? I mean, it's June already.
John Milnus has discovered, much to his horror, that the Soviet Army is releasing biological and chemical weapons on the Civilian population of Romania.
Well we were already pissed at the russians then and today but with this oh hoy would the blood feud be immense i wouldn't be suprised if we stared pulling mossad like ops against soviet oficials or communists in general
Well we were already pissed at the russians then and today but with this oh hoy would the blood feud be immense i would be suprised if we stared pulling mossad like ops again soviet oficials or communists in general
Well, we ususally begin projects of this magnitude at the beginning of each year, so at the beginning of 1980. I guess it would be fine, it's just one year, and we can still cast Keanu by then. All right, we can begin the production as soon as the new year begins then. So long as Francis is free by then, since as Magoose said he's still producing three films at the moment.
Also, don't forget my Pitch also has Dune being Produced by us, and acting as Duncan Idaho as well. Well, at least the first part, though we still need the second part to be written.
@Magoose , by the way what are the scripts done this time? I mean, it's June already.
Problem with playing Duncan Idaho is that by the time filming begins, Carrie is going to be heavily pregnant and she'll likely give birth in the middle of Dune's production. Considering we left her for the majority of her pregnancy with Mary, I want Bruce to be there for Carrie throughout it and stay by her side for at least the first 3-6 months of Gosling II's life. So if we're gonna be Dune, a majority of it will have to be in the Lucasfilms lot cause I don't want to go adventuring in the Middle East and get fucked over like with Conan.
This brings us to the important question of what should Bruce do for the rest of the pregnancy? Stick to just acting and business and do roles in TV episodes or a movie role, or direct and star in a small budget film we can film on the lot or nearby, at least in America?
Magoose, did anyone else in the family meet the Pope or visit the Vatican during the vacation? I was tempted to write a prayer action to have John Paul II do a blessing for Bruce, Carrie and Mary but I didn't want to risk anything if the papal action was low.
Funny thing is now not even the old people will support a return of the communists government and russia f uped hard because if i recall romania had verry good relations with the west at this time soooo they are realy f in politics
Funny thing is now not even the old people will support a return of the communists government and russia f uped hard because if i recall romania had verry good relations with the west at thos time soooo they are realy f in politics
Don't forget the Soviets also raped Romanians too so this is a raping of nanij situation too like now they would be compared to the freaking pre war japan when they did it
This brings us to the important question of what should Bruce do for the rest of the pregnancy? Stick to just acting and business and do roles in TV episodes or a movie role, or direct and star in a small budget film we can film on the lot or nearby, at least in America?
Funny thing is now not even the old people will support a return of the communists government and russia f uped hard because if i recall romania had verry good relations with the west at this time soooo they are realy f in politics
Oh man @Magoose will the news papers blast at that the end of communism is near and how many Soviets are looking to blame the Goose for this since our guy works at the company that made them look like fools in the Olympics
Alien Directed by: Ridley Scott
Written by: Dan O'Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Produced by: Gordon Carroll, David Giler, Walter Hill
Production and Distribution: 20th Century Fox
Starring: Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto
Budget: $15 Million Global Box Office Gross: $724,696,372
People can say what they will about Lucasfilms' reputation, but they cannot deny that by now Lucasfilms is now a leading powerhouse of Hollywood and an institution of the global film industry. The same cannot be said for 20th Century Fox which up until May had been treated as a joke and the Sick Man of Hollywood. Throughout the 1970's, 20th Century Fox had constant disaster after disaster in production issues and box office performance. When a movie wasn't canned due to production hell, it more often than not stunk financially with a box office bomb being the norm instead of the exception. You could count on one, maybe two good Fox movies per year but nothing outstanding since The French Connection and only the Planet of the Apes series was their real financially productive set of films.
With this constant failure came apprehension from both veteran and new filmmakers and as such they were pushed away to all the other studios and distributors. 20th Century was just bad to the entire town, and what was even worse they didn't have much of a gimmick to really draw people in. Before Sony, Fox had been starting to draw in the rookie filmmakers, but after Sony went crazy with their Indie spree, only the truly desperate who wanted a budget more than a million went to Fox. All the studios could smell blood in the water with Fox being only a few bombs from collapse and it was widely expected that there would be a repeat of the Warner Bros partition in 1980.
To prevent the end of another member of the Big Five, Fox's leadership decided to pour everything into one all or nothing film, a sci-fi horror simply titled Alien. It was a Star Wars clone with the supposed twist of an ordinary crew of spacers fighting to survive against a deadly and unstoppable killing machine, a slasher in outer space. Everyone kind of laughed it off as the dreams of a dying man. But then War of the Worlds, Gundam and Halloween proved that the Star Wars experience could be replicated and slashers could make for great films. Then interest really started to explode last year when Fox released what was honestly perhaps the best trailer you had ever seen, even better than Star Wars. A gripping setting piece involving an egg and then cutting to very disturbing music with a flurry of images of people in panic and going insane along with a tabby cat. That got people hooked, and now everyone was keenly interested in what this "Star Wars horror" would be.
Unfortunately you didn't attend the premiere for Alien. You had returned from finishing Empire in England earlier that May and exhausted and not wanting to deal with film responsibilities, you took a break and just relaxed with family and hung out with friends. Besides, it was a Fox movie, at best it would be mediocre. Mark and George went to the film premiere however, and they both came back with glowing reviews of one of the best movies they had ever seen and the scariest, scarier than even Halloween. Very curious, you went to a late night showing with Carrie and Todd and experienced what you considered to be the standard bearer for Horror, and probably the closest a movie has come to Star Wars outside of Lucasfilms itself.
The story was about a group of spacers aboard the ship Nostromo. In the far future, they acted as in essence space truckers transporting back raw materials to Earth, in essence if Han Solo worked for Union-Pacific. In the middle of their months long voyage, the crew is awakened from cryosleep to investigate a mysterious transmission of possible alien origin from an unknown planet. Half of the crew is sent to explore the planet, and a mixture of human error and insidious corporate plots lead to one of the crew members being infected with a parasite, which later bursts out of their chest and grows into the ultimate killing machine that is now on the hunt for all of the crew. Now they must struggle to do all they can to survive as there is no chance of fighting the titular Alien, only running from it. Unfortunately their struggle is bleak, for in space, no one can hear you scream.
Perhaps what shocked you most was that such a high quality movie came from Ridley Scott of all people. You remember vividly your time working with the man briefly on the set of Born Again, how you wasted the chance to guest star in Columbo to be on a set run by a vague control freak who pushed you to act in a messy manner. Here Ridley did a fantastic job in creating tension and horror well before you met the Alien halfway into the movie. There was amazing cinematography with long and lingering tracking shots and wide shots which showed the full scope of the situation while then switching to close ups on characters to show their anxiety and unease with a situation or how they settle into panic with action. The camera work alone was great, but it was supported by beautiful set design which looked like a Ralph sketch. It was no mere coincidence as most of the production crew and art directors were veterans of the original Star Wars who were hired specifically for that portion of their resume. From said experience, they managed to create a Star Wars-esque setting which then morphed into a horror film thanks to the beautiful designs of H.R Giger who was practically Ralph and Tomino's equal in art design. What really stood out to you in all the similarities to Star Wars was how the Nostromo looked like a really gritty and lived-in ship, very utilitarian and playing well to its purpose as a cargo hold, something that would have been perfect in Star Wars if the Falcon needed a replacement.
The actors all gave top notch performances, their highlights being their genuineness and relatability like Halloween, only instead of teenagers these were blue-collar workers going through the motions and trying to deal with a crisis well above their paygrade. It was hard to tell for most of the film who would survive thanks to the vagueness of the ensemble making everyone mostly equal as heroes and they all had their strengths with their character's personality. They also seemed to go really above and beyond in pantomime and choreography with great reactions to the gore and horror and some nice action scenes in playing with the Alien. You would love to work with any of the castmembers in the future, most especially Sigourney Weaver who reminded you of an older Carrie and had equal talent to her. Of course, the greatest star and what made Alien truly standout was its antagonist in the titular Alien, or Xenomorph as it was apparently called in the tie-in novel. Giger really did a hell of a job in making an otherworldly creature that was the stuff of nightmares, an ultimate killing machine with insidious perfection in its design that stalked and overwhelmed the heroes. Honestly superior in design to all the Star Wars species and the way it installed terror through its biology and hunting patterns was brilliant.
It was clear that Alien was going to be a success, what you and everyone else, probably even Fox did not expect was for it to become the 5th highest grossing movie and probably would have been the highest of the year if not for Conan. In that you think you were very much responsible with the Star Wars Director's Cut backfiring as it came out three weeks before Alien, thus making the public fall in love with Star Wars all over again just before a great Star Wars homage was set to be released. For the end of May and much of June the theaters were a three way battle between Star Wars Director's Cut, Conan the Barbarian and Alien with Alien managing to do well with teens and adults. Audiences had a fun time getting scared out of their minds with it practically being Halloween in June for them and were happy that they got more Star Wars-esque movies. Critics praised Alien as the perfect combination of Sci-Fi and horror with the usual accolades being given to its VFX, art direction and direction. Alien also seemed to be making something of a social impact as Sigourney Weaver overnight became a household name with critics and audiences alike praising Ellen Ripley as the perfect progression in female power and badassery from Leia, a survivor who took leadership in a time of crisis and beat all the odds against an impossible creature to live to see another day. It was like Laurie Stroud in space except Ripley didn't need rescuing and defeated the slasher on her own. Carrie herself was a major fan and in your Empire interview said she hoped she could kick as much ass as Ripley in the next film. Good job Sigourney.
With such a major box office hit, it seemed that for now Fox was here to stay, pulling a Columbia to show that they didn't hear no bell ringing and were hear to stay. All the other studios were pretty pissed that they wouldn't be getting a slice of the Fox pie anytime soon, and Mike himself drank heavily to a missed opportunity. What you expected next from Fox was probably a full jump to Sci-Fi and Horror. What you did NOT expect was for the comeback kid to immediately pull a UA and sell out to foreigners:
Australian News Mogul Rupert Murdoch Purchases 20th Century Fox for $600 Million
Australia? Up until now the only notable exports they had in film were Olivia Newton-John and Mad Max. Unlike Sony and Japan, they weren't even a powerhouse economy that dominated the global trade network aside from leadership in beef and uranium. Not to mention just how the hell does a newspaper guy have enough liquid capitol to make $600 million? Did he pull an Alan?
Wanting answers after reading about the news in the Wall Street Journal, you stopped by the office and visited Mike, "Mike, who the hell is Rupert Murdoch and should we be worried about him?" You ask, dropping a copy of the Journal on his desk.
Mike stared at the newspaper and looked like he formed a mini-aneurysm at the sight. "Oh boy, that Kangaroo bastard really did it."
"You mean you knew about this? I didn't hear anything like the Sony campaign." You say, settling down in a chair opposite Mike.
Mike sighs as he fills a glass with water, "Well that's cause unlike Sony, Rupert is subtle. And it's not like I explicitly knew that this was going to be a done thing, I just heard that he was in talks with Fox but I didn't peg him as the type to go all in without stock building."
"Okay, so who is he?"
"The guy is basically a right-wing Citizen Kane. He owns the largest non-entertainment media empire in the world with a near monopoly on news publications in Australia and New Zealand and recently has begun making major purchases in the States and Britain, just three years ago he bought the New York post." Mike informed.
"So the guy just wants to make conservative propaganda?" You asked.
"Kind of. That's what most of his publications support, but he isn't afraid to bat for the other team and you'll find him being chummy with Democrats and other left-wing parties in the Anglosphere, even endorsing Liberal candidates and their bills on occasion. So far all I know for sure about the guy is that he's a huge advocate of free market economics, real Barry Goldwater there." Mike said.
"Why does he want to purchase Fox?"
"We're in the age of billion dollar movies and if you play your cards right you can make enough money to last multiple lifetimes off of one film. Movies are the new stock market, that's why Universal's swarming with Wall Street types and tycoons. For Rupert personally, probably just wants a slice of Hollywood when we're making major social impact and starting revolutions," You wince at the reminder of Romania, "Stuff like Star Wars is more powerful than any Newspaper, thus it's another asset for his media empire."
"So Fox is just a propaganda machine now?" You confirm.
Mike shook his head, "Rupert's a narcissist, but he's not a gambler like Alan. Man's gonna play it safe, follow the trends and capitalize on what's popular, so we're gonna see a lot of Aliens. Aside from a few movies per year, he'll leave the politics to his papers, just focus on restoring the Fox brand and making it have the same impact as us."
That still left one thing you were really confused about, "Why did Fox sell out though? They just made one of the best movies ever, why not try to stand their ground and make more great stuff?"
"Cause their leadership isn't full of dreamers like Disney and they don't have the passion like Alan. They just got saved from bankruptcy and the board is looking at some nice retirement funds from both Alien and the deal. Most of Alien's profits were used to pay off debts, and now that they're no longer responsible for Fox tanking, they'll take Murdoch's money and buy some yachts and mansions. If Sony hadn't bought UA they might have bought Fox buy now, and if they weren't such arrogant assholes then Fox definitely would have been theirs."
Over the next couple of months you and the rest of Hollywood watched in apprehension over just what was going on at Fox. Like Columbia, it was taken off the stock market, only instead of going full private it was just made one part of Murdoch's News Corp as a subsidiary. Most of the Fox leadership remained outside of a few Murdoch appointments, and Fox was trying to keep the appearances of business as usual with nothing too major visible outside of Ridley Scott entering contract talks.
Now that Fox had some prestige restored, filmmakers like Sean Cunningham were being attracted to Century City like moths to a flame and dozens of filmmakers who didn't have great prestige or connections and wouldn't settle for million dollar budgets were trying to get their pitches in. You'll have to wait and see what will become of Fox, but from what Mike's spies have learned these are Fox's priorities. More Sci-Fi, horror, and franchises.
I loved this Sidestory, and the whole "Rupert Murdoch buys Fox really hit me out of nowhere (though it shouldn't have). Man, we really brought the age of billion dollar movies way too early. We still should make sure that middle budget and low budget projects never die liek they're doing right now though.
Lets do it then here! For the lols when the public and politicians were just expecting a nice political speech but then get an eye full of soviet war crimes shoved in everyone's faces.
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Written by: Dan O'Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Produced by: Gordon Carroll, David Giler, Walter Hill
Production and Distribution: 20th Century Fox
Starring: Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto
Reward: John Milnus has discovered, much to his horror, that the Soviet Army is releasing biological and chemical weapons on the Civilian population of Romania.
Just realized it, but 'cause of this people gonna be doing a lot of retroactive blameshifting for pulling US Troops outta Vietnam now...oh, and I guess it'll also piss them off when they blink and realize that with Cuba on our doorstep, so are the Reds.
IIRC correctly the others are:
1st Red Scare (1920) - Oh shit the communists actually overthrew an established government. That could happen to us one day!
2nd Red Scare (Post WW2/McCarthy) - The Soviet military looks pretty scary and they have spies everywhere. We need to stay on our guard!
