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.
So, if Nightwing has yet to be created, we could just have Dick be Robin. Make it a bit like Schumacher's Robin, that the original costume was what the Flying Grayson's used in their act, and then have the suit used later as being inspired by the first. Besides, Robin and Batgirl technically won't debut until the next film.
Anyways, we have Wes Craven, Sam Raimi, and now apparently Ron Howard ready to work for next year. I think we should start with The Shining already, and have Craven direct it.
I just realized how broken having a tv station as Lucas film is, not only are we making tv for the network but there is no reason not to run our own big movies like star wars on them which are guaranteed to have house holds glued to their screens which means the ad breaks are premium prices. 10/10 absolute genius on the level of Lucas keeping the merchandise rights IRL
I just realized how broken having a tv station as Lucas film is, not only are we making tv for the network but there is no reason not to run our own big movies like star wars on them which are guaranteed to have house holds glued to their screens which means the ad breaks are premium prices. 10/10 absolute genius on the level of Lucas keeping the merchandise rights IRL
From the plan decision it was low cost subscription with no ads. So something like $1 per month and you can watch with no ads throughout. Although, considering we got 6 minutes of dead air, presumably we fill that with trailers or clips for other shows. Maybe some bumpers and shorts like how Boomerang and Cartoon Network did.
From the plan decision it was low cost subscription with no ads. So something like $1 per month and you can watch with no ads throughout. Although, considering we got 6 minutes of dead air, presumably we fill that with trailers or clips for other shows. Maybe some bumpers and shorts like how Boomerang and Cartoon Network did.
I mean we own Tom and Jerry and all the hanna barbera stuff makes sense to me unless we wanna do orginal marvel shorts like a spider-man psa or something
Directed by: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
Written by: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
Produced by: Michael Eisner
Production/Distribution Studio: Lucasfilms
Starring: Robert Hays, Julie Hagherty, Leslie Nielson, Bruce O'Brian
Budget: $5 Million Domestic Gross: $197,699,123 International Gross: $136,528,687
Total Gross: $334,227,810
While you had flipped the metaphorical bird at Universal through the sheer quality and box office performance of your movies, you never had an opportunity to give the studio a good sucker punch through parody and satire. There was so much you wanted to shit on both Universal and Hollywood through a film, which was one of the reasons you were excited to hopefully direct Killer Queen next year. Fortunately, you didn't have to wait until then as the ZAZ trio would present you a golden opportunity to take a shit on one of Universal's staples of the 70's, its flurry of disaster films, more specifically the Airport series.
To be fair, the Airport movies weren't outright bad and you enjoyed them well enough. But after a while they became creatively stale as they lost all heart and passion and instead became a factory of cliches as the writers tried desperately to come up with some sort of originality. Overall Airport made half a billion dollars for Universal, so this was a very nice form of payback for at least some of the various misdeeds.
Although, that really wasn't ZAZ's intention as they had originally written Airplane as both parody and homage to the 1957 classic "Zero Hour!" which was one of the first true disaster films and in their eyes the perfect movie, at least structurally. Airport and the 70's disaster phase just happened to give them plenty of golden material to incorporate in parody. George was pretty skeptical as he wasn't a fan of the rather raunchy "The Kentucky Fried Movie" the trio had debuted with, but you liked it well enough and believed that Lucasfilms needed both genre diversity and more fun and simple movies so the audience wouldn't get art fatigue. Mike was in firm agreement and thus Airplane became a Lucasfilms movie.
The plot is a cliched one where Ted Striker is a veteran pilot whose wartime trauma leads to him being unable to fly and developing a drinking problem (where he literally can't drink). This has caused him to break up with his girlfriend Elaine a stewardess, and thus Ted boards her flight to try and win her back. At the same time after a colorful ensemble cast is introduced, food poisoning takes out the crew of the plane and thus they are left without pilots save for Ted who must face his fears and deliver the plane and its passengers to safety.
The beauty of Airplane was that it was an overwhelmingly absurd parody that was delivered by the cast completely straight. The actors didn't perform their parts zany and goofy but delivered the hillarious dialogue as if it were a completely serious drama. This was helped by ZAZ focusing on casting non-comedic actors for the main characters so the audience wouldn't have any comedic biases and they could deliver their dialogue in completely serious tones, the highlight being Leslie Nielsen as the Doctor who didn't understand metaphors and figures of speech.
The comedy was basically split three ways between satire, absurdism, and slapstick. Not a beat was missed in covering the disaster genre with highlights being Ted's humorous war past, the cartoonish way the pilots are incapacitated, the sympathy bait characters like the dying girl, the nuns and monks, or the family, the rugged airport crew who has to pull together a miracle, the romance between Ted and Elaine which is like Han and Leia in the cheesiest and most cliche manner possible.
When it wasn't covering satire absurdism and slapstick jokes were more than enough to send the whole theater laughing. Both small and big details like the jet plane having rudder noises, all of Otto the Autopilot's screentime, the hysterical wife, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar moonlighting as an airline pilot, the jive talking brothers and the suicidal listeners to Ted's tale. These were just jokes that you just would not expect and having them pop in at the best timings in what is structured as a serious disaster film just leaves one busting their gut in laughter. To say nothing of the one-liners which you feel will become a staple of cinema history and comedy in general.
The pop culture references were also pretty fun. While ZAZ seemed to like Paramount with Ted and Elaine's backstory mirroring Saturday Night Fever and Grease, there were plenty of Lucasfilms homages in thanks to your patronage. Ted syking himself up to fly with a Rocky style training montage daydream, the start of the movie mirroring Taxi Driver, a gag of the Muppets as passengers, and perhaps the highlight where in the climax after Ted turns off his "targeting computer", he is greeted by his deceased friend Lieutenant Zip as a Force Ghost who encourages him to use The Force, which is a literal lever called "The Force".
Then there was the interesting bit about how you accidentally became a star. Originally, Robert Stack was supposed to play Captain Rex Kramer, Ted's old commanding officer who would help guide him into the airport. Unfortunately, Stack was in a car accident and while he would recover, he was forced to drop out of the movie. With it taking place right before Stack's scenes were to be filmed, ZAZ was desperate for a last minute replacement and at that time you were on the hunt for a smalltime appearance, and Mike approached and begged for a favor. Wanting to play a role where you could just have fun and not have to worry about directing, producing or being the star, you were amiable and thus Rex Kramer transformed from Ted's CO into his old squadmate and rival where Rex was the perfect ace while Ted was a bum.
You even managed to get Carrie in the movie as Mrs. Kramer and this was also Natalie and Ginger's film debut with the girls being cast as Rex's pets with their joke being in how they "attack" the Airline employee sent to fetch Rex when in reality it's just them playfully jumping over the employee but being dubbed with vicious growls and hisses while the actor had to pantomime being attacked. Considering their actual protectiveness, you had to drill into them that they were just to play with the actor, but thankfully they understood the assignment well and did their roles with no fuss, even getting some comedic appearances in the end credits.
Playing Rex was just a barrel of fun. As much as comedy was your weakest area of acting, it was the comedic roles you enjoyed the most outside of scenes with Carrie. You had a hillarious fight scene where you attacked a bunch of spiritual weirdos, there was some amazing interplay with the airport crew, your funny banter with Ted and Elaine, and your victory speech to an empty audience just fit perfectly as your status as an all-American hero just turned the sililoquy into a patriotic and triumphant moment, turned funny in how it was ignored by everyone else within the movie.
Unfortunately, you just couldn't muster up the motivation to attend the premiere in August as it was the start of your depression and paranoia in the aftermath of the Chinese assassination attempt and you did not want to deal with Hollywood bullshit and media scum. You felt terrible not only for neglecting your part, but also because Carrie had wanted to attend as the Lakers were taking part in the premiere to celebrate Kareem's film debut, yet she stayed at home to keep you company. Fortunately everyone was more than understanding, and you did your best to make it up to Carrie with a movie date night the weekend of.
While Dacii floundered in late summer, Airplane was thankfully a far greater commercial success with a third of a billion dollars at the box office and high praise and enjoyment by audiences around the world. Reportedly throughout August, it was clear to tell which theaters had Airplane going on as they were the ones with strong laughter being heard throughout the walls into the nearby ones while opening the exit was like opening the door for a comedy club. Audiences thought it was one of the most hillarious movies in cinematic history and it was easy to tell what kind of effect it was having when ever since then, each time you traveled out in public it was a regular occurence to overhear someone or a group of people making references to the movie by using their favorite one-liners in casual conversation or performing certain jokes and scenes. Decades later, you would understand that this was part of the overall birth of meme culture.
Surprisingly with critics usually giving comedies a rough treatment, pretty much everyone in the critical community seemed to laud Airplane with high praises and perfect scores, the only ones who didn't being the ostracized few who thought it wasn't all that funny. The writing and acting were given universal praise and acclaim and Airplane was already cited as one of the best movies, if not a contender for the funniest movie. Many actually lamented that it had come out this year as it was to likely lose many potential Oscars to Empire Strikes Back, but knowing those Academy assholes you wouldn't be surprised if Airplane won a few while Empire was snubbed.
Airplane also seemed to have a great impact on Hollywood as its successful parody of the Disaster genre seemed to have killed it in the way The Wiz killed Blaxploitaion, but through high quality instead of being bad. A number of disaster films which were in the works were quietly shelved and written off as tax write offs. The biggest example being the cancellation of scripts for Airport 5 by Universal who felt that after Airplane, no one would take the Airport movies seriously anymore. Even with your rivalry to Universal, artistically perhaps it was for the best as the last entry, "Concorde....Airport '80" released in February kind of lost touch with the spirit of the series as in the aftermath of Romania, it became an uber patriotic Cold War thriller where a Bond villain like arms dealer is trying to destroy the Concorde in service to the Soviet Union, making it a cartoonish action film that performed poorly save for Yugoslavia and Romania where the cheese was seen as cool. Mission accomplished.
Can I say @Magoose when the lost decade happens will a lot of unemployed come join sunrise also did you know the Japanese union is actually Toei yes the only Japanese union for animations is the Toei one so there's a reason why Japan sucks
You looked at the news on the TV and felt nothing. It was just another day in the life. You were still trapped in a compound of your own creation, fearing for your life as you quietly and desperately wanted the horror to end.
You just wanted your life to stop being a James Bond movie, because it wasn't fun or exciting, and had a happy ending, it was terrifying and filled with nothing but quiet and broken moments of introspection where you had to ask yourself what was wrong.
It was hard enough trying to connect to your children and reconnect with the woman you loved after such horrifying encounters that just would not stop playing in your mind.
But you had received a call from someone you didn't know, though you suspected it was one of the many agents who knew about everything that happened was going to change to the better.
So you turned on the TV and saw the Oval Office of the White House on screen, and that was a sight indeed.
"My Fellow Americans. You may have heard the dreadful attacks on American citizens that may think were done by criminal thugs. And they were criminal thugs, but we have learned a most dreadful truth, and one, we do not intend to take lightly. Intelligence from the CIA and the FBI have confirmed that a series of coordinated intelligence operations and assassinations were conducted by the Peoples Republic of China, and their intelligence apparatus.
What has been done is what may be considered an act of terrorism, and barbarism that has no place on the world stage. And it will be punished. A UN resolution has issued a sanction on Chinese goods, and materials. The United States will immediately cease diplomatic relations and revoke all transit rights for chinese citizens of the People's Republic of China to enter the United States, effective immediately along with many of our allies.
The nations of the world all see these attempts of destabilization and espionage as disruptive to the global order, and threatening the very balance of peace in our world. And the nations of the world will stop at nothing until this rouge state is stopped from destroying peace in the world."
Well… That is going to be something.
Reward: Seems that the entire world got scared shitless and wants to see themselves protected from the insanity of the people running China.
You have 12 actions.
You must choose 4 Batman actions.
Batman Actions:
The Batman Production (Currently in Production):
[]Look at the Script: You want to look at the Script, and make changes, or rather, prevent Colombia from changing it. DC: 50
-[]If you want to change the script, write in below.
[]The Gentle Art of the Sneer: Clint is back and better than ever, though you suspect he's a bit more grouchy than last time, seeing as he's become afraid he will be seen as a hero now. DC: 30
[]That Boy Tom: Tom Cruise is an enigma for you at least. But he really wants to fight you for some reason, saying it will help him be better as Robin. Okay kid, you asked for it. DC: ???
[]The Towering Mr. Fox: Morgan Freeman is a titan it seems, with quiet grace and truly remarkable timing. Both comedic and dramatic. And he's really happy to work on Batman for some reason. DC: 40
[]Alec Guinness and the continuing Butler Craziness: So Alex has wanted to work on Alfred's more… parental treatment of Bruce and even wrote a scene where he demands Batman sleeps and eats. DC: 35
[]Robert Redford Two Face: You and Robert looked at the masks for makeup. "I really don't think this is a great idea?" He said. "But I want you to choose!" DC: 40
[]And all the things that I find interesting (The Batmobile): Huh, so they have a batmobile. Well the boys at ILM didn't make it, so you prepared for disappointment. DC: 20/40/60
[]Alan's Addentum: So Alan wants you to show up briefly in Flash, and wants to get that scene out of the way. Is that the Watch Tower Set? DC: 50
[]Something Happened to Robert Shaw: You were looking at Robert, and he collapsed. "Robert!" You screamed as you ran to him. "Someone call an ambulance!" DC: ???
[]The New Criminals of Gotham: You look at the costumes and just were not… happy. "What the hell is this, guys have you ever read a comic before!" DC: 15
[]The New Suit: So they made you a new suit. Really? Lets see if it's any better then the last one. DC: 25
Lucasfilms Action:
[]The Last moments of Mike Eisners Patience: Mike looked at you and sighed. "Almost all my directors are on break, save for the new ones." DC: 30
[]The New Blood: So... Who wants to work for Lucasfilms? DC:???
-[]Director
-[]Producer
[]The People who want you to star in a movie: With most of Hollywood open to you again after the informal ending of your banishment from non lucasfilm and TV productions, there are a few films that have come to your attention. DC: ???
[]Evil Dead: Sam Rami's film was a masterpiece, and you were going to give it the Lucasfilm treatment. DC: 0
[]Investing in the Future: You want to Spend some of that money you made into the company and make the whole thing better DC: ??? (Linetail what you want to invest in, and how much money you want to invest in it)
[]Look for Investors: Not that you need the money now, but maybe you can get people on board with this idea you have. DC: ???
[]Distributing Deals: Since you have a Distribution Company, or rather, are one… You can meet the major movie theater companies and strike a Deal with them. Even when you had nothing to offer them. DC: ???
[]Importing Foreign Films: So… you may have a way to get some films showing in American Theaters. Maybe you can go to other foreign film industries and… well, ask to distribute their films. Sure many of those foreign film companies never expected an American company to distribute their films in the US… but maybe you can get money without producing them. (Linetail where you try to get films from, and if there are any specific films, line tail them below) DC: ???
[]The Ideas of Industry: This action is meant for a write-in to act as a sort of Idea machine for the company. You must detail what you want to do below this action. This action can be taken multiple times.
Personal Actions:
[]Vote: Well time to do your civic duty.
-[]Vote Regan
-[]Vote Carter
[]Go Home: You are going home. DC: 0
[]What to do with the Mansion: This mansion will remain, but you have no idea what to do with it, since it has basically served its purpose as your fortress in the Hills.
-[]Write in what you want to do with it.
[]A Strange Request: "His Eminence the Prince of Monaco has requested to hire Bruce O'Brian, martial arts master, to train his son, his wife, and himself in the ways of Master Bruce Lee, and his disciples, seeing as he has been successful in teaching." DC: 40
[]Train Brandon: Brandon looked at you with a mischievous glance, before he offered. "Come on Bruce, don't tell me that you're scared of a little spar with me?" He was trying to cheer you up. Maybe it was working. DC: 60
[]Game Shows: You want to go on a Game show, you are sure that Lucille might get you in on one of them. DC: 40
[]A Well-Known Fan: So some really famous person is a fan of yours. Maybe you'll learn who they actually are. DC???
[] Learn to play an instrument: You want to learn how to play something DC: 80 (You have no idea what the hell you are doing.)
[]Investments: You want to invest your hard-earned cash into something that you feel will be a good return on investment. And as well as diversify your assets DC: 0 (Linetail what you wish to invest in below this action, and the amount of money you want to invest in)
[]The O'Riely Foundation Lobbying: You want California to help the men who have given nearly everything and more to this country. DC: ??? (Linetail how much money you want to throw at it, and what you want from the State)
[]A Charitable Heart: You want to invest your newfound wealth. Maybe even save some lives while you are at it. (Linetail what you wish to invest in below this action, and the amount of money you want to donate in)
[]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)
[]Pray: It had been a long time since you went to Mass. You wish for the Lord to give you strength. DC: ???
[]Action Directing: It seems the town has been talking about how much of a beast you are at just being a stunt person. In fact, they knew you were a student of Bruce Lee. And they think you know how to stage and block a fight? Maybe you can DC? ???
[] Do auditions(Movies and TV Shows): You are going to go to some of the casting calls that are in the place where you can find work in. DC: 20(Possibility of only getting a commercial or TV show job, or extra work in a low-budget film)
[]Modeling (High Fashion): So you got a call from a photographer in LA, some no name. But that no name works for Gucci. And he wants you on their next lineup of products. And he needs you to model for him. Which is great… one problem, you have no idea what the hell you are doing. DC: 60
[]Modeling (Advertisements): Thankfully another Call Came in, one from an ad firm. They need you to have some pictures taken so that they are used for saner things. Like selling cars, or ice cream. DC: 40
[]Workout: A Healthy Mind and a Healthy Body are Key to having a good life, and you have been slacking as of late. Time to hit the workout and discipline, and perhaps, see things differently. DC: 30 Reward: You work out and feel better.
[] Ask Clint if you can act in a movie of his: You know you want to see if you can act opposite him, for a good time. DC: 40 (Clint wants to work with you.)
[] Gophering, and other signs of stuff: You want to try and learn how work behind the camera works, and what better way than being a gopher. DC: 50 (You have no idea what the hell they were doing, and you have no idea either)
[] Take a walk: Dad always said that the best ways to get inspiration are by walking, talking, and being open-minded. So you'll try that. DC: 10 (You are just going for a walk, what could be really said?)
[] Register in a theater: There are quite a few theater troops that are looking for some seasonal help for some play's that the regulars could not get to. Perhaps you can work there for a while. DC: 40 (Everyone wants to be famous here in Hollywood.)
[] Go to a bar or something to make jokes: You wanted to try some comedy, perhaps you can try. even with your shit timing. DC: 40 (Your Lack of comedy chops is going to be something that will bite you.)
[] Practice writing: You want to write something, maybe even a script. At least to learn the craft. DC: 20 (You try your hand at screenwriting, and maybe get something that is worth a damn.)
[] Research stuff, see if anything piques your interest: You may have graduated High School as a kid, but you never stopped trying to learn. DC: 15 (Write-in what you want to learn about below)
