Don't do that. I admire the enthusiasm, and drive, but you'll just be wasting your time, especially since Mortal Kombat is not "as grounded, and real world based as possible" it's about inter-dimensional invasions, demons, sorcerers, ninjas, robots, the undead, and sometimes undead robot ninjas. Maybe I'm taking aim at a strawman, but a complete misunderstanding of what Nolan and Goyer did with Batman is what lead to Rebirth - and maybe you like it, but it's awful. Something that tries so hard to be one thing, but is just naturally something else - at it's most basic, is a disaster waiting to happen. If Rebirth were actually made into a feature, the response would be like the morning of everyone's biggest hangover. Where they realize they had a lot of fun while they were wasted, but they made some poor decisions, their head hurts, it isn't fun any more, and they may have to admit they have a problem. People got drunk off The Dark Knight, then ran away with the bottle, and refused to give up their keys.
The very fact that the majority of a million people watched Rebirth, and didn't mostly seem to think it was stupid, is so alarming to me, that I feel like I've seen the first steps toward popular culture becoming like Idiocracy. It actually makes me want to dissect the Dark Knight trilogy, just so I can show people just how NOT at ALL realistic that is, and then compare it to Tancharoen's short, which was so ridiculous and arbitrary about every change; it might as well have been a Men in Black movie. Razzies are built on this kind of deviation from source. If you're not talking Rebirth style, disregard my rant, but damn man... it's still a very bad idea. No one is going to let you shoot your version. It's essentially a pet project.
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sherlock_acd_holmes
9 years ago
I respect your opinion and input. But don't take me literal about the whole "real world" approach. There's always a grounded framework or heightened reality in movies, especially comic book movies.
For example, would The Avengers have worked if there wasn't an introduction to each of these characters and stories? Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor... The inter-galactic beings, worlds, and weapons? Probably, because it's entertainment.
Iron Man works because it's on a grounded, plausible reality. He's rich and has access to a wealth of advanced technology. So as the audience we buy into that. The Avengers took those leaps because of Thor's story line and premise, which was established in his movie.
Same goes for Batman, similar premise. His wealth affords him the luxury of tools and weapons that most normal people don't have access to.
I see your point about the whole demons, sorcerers, ninjas, robots, and undead. But not EVERY character and story needs to be introduced all at once. A framework needs to be laid out and established, then leaps can be taken later.
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Bioparadoxous
9 years ago
don't take me literal about the whole "real world" approach. There's always a grounded framework or heightened reality in movies, especially comic book movies.
Hmm... Just out of curiosity, when you're done here, read as much of this as you can put up with, and then tell me if it's anything like the kind of thing you're talking about doing.
www.fanfiction.net/s/4454453/1/Mortal-Kombat-Cross-CrisisIron Man works because it's on a grounded, plausible reality. He's rich and has access to a wealth of advanced technology. So as the audience we buy into that...
Same goes for Batman, similar premise
I would just like to quickly point out that one of those universes is presented as more grounded than the other - despite their similarities.
not EVERY character and story needs to be introduced all at once. A framework needs to be laid out and established, then leaps can be taken later.
This is becoming commonplace, and seems to be working rather well, for the most part. Arrow did this, slowly stripping away layers of reality until sorcery was fairly well established. Daredevil seems to be following this same template to great affect, even though that was even more of a gritty crime drama than Arrow could ever be, complete with gore, and swearing. Yet the apparent set-up for supernatural elements is nearly impossible to deny, not to mention all of the references to the other Marvel heroes.
Yet... I would say I anticipate some backlash to this approach eventually, as people will find anything stale with enough exposure to it, and I presume this will become a predictable - and therefore - boring trope in some time. But it seems to be working as of this moment, so I approve of this idea. But then wouldn't Mortal Kombat work better as a series?
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sherlock_acd_holmes
9 years ago
Hmmmmm... so I read that Fan Fiction literature, and that clearly is what it is, Fan Fiction. Admittedly so.
I'm not touching those stories or ideas at all. In any way, shape, or form. Although, I will admit I was, or am, planning on setting it during Ancient Times. (Don't want to give to much away...)
And I agree with that Daredevil reference, it's one of the best things Marvel has done, adult-wise. It's gritty, sometimes graphic, and yeah some swearing, which is exactly what Mortal Kombat could potentially be.
Mortal Kombat could very well work as a series, if the right people were involved and wanted to take it to that format... The web series did it no justice with those 10 minute episodes, character background (and essentially origin) differences from canon.
I am trying to stay as true, and close, to the source material as possible. Making it more about the story and characters, then the graphic and intense violence will surely follow.
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Bioparadoxous
9 years ago
What you're writing is fan fiction too. It doesn't matter how you choose to percieve it. Or whether you'd like to admit it. You are writing "an unauthorized fan work based on the intellectual property of another." By sending you that link, I was trying to accomplish two things. 1. Demonstrate to you that your work is indeed, fan fiction, by directing you to one that tries to take the story as literally as you do. and 2. Get a feel for the tone you're going for. Since you said "I'm not touching those stories or ideas" I failed to get any firmer grasp on what you're trying to accomplish. So I guess that didn't work.
But believe me, the most important takeaway should be that this screenplay is a fantasy of yours. I'm not discouraging you here. It may be one that manifests itself, as others' sometimes - rarely - do, but as of right now - this IS what you're doing. And you should accept that. If you can't, I humbly believe you're wasting your time. You can't get your hopes up. - In other words. - Or... you're doing it for the wrong reasons; if you can't be a proud fan of the work. Who comes at Mortal Kombat from a new perspective just to do it. You should write anything because you love it, because you ARE not likely to get paid for it, especially if you're basing it on the work of someone else. Unless Ed Boon handed you pen and paper and said, "Dude, go to town" You can't tell me this faith is founded. On top of ensuring yourself you are in this for all of the right motivators, you also have to face reality, because If you're not seeing your current situation realistically you could easily be making poor decisions. (Like - maybe - writing a screenplay you can't hope to sell.)
Maybe you liked my story, maybe you didn't appreciate it. The point is, this is about what you're doing. I'm an amateur screenwriter, and I have the same ideas about taking Mortal Kombat seriously, as a story. Now did I hone it, and fine tune it, and put into a feature length, formatted script for WB? No. But I could have. This isn't too original an idea. You might need to consider the possibility that this isn't going to work out the way you want it to. Because there are thousands off of us, and not all are as content with calling it fan fiction, but they are just as passionate, and driven as you are. Some food for thought. I would focus on an original idea. Trust me, if it's well liked, you will have a chance to request projects. You can't just pitch anything, right out of the gate. You have to be a known entity.
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sherlock_acd_holmes
9 years ago
I appreciate your words of wisdom. And trust me, I myself am an amateur screenwriter as well. But I think we can all agree we have our own original ideas, stories, and content we would like to get developed and produced.
I'm not looking to get paid for it, at the moment, which is why it's Spec. And when you have money on your mind, I think it diminishes the creative process. But, I see your point about being realistic. However, if we didn't want to do this then we would consider some other job or profession. We have to be open-minded and optimistic. And I think we also have to keep in mind that at the end of the day, studios are a business. They are in the business of making money.
Consider this for a moment, and I know I'm using him as an example again but it's pretty relevant. After the success of Memento from Christopher Nolan, he had an original script and idea himself which was Inception. I'm assuming at the time he was pitching it and shopping it around to get financing for it. WB might have been the first to consider it, but they wanted something in return. So, they told him "if you make Batman for us, and is successful, we'll give you the money to make your movie!" With that being said, it's a Quid Pro Quo. You can't get something without doing something for them. Keep in mind, this is all conjecture.
Yes, it may be considered Fan Fiction at the moment, but if someday in somehow and someway it reaches Ed Boon himself and he approves it and gets it produced, then it's no longer considered Fan Fiction.
Or, maybe, collaborate so we can come up with a story that benefits and satisfies us, the fans, and an audience.
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Bioparadoxous
9 years ago
Or, maybe, collaborate so we can come up with a story that benefits and satisfies us, the fans, and an audience.
Sorry for the late reply, but - did you mean me? Because, while I wouldn't necessarily mind, I don't even know what you're doing exactly.
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