Two Words: What….. Happened? Met a friend for lunch yesterday and the hushed-tones topic of the fairy-taled Miss White came up. We discussed the dismal reviews, the “stacks of cash to the moon and back” production budget, and the empty real estate known as the nation’s SNOW WHITE theater marquees.
Question: As aspiring screenwriters (if given the luxury of time travel back to the year 2021), how would YOU have approached this legacy property in cobbling together a reboot/remake script that honors the 1937 original?
Brock’s Pitch: Keep the forces of Good and Evil intact. Battle Evil with the power of love. The Evil Queen plays second best to Snow White via the morning news Magic Mirror. Queeny learns everything she can about the fairest maiden, discovers she has befriended Seven Dwarves (portrayed by living, breathing, little people ACTORS.). With the help of the Magic Mirror, she casts a spell on all seven, turning them into their 1937 animated counterparts (an homage to the original film AND the extraordinary film techniques of “WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT?”). The stakes are raised when, one by one, each Dwarf is slowly erased into oblivion! Time is of the essence to reverse the curse. Snow teams up with the Prince and through the power of true love and kindness, the Evil Queen is destroyed, the Dwarves return in human form, and the natural world is restored.
Roll Credits.
BOOM!!!!!
200 Million-Dollar Domestic Opening Weekend.
150 Global.
Your turn, Fellow Scribes. What’s your “Fairest of Them All” pitch?
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Approaching this solely from a writer's POV, I would've shown Snow White's growth through learning about the people's suffering(similar to how Mirror Mirror did). That way we can watch her grow and develop without making it seem like she knows everything already. Also, yeah, like Brock, I would've cast actual little people(again, like how Mirror Mirror did)(also fun fact, one of the guys in that actually voiced Grumpy in this new Snow White(I love Butch lol)). Then, I'd likely bring in the idea of maybe having Snow rescue her dad from the evil queen(either by turning him back to normal like MM or in some sort of allied combat with the dwarves, woodland creatures and the Prince). Then for the queen, I'd give her a reason why she did what she did since that might be an interesting way to flesh her out as a villain(same goes for the prince and dwarves(except Dopey because he doesn't need it lol)). Sorry for the long spiel, but that'd be my approach based on the clips and hearings I heard about this "remake" so far.
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I like your pitch, Bill Brock, especially "the stakes are raised when, one by one, each Dwarf is slowly erased into oblivion!"
I'd start the same way you did. "Keep the forces of Good and Evil intact. Battle Evil with the power of love. The Evil Queen plays second best to Snow White via the morning news Magic Mirror. Queeny learns everything she can about the fairest maiden." Then I'd introduce new characters and elements, staying close to the original material. One of the new elements would be a subplot. Maybe something with the Mirror.
Or I'd turn the original material into an action-packed Fantasy adventure.
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This shows that you have to stick to the characters and what they stand for and not the Woke Go Broke Agenda in Hollywood Bill Brock and this is destroying so many brands and why we are seeing the failures like De Niro´s new film flopping like a fish outta water. Juss say´in M8t!
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This hasn't had too many remakes to be a great watch. That makes it very simple. You use what makes the original special and where it can be improved, you do fixing. And by fixing I mean, you improve the emotional viewing experience in every scene.
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Maurice Vaughan Ooooooh, I like your idea of a mirror subplot, Maurice! Wow! Just imagine the possibilities! The avenues one could take. Quick, origin story. What fuels its power? Why does it exist? Agreed. The Mirror doesn’t get enough credit.
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Mark Deuce Agreed, Mark. Rule #1 in Show Biz: KNOW your audience demographics. #2. ENTERTAIN said audience. I refuse to pay 15 bucks for a LECTURE.
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Wal Friman Totally agree, Wal. Excellent point. The THREE most important things to making a stellar film: THE SCRIPT, THE SCRIPT, and…… THE SCRIPT.
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Holly Fouche Awesome perspective, Holly. I definitely like your approach to witnessing Snow’s growth (Perhaps, in a trials and tribulation “throughout the years” montage).The Evil Queen definitely needs more depth. Some reviews have stated that Snow and The Queen appear to be so off base, that it’s as if they’re appearing in two different movies — NOT a good sign.
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Same here Bill Brock and collapse shows that we are not alone in this.
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BROCK: Hi, one ticket for “Snow White.”
CONSESSION KID: You got kids? This is a fun-filled family adventure movie for FAMILIES!!!
BROCK: Nope. No kids. Just me.
CONSESSION KID: That’s kinda weird. Grown man wanting to see some kiddie movie. Alone. Can’t let you in without kids. It’s listed in the “National Theater By-Laws Enforcement Statute.” Section B1, code FU-441.FU.
BROCK: What? That’s crazy!!
CONSESSION KID: Sorry, but no kideo, no video.
BROCK: Okay, fine. I’ll just select another movie. One ticket for the R-RATED “A Working Man.”
CONCESSION KID: Um, I really don’t feel comfortable selling you a ticket to a film that glorifies toxic male masculinity. I fear you’ll exit the theater and want to fight me. So, based on that scientifically-supported assumption, I must ask you to GET OUT. AND IF YOU COME BACK HERE, I’LL CALL THE COPS!!!
BROCK: Wait. That’s not fair!!!
CONCESSION KID: To quote Snow White, “It’s the Fairest of Them All.” NOW GET OUT!!!!
Brock instantly waves his arms wildly towards every single item on the counter. The clanging chorus of metal and shattering of glass striking the floor reverberates throughout the lobby. He isn’t done yet. He drop kicks the glass counter, adding to the shattered glass body count. He then rises, sprints out the door with his “five-finger-discounted” Almond Joy bar.
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LOL!!!! Bill Brock I think that Disney sees the writing on the wall and are making some very big moves, but too little too late, the Titanic is sinking... And Bob is trying to plug them with his fingers.