Screenwriting : Big Story Dilemma: Trilogy or Series? by Lokakshith Roy

Lokakshith Roy

Big Story Dilemma: Trilogy or Series?

When you have a big story on your hands — something with real blockbuster potential — how do you decide what to do with it?

Let’s say the concept could work as a feature film trilogy (with spin-off potential) or as a big multi-season series.

Do you:

•Build it out as a film trilogy and map future spin-offs?

•Develop it directly as a world-based series?

•Or first pitch the core story and let the medium evolve through collaboration and funding conversations?

Would love to hear how others in the community approach this creative crossroad — especially storyteller, screenwriters, and showrunners who’ve navigated similar choices.

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Lokakshith Roy. I usually turn an idea into a feature script, but if there's enough story for a TV series or limited series, I might turn it into one of those. And sometimes I'll write the feature script and put a note/page in my pitch material saying there's potential for the movie to be a TV series, limited series, video game, etc.

Michael Dzurak

I include world-building that could then be expanded, aka the John Wick route. Thank you, Derek Kolstad.

Lokakshith Roy

Well, the possibilities in the story I have are endless.

There are enough stories for a whole new franchise.

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