You know what I would like to see made? An original, interesting, STANDALONE s-f tentpole. Not part of, or kicking off, a series. Not a prequel or sequel or remake. I'd be okay with a book or comic adaptation, but I want to just see a story through from A-Z in two or three hours without getting a cliffhanger or post-credit stinger setting up the next story in the "universe". Let it succeed on its own merits and then maybe set up a sequel or universe or whatever. Bonus points for being about exploration and discovery rather than ass-kicking heroes. Interstellar fit the bill but movies like that are so rare now.
Bedford Falls
'It's A Wonderful Life' turned upside down and inside out using the same characters. In this version, Uncle Billy is sent to prison for stealing the money George had given him to take to the bank. It is shortly after this, that two FBI agents enter George's office at the building and loan. Before they can introduce themselves, George interrupts them and tells them that the case was already solved and that Uncle Billy confessed. The agents tell George that they are not investigating that. They then ask him if he knows a woman named Violet Bick. George acknowledges that he does. When he asks what this is about, they tell him that she has been reported missing.
(Agent One) "When was the last time you saw her? (George) "Oh, I don't know. It's been a while." (Agent Two) "Like a month?" (George) "At least." The two agents look at each other. George becomes uneasy and asks what's wrong. (Agent One) "We've been asking around town... Quite a few people said they saw her come in here not more than a week ago." (George) "Oh wait... that's right. I remember now. She came in here and told me she was leaving town." (Agent Two) "Did she say where?" (George) "I think she said she was going to New York."
The questions continue and we and the agents can tell that George is being evasive. Finally, they leave. George peeks out his office window and sees the two agents standing on the street corner, talking to each other. He calls Husted into his office and tells him to look out the window. (George) "You see those two FBI agents out there?" (Husted) "I don't see anybody out there, George." George takes a peek. (George) "That's funny. They were just there a second ago... It doesn't matter. If any agents show up, let me know about it before letting them in to see me."
As time passes, George receives periodic visits from the agents. Each time, they tell him about cases they had worked in the past, including one that mirrored Uncle Billy's. Only difference was the man was framed. He was a little slow... had memory problems... a perfect victim. As one of the agent says... "He was actually convinced that he stole the money, even though he was never actually given any money to steal in the first place. Can you imagine?"
A few weeks pass with no visits. George looks a little more at ease. He's walking down the street when a car pulls up. It's the two agents again. They ask George to get in. When they open the back door, George sees Uncle Billy. (Uncle Billy) "Hi George." (George) "Uncle Billy, what are you doing here?" (Uncle Billy) "You're not going to believe this, George. I think I remember what I did with the money." George looks at the two agents. (George) "I thought you weren't working on this case." (Agent One) "We weren't... then." (Agent Two) "Get in the car, George."
As they drive, George asks... "Where are we going?" (Uncle Billy) "We're going down to the river." (George) "The river? What for?" (Uncle Billy) "That's the funny thing. I was thinking the same thing when I found your car." (George) "What are you talking about?" (Uncle Billy) "The day you gave me the money. You see, I actually thought you forgot to give me the money, so I went back to get it and saw you driving off. I got in my car and followed you. I lost sight of you, but then I saw your car... parked by the river. I looked for you, but then couldn't remember what I was looking for. I eventually gave up and went back to the bank. I'm thinking I must have lost that money when I was looking for you." (George) "That doesn't make any sense. This is a total waste of time." (Agent One) "That may be, but what can it hurt to take a look... right?"
After getting to the river, all four start walking along the river's edge as Uncle Billy leads the way. (Uncle Billy) "I think George's car was parked here." Then after looking ahead "I think I walked this way." Then he stops. "I think I see it!" He runs ahead as Agent Two follows. Agent One stays behind with George as they watch. They see Uncle Billy squat down over what looks like a garbage bag. (Agent One) "That looks like an awfully large bag for 8 thousand dollars." George says nothing as the other agent rips open the top of the bag. He then shouts back... "It's just garbage!" George takes a deep breath.
As Uncle Billy and Agent Two make their way back, Agent One says... "Looks like you were right, George. This was a total waste of time." Just as Agent Two gets to them, Agent One says... "Come on, George. We'll drive you back to town." (George) "No thanks. I'd rather walk." The two agents watch as George slowly walks away. (Agent One) "If I didn't know any better, I'd swear George Bailey has the look of a man with a guilty conscious. What say you, Joseph?" (Agent Two) "I couldn't agree more, Clarence."
