LOOK WHAT I FOUND!

In the script Jason was found in the
lake where he had been left
at the conclusion of The New Blood.

In the 1970s and 1980s when someone cleaned out a basement, attic, or under a bed there was undoubtedly the anticipation and inevitable joy of discovery as some long forgotten, or presumed lost, item was unearthed.

In 2014 that joy of discovery often happens on a computer hard drive.  So, I was sitting down working on my next book when an errant click on a folder revealed a subfolder that I had not viewed since (according to the records) 2006!  Inside this folder were two - TWO - screenplays that I had written back in 2002.  Now, both of these screenplays were originally meant solely as practice as I honed my craft.  In order to learn the proper technique and writing style when shifting from prose to a script I decided to write two sequels for franchises of which I was a fan.  I never had any expectations that they would be sold, made, or even see the light of day beyond my computer.  In fact, I wrongfully assumed that both had been deleted.  Nope.  THEY LIVE!

In the script Michael Myers was a serial killer
who the Halloween movies were
based upon.

So, let's talk about the first one with this entry.  This was my attempt at a horror screenplay that would have inter-mixed Jason Vorhees and Michael Myers.  The script was written shortly after the theatrical release of Halloween H2O where Jamie Lee Curtis returned to that series...and, at the time, presumably killed Michael.  It was a decent movie, but nothing stellar or memorable.

In a nutshell I wanted to see something SPECTACUAR!  I wanted a movie with a plot, with a body count, and where the two lead killing machines battled not only themselves, but also a black-ops mercenary team.

So I set out to write...
JASON VS. MICHAEL: THE ULTIMATE EVIL!

Now, anyone who knows me (and if you don't listen to the podcast - www.donandhisamazingfriend.com) knows that I demand that all sequels play fair and straight with the audience and with the history that has been presented in previous entries.  So, when I wrote my story I was sure to include both the ending to Halloween H2O as well as all the key elements from Friday the 13th Parts 1-7.  I had "outs" to explain the lesser entries in each series.  I introduced new characters and populated the town of Forest Green (formerly Crystal Lake) with enough characters/victims to build a solid body count.

In rereading the story several stand-out scenes in the script jumped out:
*Jason kills two scuba divers in Crystal Lake
*Michael kills an ambulance crew and an unfortunate homeowner (with a riding lawn mower)
*Jason battles a heavily armed squad of soldiers in a hardware store
*Michael Myers and Jason destroy a bar and the entire patronage during their battle


My simple Photoshop image that I printed and
had on my desk for inspiration.

*Michael meets not one, not two, but three awesome "death scenes" as Jason truly unleashes on him
*There is a HUGE EXPLOSION!

Considering I haven't seen this script in almost a decade, I was amazed at how well it read and how evenly paced it was.  Frankly, and selfishly, I wish someone would call and offer to make this movie because even though Freddy vs. Jason was fun...it still wasn't as perfect a movie as Michael vs. Jason (or Jason vs. Michael) could have been.

Here's a small sampling of the script.  This scene is the beginning of Act 2 where I've basically set in place that Jason is on the loose and a well-armed science team has purposely set loose Michael Myers in the area in the hopes that they'll be able to have not one but two regenerating beings that may lead them towards the development of a true undying Super Soldier.

Please keep in mind this was a first draft and the formatting may be off as I switched from Final Draft to Blogger.

*****

EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Rebecca and Paulson are cutting through the dense trees as best they can in the sheer darkness.

OFFICER PAULSON
Are you sure you know where you’re going?  Besides, it may not even be there

REBECCA
Keep your voice down.

They hear radio communications farther off in the forest.

REBECCA (cont’d)
But right now that’s our only shot at putting some serious distance between us and them.
 

They walk a ways further, ducking low to avoid some flashlight beams.

REBECCA (cont’d)
There.

Rebecca points ahead to a ditch, her bike is laying in it.

OFFICER PAULSON
I don’t see the ambulance, or my squad car.

REBECCA
Well we got lucky here.  Apparently they didn’t feel like messing with my bike.
 

She walks over, rolls it out of the ditch, and examines it.

REBECCA (cont’d)
The only problem is the starter.  It’s been acting up on me.  Everybody within walking distance of us is going to hear this thing turn over.
 

OFFICER PAULSON
So I guess we hope it starts on the first try.

REBECCA
I guess.  Keep your fingers crossed.
 

She kick starts the cycle...and nothing happens.  She tries a second time.  Nothing.

MERCENARY #3
Hold it!

Rebecca and Paulson look over to see a merc with his machine gun pointed right at them.

MERCENARY #3 (cont’d)
Don’t move.
(into his comm)
I have them sir.  At the original acquisition site.

CAPTAIN FLENNA (o.s.)
Keep them there.  We’re on the way.
 

Mercenary #3 as his full attention on Rebecca and Paulson.  He does not notice a shadow moving through the treeline next to him.

Jason is the "eviler" of the killers!
He easily chalks up a body count rivaling
Arnold's from Commando!

MERCENARY #3
We’re all going to just stay right here and -

JASON EXPLODES FROM THE DARKNESS AND THRUSTS A MACHETE INTO THE MERCENARY!  HE IS LIFTED OFF OF THE GROUND SCREAMING!  HIS GUN SWINGS AND FIRES AS HIS FINGERS CLENCH!

Rebecca ducks a hail of bullets but two strike Officer Paulson in the chest.  He goes down - HARD.

REBECCA
Tom!

She moves away from her bike to help him.

OFFICER PAULSON
No!  Get out of here!

Their voices draw Jason’s attention.  He swings his machete and the dead mercenary flies off of it, landing in the woods.  Jason then moves towards them.

OFFICER PAULSON (cont’d)
Go Rebecca!  Get your father!
 

She can see the blood coming from Paulson’s mouth and chest.  It’s clearly a fatal shot.  She struggles with the decision for a moment but then finally Rebecca turns and tries to start her bike.  It doesn’t catch.

Jason moves forward and thrusts his machete down into Paulson.  Officer Paulson doesn’t scream.
Jason marches forward.  He is only a few feet from Rebecca.

The motorcycle starts!  Rebecca kicks it into gear and speeds away just as Jason swings his machete at where she was standing a moment before.  He gets nothing but air.
Rebecca races through the forest!

EXT. THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE TOWN OF CRYSTAL LAKE - NIGHT
A patrol car is stopped in the road, lights still flashing.

CLOSE UP: CRYSTAL LAKE BILLBOARD
Officer Drew is slammed face first against the billboard, his feet dangling above the ground. Jason keeps him pinned there with one arm while the other arm brings an axe into view. Drew is screaming until the axe CHOPS into his back.

A BLAST OF BLOOD SMEARS ACROSS THE SMILING FAMILY ON THE SIGN.
Jason looks at the sign and then his gaze drifts towards the lights of the town below.  He turns and walks away, leaving behind the car, the axe, and Officer Drew still held in place on the billboard.

Michael racks up a good body count
but also is the more sympathetic
of the twin killing machines.

EXT. THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE TOWN OF CRYSTAL LAKE - LATER
The welcome to Crystal Lake billboard still holds Officer Drew in place.

CLOSE UP: A hand reaches up and pulls the axe from the dead officer.  Drew’s corpse PLOPS to the ground.

Carrying the axe, Michael Myers walks towards the Forest Green town square.

*****

It's worth noting that Michael had already had his ass handed to him once by Jason.  The two are on their way to clash in the town bar and begin the total destruction of Forest Green.

Maybe one day I'll visit one of the "money" scenes.