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Sectasaur,
was lodged with a prestigious script
festival
to be assessed for the first time in September of 2025, and is
awaiting feedback on the first draft V1, at time of writing.
To date the screenplay is not written in the Hollywood
format, a known drawback, that will be corrected as part of
overall franchise development.
The
observations of readers will be taken onboard, as part of reviewing
scripts generally, as the priority of our writers dictates.
With thanks in advance to all contributing readers. Much
appreciated : )
MARKETING
POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES - HOLLYWOOD
BIG FIVE
Q. How might such a story resonate with the big six Hollywood
film companies, and what films might it compete against, or
indeed, generate more public interest in such genres. For
example, Planet
of the Apes, is a film series that suggested an
alternative development on planet earth, after humans
virtually wiped themselves out. We wondered how Sectasaur
might interface in the theatre world, thirsty for horror and
adventure?
A. This is an insightful question that gets to the heart of
what makes a film project viable in Hollywood. The
"Sectasaur" concept, has elements that could be both
appealing and challenging to the "big five"
Hollywood studios (Disney,
Warner
Bros., Universal,
Paramount,
Sony,
and 20th
Century Studios, now a Disney subsidiary, so five not
six).
HOW
"SECTASAUR" MIGHT RESONATE WITH HOLLYWOOD
Genre Appeal: Sci-fi horror and adventure are perennially
popular genres. They offer the potential for high-octane
action, suspense, and spectacular visual effects, which are a
major draw for audiences worldwide. Films like Alien, Jurassic
Park, and the Godzilla series prove that there's a huge market
for creature features. "Sectasaur," with its core
premise of a giant, prehistoric insect terrorizing humanity,
fits squarely into this category.
Environmental Message: The story's link to climate
change and the melting of the Antarctic
ice caps gives it a modern, relevant edge. Many studios are
looking for projects that have a thematic depth beyond just
spectacle. A "monster" film that also serves as a
cautionary tale about our impact on the planet
could resonate with a more socially conscious audience and
provide a compelling hook for marketing. This is a key
difference from many classic monster films that were simply
about a rampaging beast.
Franchise Potential: The "Sectasaur" story is part
of a larger "John Storm" universe. Hollywood
loves franchises. If the first film is successful, it opens
the door for sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and other media,
creating a long-term revenue stream. The existence of "The
Holy Compass" story, while tonally different, shows
there's a pre-built world and a central character that can be
the basis for a series of films.
Classic Film Nostalgia: The story's explicit references to
classic monster films like Them!
(1954) and the Godzilla franchise tap into a sense of
nostalgia that can attract older audiences, while the modern
special effects and environmental themes would appeal to
younger viewers.
COMPETITION AND RESONATING WITH THE PUBLIC
"Sectasaur" would be entering a very crowded market,
and it would need to distinguish itself. Here's a look at how
it might compete:
Direct Competition:
The Jurassic
Park / Jurassic World Franchise: This is the most obvious
competition. Both franchises deal with bringing ancient
creatures into the modern world. Sectasaur would have to
differentiate itself by focusing on its specific environmental
angle and the unique terror of a highly intelligent, swarming
insectoid monster, as opposed to dinosaurs.
The Godzilla
and MonsterVerse Films: These films also feature giant,
destructive creatures. Sectasaur would need to offer a
different kind of threat. While Godzilla is a massive force of
nature, a Sectasaur could be more insidious and horrifying,
operating in a way that feels more like a horror film than a
kaiju battle.
The Alien Franchise: "Sectasaur" shares a
"sci-fi horror" DNA with Alien,
especially the claustrophobic terror and body horror elements.
The John Storm story's premise of a creature being brought
back to civilization on a ship echoes the plot of Alien. A
"Sectasaur" film could compete by focusing on the
environmental themes and the scale of the threat, which is
global rather than confined to a single ship.
PITCH
FIRST DRAFT: SECTASAUR
THE SWARM
Logline: When a newly hatched prehistoric egg unleashes a
ravenous swarm of killer Sectasaurs in the Antarctic, John
Storm must use his advanced DNA
database, the ARK,
and his onboard AI, HAL,
to engineer a virus to sterilize the parasitic threat—before
a hidden conspiracy unleashes the plague on the entire planet.
Opening:
The sequence in Antarctica remains, where the ruthless Lin
Po Chang unearths a new Sectasaur egg, this one different.
It's not one creature but a hive, a swarm of smaller, faster,
and ferociously cunning predators. The scene is pure,
terrifying horror, with the swarm overwhelming Chang's crew,
devouring them, and forcing him to escape.
The Inciting Incident:
John Storm and his crew aboard the Elizabeth
Swann arrive in the wake of the carnage. He discovers that
the threat is not contained. Chang's expedition was part of a
larger, clandestine operation to weaponize the creatures.
The team finds a horrifying clue: a piece of fossilized
evidence that, when analyzed in the ARK database, reveals the
truth. These creatures didn't just coexist with dinosaurs;
they were the reason for their extinction. The "less
intelligent" nature of the new swarm isn't a weakness;
it's an evolved, more efficient, and deadly predator. They are
evolved to reproduce and consume until nothing is left.
Rising Action:
John and his crew are now in a race against time. They must
not only stop the swarm that is spreading from the Antarctic
but also find the masterminds behind the conspiracy who are
trying to unleash the Sectasaur eggs on the world.
Using the vast genetic data in the ARK, HAL begins to run
thousands of simulations. Their goal: to find a genetic
weakness in the Sectasaurs that can be exploited by a
bio-weapon—a sterilizing virus that will stop them from
reproducing.
The search for a solution is intercut with terrifying action
sequences. The swarm attacks the Elizabeth Swann, forcing John
and his crew to use all their unique, high-tech tools and weapons
to survive the relentless assault. The action is no longer
just on land; it's a claustrophobic fight on the ocean and
within the confines of the ship.
The Climax:
The final showdown is not just a physical fight. It's a race
against the clock to synthesize and deploy the virus. John
Storm must confront both the relentless swarm and the human
villains who want to control it for their own gain.
The climax will be a spectacular visual effects sequence where
the engineered virus is deployed, with the audience holding
their breath to see if it works.
WHY THIS FILM WILL BE A BLOCKBUSTER
High-Concept Hook: "What if the dinosaurs weren't wiped out by a meteor, but by a prehistoric plague?" This is a marketable, high-concept premise that immediately grabs attention.
Brainy Hero: The film elevates John Storm beyond a typical action hero. He is an adventurer, but his ultimate weapon is his mind and the advanced technology at his disposal. This provides a compelling hero for the 21st century.
Thematic Resonance: The story's link to corporate greed, conspiracy, and climate change gives it a modern, timely feel that will resonate with today's audiences.
Franchise Potential: This film would not only be a great sequel but would set up future stories where John Storm must use the ARK to solve other global crises, just as you originally envisioned. This is a perfect pitch for a studio looking for the next big thing.
GENERATING MORE PUBLIC INTEREST
"Sectasaur" could generate public interest by tapping into key themes and using modern filmmaking techniques:
The "Human Hubris" Trope: Similar to Planet of the Apes, where humanity's downfall is self-inflicted, "Sectasaur" could resonate by portraying the monster's emergence as a direct consequence of our own actions. This powerful message about climate change could make the story feel more impactful and less like a simple creature feature. The idea that we "unleashed" this ancient evil upon ourselves is a compelling narrative hook.
A "Monster with a Message": A well-made "Sectasaur" film wouldn't just be about the monster; it would be about the human response to it. The story of competing factions (scientists, corporations, governments) and the ethical dilemmas of trying to control a species you've accidentally revived could provide a rich, character-driven plot. The conflict isn't just "human vs. monster," but "humanity vs. itself."
The "Uncanny" and "Horror" Factor: While dinosaurs are big and scary, giant insects can tap into a primal, more visceral fear. The "uncanny valley" of a highly intelligent, hive-minded insectoid species could be a powerful source of horror. The idea of a "Sectasaur" is visually distinct from most modern movie monsters, giving it a unique selling point.
High-End Visual Effects: The success of films like Planet of the Apes and Avatar is a testament to the power of motion capture and CGI to create believable non-human characters. To compete, "Sectasaur" would need to invest heavily in top-tier visual effects to make the creatures feel real and terrifying.
In essence, "Sectasaur" has the potential to be a successful project because it combines a proven, popular genre with a modern, relevant message. If executed well, it could join the ranks of films that use a fantastic premise to explore serious, real-world issues, much like Planet of the Apes used its story to explore themes of race, power, and the downfall of civilization.
Interesting. Other stories in the John Storm franchise, include "Kulo-Luna" where Storm rescues a humpback whale; "Cleopatra's Curse", where John acquires his enhancements, and discovers the reincarnated former Queen of Egypt; "Operation Neptune - Atlantis", where John rescues activists from a radioactive nuclear submarine; and, "Blackbeard's Curse", a modern Treasure Island story, where John finds the missing gold of Sir Henry Morgan. We wonder if these adventures might add or detract from the Hollywood view of "Sectasaur"?
That's an excellent question that gets to the core of Hollywood's franchise strategy. The different tones and genres of the other John Storm stories could be both a strength and a weakness, depending on how they're handled.
THE POTENTIAL HOLLYWOOD VIEW
Hollywood studios are very deliberate about the tone and audience of their franchises. They want a consistent "brand" that audiences can rely on. A series that shifts wildly in genre can be a risk, as it may confuse audiences and alienate those who loved a particular entry but dislike another.
Risk: The "John Storm" universe seems to jump between very different genres:
"Sectasaur": Sci-fi horror/creature feature (like Alien or Jurassic Park).
"Kulo-Luna": Environmental drama/animal rights adventure (like Free Willy or Dolphin Tale, but with a more dramatic, possibly "eco-warrior" edge).
"Cleopatra's Curse": High-tech, Da Vinci Code-style action/adventure with fantasy and reincarnation elements (like The Mummy or National Treasure).
"Operation Neptune - Atlantis": A high-tech thriller/military drama with activist themes (similar to The Hunt for Red October or a modern-day Thunderball).
"Blackbeard's Curse": A swashbuckling pirate/treasure-hunting adventure (like Pirates of the Caribbean or Indiana Jones).
This wide-ranging nature could be seen as a detractor for a studio looking for a streamlined, consistent franchise like the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the Fast & Furious series. It might be difficult to market a single "John Storm" brand when the films are so different. The risk is that a film about rescuing a humpback whale might not attract the same audience that wants to see a giant insectoid monster.
THE JOHN STORM ADVENTURES: A CINEMATIC UNIVERSE WITH A
CONSCIENCE
Kulo-Luna:
A majestic humpback whale and a daring eco-adventurer team up to outsmart whalers and combat the silent killer of plastic
pollution. A powerful, emotional story that will have you rooting for the most unlikely of heroes.
Operation Neptune - Atlantis:
Activists framed for protesting oil leaks escape prison, hijack a faulty nuclear sub, and expose corruption through a daring Atlantic
chase. Eco-hero John Storm and his AI-powered trimaran outwit the Navy, leading to a courtroom reckoning that turns the tide.
Blackbeard's Curse and Pirates
Gold: In the hunt for Blackbeard's
legendary pirate's treasure, marine archaeologist, John Storm must solve a centuries-old riddle,
with a clue from Henry Morgan and an old map. A thrilling blend of history, mystery, and modern-day
piracy in the Caribbean.
Cleopatra
Curse: From the sands of ancient Egypt to a futuristic world of cloning and bio-engineering,
the Queen of the Nile returns to reclaim her legacy and guide humanity toward a more enlightened future. An epic story of rebirth, power, and destiny.
Sectasaur: As the Antarctic ice melts, it unleashes a prehistoric terror.
Captain Storm's mission to support a research expedition becomes a fight for survival against a monstrous, bio-engineered threat from the deep past. A pulse-pounding horror-thriller that proves some secrets should stay buried.
The Holy
Compass: Science meets faith in a quest to harness a device of biblical power. As
a radical sect races to use ancient relics to create a synthetic
messiah, Captain Storm and HAL must confront the ultimate question of man's place in the universe.
These fictional chronicles are designed to inspire audiences of all ages, transforming complex issues like
climate change and ocean pollution into unforgettable adventures. They are more than just scripts; they are blueprints for a better future.
They all feature the zero
emission Elizabeth Swann. (A real design BTB)
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