I grew up on the 80s and 90s classic horror movies so I wrote my family drama horror, "Rotted Roots", as an homage to movies such as "Halloween", "Scream", and "I Know What You Did Last Summer" . However, my Final Girl, Hannah Kensington, is African-American and I wanted to add a modern Gen-Z quality to the heroine/heroine trope by adding a "Final Boy" in her gay cousin, Oliver Kensington. Oliver is the outcast son of a serial killer and said serial killer happens to be Hannah's uncle.
Is it too risky, marketing wise, to have a "Final Duo" comprised of characters who come from a marginalized section of society? To my knowledge, the closest we've ever gotten to a "Final Boy" is Jesse from Nightmare On Elm Street 2.
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I like the idea, Xavion Niles. I don't think it's too risky. I think it's unique.
There are a lot of Final Boys (https://screenrant.com/horror-movies-final-boy-character-not-girl/),
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@Maurice Vaughan I actually read that article LoL which is what made me pose the question. I guess I was speaking more about a gay Final Boy being the "risky" part. Ideally, I see "Rotted Roots" as a trilogy and I'd love to see more diverse representation in horror leads. I ideally see Hannah and Oliver and their antagonist Karma as the new "Laurie Strode" & "Jesse"/Ghostface for the Gen Z generation.
Oh ok. I see, Xavion Niles. I still don't think it's too risky. I think it's unique and it'll help your script stand out when you pitch it.
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absolutely not, i think thats a great twist. tropes are made to be subverted!
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Actually tropes are made to be changed and it's a really cool idea. As long as the story's good!
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I wouldn't worry about what's risky. People are too paranoid today. Just go for it! A bigger thing I'd be concerned about (if it matters to you) is how well it'll sell. Maybe ask a sales agent if your project could get traction with the ideas you have in mind. The market is consistently shifting. Best wishes!
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Danny Manus Your comment reflects an openness to innovative storytelling that breaks away from traditional and expected patterns. That's good.
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Not at all! I’m excited to see it! Sometimes I feel like the biggest trap when it comes to “modernizing” horror films is when it comes to focusing more on the trends rather than actually telling a story. Your story sounds solid and I’m looking forward to seeing how this new final duo can add to the story!
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This is what Goldman meant by "Nobody knows anything." He was talking about marketing. Even back in Goldman's prime 1970's, marketing experts were wrong.
Worry about what you can control- the story and craft on the page. Stop worrying about Cart before horse screenwriting
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At the end of the day, with any question like this, all you have to do is ask yourself if you want to see it. If so, there's a market. If you go around looking for reasons not to do something different, particularly reasons from others, you're going to easily find them.
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Ill point out that SCREAM (the original) did this with the Randy character - he wasnt gay (technically) but he was the comic relief sidekick and he survived to the sequel with the final girl(s).
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What's the story you want to tell?
If that's the one, tell that.
Unless someone pays you money to tell it differently, then tell that one.
If a script is written strongly enough, ain't nobody going to give a shit what the main character is because they'll love who they are.
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Scott Sawitz Well, the story is really about generational sins and how children are affected by the grave mistakes of their parents. Hannah represents the "strength" of the story, taking the lead and driving the mystery part of the plot while Oliver represents the "heart" of the story, overcoming loss and defining himself not by who people thinks he may be because of his killer dad but who he proves himself to be throughout the film. Love the bluntness of your words by the way.
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Olivia Drake Thanks Olivia! Out of the 7 projects that I've written, this is probably my 2nd favorite to see come to life. I truly feel as though my "Hardy-Drew Crew" could be an endearing group that people will connect to and be anxious to see where their story goes.
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Danny Manus Subverting tropes is something that I strive to do when it comes to writing horror scripts! I also love world building, so I think this duo has a lot of room to grow as people if it were to be a franchise/trilogy given the intricate backstory of the prestigious but duplicitous family they come from, and the story being told in the film.