3/25/92 (Sci-Fi--Clement/la Frenais) Script Discussion

[Phlibbit]

Here's the OFFICIAL forum for discussion of the 3/25/92 SMB Movie Script.

Background: This is the version of the script that I acquired a while ago. It's totally official, and has a Lightmotive cover and everything. It's a more detailed, hard-edged version of the movie that we got. So take the movie we got on steroids, and that's what this script is like. Look for lots of expanded roles and ideas, and different Mario game references.

Link: Click here for the script

Overview: Writers Dick Clement & Ian la Frenais really hit their stride in this second draft that fully realizes their vision of a more mature, gritty and action-packed adventure into a parallel world of humanoid dinosaurs. While humor is still largely absent, so too are the holdovers from Parker & Terry's initial sci-fi draft that simply wouldn't work under their new direction.

Their take comes across much more sophisticated and adult-oriented than before with its "Mad Max"-style death races in the desert, wry British political satire and hedonistic behavior among the reptilian populace. However, the trade-off for this stronger narrative is a much less obvious connection to the games.

This script and its promise of maturity and character-presence brought actors Bob Hoskins, Dennis Hopper and Fiona Shaw onto the project. To their surprise and annoyance, they were given a completely new script by yet another team of writers once they arrived on set to begin filming. This new script would lack the political and social depth of before in favor of something lighter and more practical.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATES:

6/25/09--All right, I've finally achieved the near-impossible task of transcribing this thing. Now, I'm not going to comment on it a whole lot initially; I want to hear everyone's thoughts on it after they've finished reading it. However, after reading it again (while typing) I have to say that while the movie we got was better than this script, there were some very interesting additional explorations of the "SMB Movie World" that really fleshed out the story. And on the other hand, as I think some of you will see, there are some glaring problems with some of the characters and how the story ends. Just wanna throw that out there. Let me know what you think!

6/25/09--I'm about to knock this thing out. Only 32 pages left until you can have the full script for your viewing pleasure. I should have it up this evening.

3/24/09--Since I'm on a roll today, I've decided to go ahead and upload the third part of the wonderful early draft script. Enjoy and discuss.

2/26/09--Well, I didn't have time to convert what I had completed until now, so...here it is! Look for Part III next week (for real, I'm not joking).

1/15/09--Yes, I'm slow, I know. My lack of time to be able to do this stuff is really starting to get to me. But my New Year's Resolution is to have at least slightly more time to do stuff. So, I'm working on the next couple of parts of the script, where it really gets good. I'm typing it now, and expect to see it early next week, when I have a chance to get it converted.

10/14/08--Hey, guess what? I have the first part of our Early Draft Script adventure done and uploaded, ONE WHOLE DAY EARLY! How about that for service? So anyway, the interesting stuff in this first part are some different dialogue, Mario and Luigi's run-in with rival plumbers Doug and Mike, and Daisy works as a waitress in a restaurant that Mario and Luigi are doing a plumbing job in. And that's just scratching the surface of what this interesting early vision of the film has to offer.

10/10/08--Okay, everyone! The time is now...almost. The first 10 pages are coming, rest assured. I have them already typed up, but I need an XP computer to convert the stupid thing to a PDF. And that won't be until next Wednesday (10/15/08). But it IS coming and I WILL post it at that date. Maybe I'll get a few more pages done until then.

[Phlibbit]

Okay, so let's get some pre-discussion going. Are you excited, or just plain tired of not having it yet? Another question: should I just post the updated version every time (all the pages), or should I do it in increments (a file with pages 1-10, 11-20, etc.)?

[seanmulry]

I'm deffinately excited!!!!

I've been waiting a long time and now it's almost here!! Thanks for the reminder!

[ultimateemail5000]

Dude I seriously can't wait to read this. I hope it's sort of like the novelization, but then I'll just be like, "why wasn't the movie like this?"

[SuperWario34]

I really want to read the script!

[Saber16]

Thanks for the update, can't wait!

[Phlibbit]

Part I is up! Discuss!

[SuperWario34]

hmmmm...interesting....interesting

[ultimateemail5000]

I already like this way better than the final product. The fact that the bros. wear jumpsuit coveralls at the beginning is sweet. It almost sounds like Luigi would have had a mustache too. Great stuff, can't wait to read more. Oh yeah, I'm still a little shocked they said "shit."

[Phlibbit]

Ha, that's one of the least shocking things in the script. There's a lot more cursing where that came from...

[Saber16]

Hmm.. I'm having some trouble loading the page. Whenever I click the link, I get sent to a page with
Error 403 - Forbidden

You tried to access a document for which you don't have privileges.

Can someone help me out here?

[SuperWario34]

yeah, the link to the script is at the top of this page, in Philbit's first post

[Saber16]

Ah... so it is... Thanks for that.

Anyway, so far I like the early draft. It seems interesting, can't wait to read more.

Thanks again Philbit!

[Sonicroc]

Dude, thanks a lot! I have watched through most of the scenes over and over again, looking for video game references, etc., so it's interesting to see them changed. I wonder why they got rid of the cafe scene. Maybe they didn't want to have to pay for the dishes!

Ha, that's one of the least shocking things in the script. There's a lot more cursing where that came from...

Yes, that is one of the few things that I dislike about the film... But in this case, it's just a script, so I can easily edit it out for my own purposes!

Anyway, I guess I'd prefer you upload them separately, just so I don't have to find my place and all. But at the end, you can compile them all together and put them on the main site!

I hope it's sort of like the novelization, but then I'll just be like, "why wasn't the movie like this?"

Wait, did the book have content that was cut from the film or something?

[SuperWario34]

Sort of, like things like Bowser, that is what they called the King in the end, which is weird.

The thing you should look for is, in the end of this script, whether or not they call him bowser...

[ultimateemail5000]

I hope it's sort of like the novelization, but then I'll just be like, "why wasn't the movie like this?"

Wait, did the book have content that was cut from the film or something?

The book was more in depth with the relationship with the bros. For instance, Mario was kind of ashamed of Luigi, because he didn't think he cared about his family heritage, plus he didn't like the fact Luigi didn't have a mustache. Just little things like that.

[Phlibbit]

Part II is up guys...hope you like it

[Serum]

Sweet, it's like Mario, but with an 'adult' edge. I like it.

[Carl]

I love how the characters have evolved from the '91 script and through this one, up to the script that was used. I love how Big Eddie became Eddie Scapelli, who later evolved into Anthony Scapelli, the corrupt businessman of the final movie.
I'm glad in the finished cut, it was scapelli's goons that sabotaged the digging site. Mario was admirable in denying Scapelli's offer, but it sucks that he was held at gunpoint and all.
LOL, the old lady scene, I also loved the cop's line "Failure to bribe!"

[Phlibbit]

Like I said in the update, I'm almost done transcribing. It should be up soon!

[Phlibbit]

Yay, it's finally up! Let me know what you guys think...

[Serum]

I'm about to read it, can't wait.

[ultimateemail5000]

This script was very interesting, but not as good as the earlier draft, IMO. This was pretty much like the final product but with some tweaks. I like the part at the end with the Japanese business man who basicly want to make a Super Mario Bros game. What I didn't like about this script though, is at times it just jumps aroudn the place. It felt that I was reading the Bros in one place, and then it said they were somewhere else. It was really confusing, I was really lost durring the final battle with Mario and Koopa. The script was also kind of boring to read at some points, so yeah I definetly was falling asleep at certain times. Did the Bros. ever get their red and gren uniforms? Did I miss the part where that happens, or were they completely in regular clothes the whole time?

I really like the final product better then this draft of the script, but I really enjoy the first draft the best. Hopefully there are more drafts floating around out there and more can be found. I think I waited 3 years to read this script after finding this site, I'm really glad the day finally came.

[Phlibbit]

I gotta say, thanks for hanging in there. I know I'm slow with this stuff. I really wanna get the bulk of the site finished in the next few weeks.

So yeah, I agree with a lot of what you said about the script. It gets off to a good start but about halfway through it gets really jumpy and really confusing. And plot holes galore, more than the movie we got. Mario and Luigi get their coveralls on page 78, around the same time they do during the movie.

Here are some of my (re)initial observations. In the movie, one could say that the characters aren't developed enough. Having said that, notice how many extra characters there are in this script? There is both Hark and Toad; their roles are combined in the movie. Although it was nice to get more of Toad in there, it took a LOT away from Iggy and Spike's characters. Daisy is very, very lightly told of her origins...I don't think they even said that her king was the fungus or anything.

What did you think of the Devo chamber scene? We never see someone de-evolve into a Goomba, and there are no hand-held devo guns in the movie. The role of Simon and the security guard are combined into one role in the movie as well.

But anyway I'll probably write up a full analysis when I post it on the site.

[Redstar]

Just finished reading the entirety of this script for the first time and I have to say I'm pretty surprised at the differences. Phlibb was right: this is our movie on steroids. Most of the changes, cuts and combining of characters was most likely the result of a dwindling budget, lack of time and poor resources. I'll be interested to hear what any of the writers have to say on this if we can interview them.

Although it was nice to get more of Toad in there, it took a LOT away from Iggy and Spike's characters. Daisy is very, very lightly told of her origins...I don't think they even said that her king was the fungus or anything.

I really appreciated Toad's expanded role but, as you said, it did take a lot away from Iggy and Spike. However, despite Toad's expanded role he still didn't really have much characterization other than that of a burned-out stoner with a "that's my theory" catch-phrase. I feel all three were eventually re-written into the best representations of their characters through optimum role-importance/screentime.

And, yeah, Daisy's origin was more implied and less crucial than it would later become. The "Guardians" background was still a nice expansion of her role and offered an explanation as to why she was the only one capable of inserting the rock. It seems like the importance of each of her backgrounds was reversed in the final movie, which is unfortunate. It would have been great for both aspects to be equally presented.

What did you think of the Devo chamber scene? We never see someone de-evolve into a Goomba, and there are no hand-held devo guns in the movie. The role of Simon and the security guard are combined into one role in the movie as well.

I noticed that myself. The scene feels rather pointless without it. When Toad was de-evolved that scene meant something.

One thing I enjoyed was that Big Bertha was a police officer. That gave a legitimate and realistic reason for her to come into possession of the rock, when in the final movie it was just happenstance that she took it. The execution was rather poor. This would have also allowed her more screentime and a closer look into both her character and the police.

Conversely, the desert scene could have really been cut down. The "Mad Max"-style bounty hunter/death race just would not have worked in terms of pacing and budget. They should have kept the expanded Toad scenes but left that aspect out.

Finally, the fight with Koopa and Mario was much better. It was probably cut down due to budgetary reasons and time, but seeing a reptilian Koopa crawling on walls and using a tongue to choke Mario would have been an amazing climax. What a waste.

Overall, I think this was a much better movie than what we eventually received other than a few minor points. The pacing was just better, the characters were more active in the story, and everything ended in a tidier way. The only true flaw is the lack of characterization, which I think is a problem with the actual movie anyways.

[Serum]

I finally got around to reading this, this is the shooting script, right? The one the actors (more or less) read from.

I liked a lot about it, the expansion of Toad's character, a more detailed story arc between Mario and Luigi, but it's missing the charm of the initial Bennett/Runte sci-fi script. However, if I were the director, I would have somehow made the screenwriters combine most of what's in this script with the original Bennett/Runte script and keep the Mad Max elements, and some element of humor. The narrative in this script is strong, very strong, but the ending (and I mean the last two pages) are extremely weak sauce. The whole screenplay the movie seems to take itself so seriously and then at the end we've got Iggy and Spike working for the Marios which just seems way out of left field.

Here's what I would have done: I would have kept the Mario references (Bullet Bill, Thwomp, the "coin box" phone booths and Toad's chameleon powers, etc-etc) from the Bennett/Runte script, used most of this Clement/la Frenais script and kept the ending ("Thanks Pop") of the Bennett/Runte script. Other than that, the narrative is very strong, and it's a hardcore version of the film we got in the end.

Now all that's left to do is to find Barry Morrow's first draft!

[Redstar]

I finally got around to reading this, this is the shooting script, right? The one the actors (more or less) read from.

Actually, this is the script that brought the actors onto the project. When they arrived on-set to begin shooting they were given a completely different shooting script by Ed Solomon and Ryan Rowe. You can read the first 19 pages of that script HERE. (We have the full script scanned, but we're waiting to put it up alongside related materials)

The whole screenplay the movie seems to take itself so seriously and then at the end we've got Iggy and Spike working for the Marios which just seems way out of left field.

That ending is actually the one part of the script that I really like.

Here's what I would have done: I would have kept the Mario references (Bullet Bill, Thwomp, the "coin box" phone booths and Toad's chameleon powers, etc-etc) from the Bennett/Runte script, used most of this Clement/la Frenais script and kept the ending ("Thanks Pop") of the Bennett/Runte script. Other than that, the narrative is very strong, and it's a hardcore version of the film we got in the end.

If you'd like to have seen a script that combined elements from the drafts of both teams of writers then you should really check out Dick Clement & Ian la Frenais' Die Hard-influenced first draft.

It actually does do exactly what you'd like, complete with a desert-dwelling Toad that also has chameleon powers. It's an interesting mid-point in the story's development, though you should be warned that it has absolutely no humor.

Now all that's left to do is to find Barry Morrow's first draft!

There's actually a few more scripts than that.

[Phlibbit]

^No, this isn't the shooting script. I don't think there actually *is* a shooting script--more on that in a sec.

After Clement and la Frenais were done with their draft, the studio thought the film was too adult and brought in Ed Solomon and Ryan Rowe to do a draft in about two weeks' time. It's very apparent that it was rushed, and is extremely "kiddified." However, the dialogue is pretty good and a lot of it ended up in the finished film.

After this draft, Bennett and Runte were brought back on to do revisions--which lasted throughout production. The different revisions were on different colored pages--hence the "rainbow draft," which is essentially the shooting script.

[Serum]

^No, this isn't the shooting script. I don't think there actually *is* a shooting script--more on that in a sec.

After Clement and la Frenais were done with their draft, the studio thought the film was too adult and brought in Ed Solomon and Ryan Rowe to do a draft in about two weeks' time. It's very apparent that it was rushed, and is extremely "kiddified." However, the dialogue is pretty good and a lot of it ended up in the finished film.

After this draft, Bennett and Runte were brought back on to do revisions--which lasted throughout production. The different revisions were on different colored pages--hence the "rainbow draft," which is essentially the shooting script.

Right, the rainbow draft, I forgot about that. Do any of us have that one? Also, Redstar, you said there are more drafts, does anyone have any idea who they're by (if by different people) and where they might be? We've apparently got a lot of script wrangling to do, here.

[Redstar]

Right, the rainbow draft, I forgot about that. Do any of us have that one?

We do! Unlike the original Solomon/Rowe shooting script and the final Bennett/Runté revisions, the "Rainbow Draft" isn't terribly interesting. It's pretty close to the film that was shot, though there are a few pages that indicate how certain scenes were rewritten. We'll put that up soon enough.

Also, Redstar, you said there are more drafts, does anyone have any idea who they're by (if by different people) and where they might be? We've apparently got a lot of script wrangling to do, here.

The only scripts we know of by other writers would be the George Stone script (Rocky and Annabel's writer and co-creator of Max Headroom) and the Barry Morrow script, as well as whatever pitches went up against Parker and Terry. There's also very likely to be further revisions for the scripts we already have (both earlier and later). We do know that there's an earlier, unpolished version of the fantasy script that contains less game references.

[Serum]

Also, Redstar, you said there are more drafts, does anyone have any idea who they're by (if by different people) and where they might be? We've apparently got a lot of script wrangling to do, here.

The only scripts we know of by other writers would be the George Stone script (Rocky and Annabel's writer and co-creator of Max Headroom) and the Barry Morrow script, as well as whatever pitches went up against Parker and Terry. There's also very likely to be further revisions for the scripts we already have (both earlier and later). We do know that there's an earlier, unpolished version of the fantasy script that contains less game references.

We should upload the rainbow draft if we have it, even if it's not that interesting, I'm sure some people will find something interesting out of it. Also, we should dedicate ourselves to finding Barry Morrow's and George Stone's scripts as soon as possible. As an archive, we need to archive every single possible thing regarding the film and the film's production.

[Redstar]

We should upload the rainbow draft if we have it, even if it's not that interesting, I'm sure some people will find something interesting out of it. Also, we should dedicate ourselves to finding Barry Morrow's and George Stone's scripts as soon as possible. As an archive, we need to archive every single possible thing regarding the film and the film's production.

We fully plan to provide everything we have, but it just wouldn't be wise to put it up all at once. We have a schedule to keep to.

Now, back to script discussion!

[Serum]

Having read and reread this script, I've come to the conclusion that had they just worked some elements from Parker Bennett and Terry Runte's script (mostly more Mario game references, like the coin boxes and the names of certain characters made more obvious with more obvious visual connections) this could have been an Oscar-worthy film. Now, not necessarily for writing, but definitely in terms of make-up and special effects for the time period. I do know that the final film was shortlisted for an Oscar nomination (in best special effects, I think) and unfortunately it never even got nominated. However, this script is pretty definitive, and I can see why Bob Hoskins liked this version so much more and why he and Dennis Hopper were so disappointed when they got a new script to work with...

...the only things I'd really change about this script are the initial setup between Daisy and Luigi (I think it would make more sense if they already were dating before the start of the film), Mario having a relationship with Pauline Scapelli (known as 'Daniella' for some odd reason in the final film) and the ending, which I thought was extremely out of place. The ending could have been fixed by simply working the exact same closing lines of the initial sci-fi draft into this one (Thanks, Pop.). The idea of Iggy and Spike suddenly working for the Mario Bros really irks me in a bad way for some reason. The other thing I'd change is that they'd eventually get their overalls/jumpsuits in this script, which in this script it's implied that they just wear generic plumbing coveralls towards the end and lame 'company' coveralls at the beginning with their logo stitched into them-- I'd just have them dressed the way they were in the final film. However, it's a very good script, and just like Ridley Scott and Mark Protosevitch's I Am Legend and George Romero's Resident Evil, it will unfortunately always exist in the realm of myth and maybe.

Basing my judgement on this script, here would be my dream cast for this script, could I pick people (both dead and alive) out of time and space...

Mario.......Danny DeVito (Taxi era, mid 30s)
Luigi........Bruno Kirby (Godfather era, mid 20s)
Daisy.......Emma Stone (Juno era, early 20s)
Koopa......Willem Dafoe (Spiderman era, early 50s)
Toad.......Brad Pitt (Troy era, early 40s)
Iggy........John Belushi (Neighbors era, early 30s)
Spike.......Dan Aykroyd (Ghostbusters era, early 30s)
Pauline....Carmen Electra (Baywatch era, late 20s)
Scapelli....Al Pacino (Scarface era, late 30s)

...not to say it wouldn't work perfectly with the cast that initially signed up for it, that's just my idea of a dream-cast. There's a French word for the phenomenon plaguing my desire to see this version of the movie, I forget what exactly the word is, but I think the literal translation comes out to "retroactive memories made from what could been," either way, this script is (almost) the defining peak of what could have been-- a wonderful "what if?" It's all that might have been and what could have and what should have been. A fully mature and completely peaked script worked from the ground up. What a shame it never came to be...

[Redstar]

I do know that the final film was shortlisted for an Oscar nomination (in best special effects, I think) and unfortunately it never even got nominated.

It was. Disney lobbied hard for A Nightmare Before Christmas to be counted in the visual effects department, which pushed Super Mario Bros. from the third to the fourth nomination.

...the only things I'd really change about this script are the initial setup between Daisy and Luigi (I think it would make more sense if they already were dating before the start of the film),

I just don't think that would work. The movie follows a "true love at first sight" fairy tale archetype, which is thematically fitting considering the princess and parallel world. Making Daisy and Luigi already in a relationship is just weak.

Mario having a relationship with Pauline Scapelli (known as 'Daniella' for some odd reason in the final film)

Probably because she's referred to as 'Daniella' in the early scripts as well.

The idea of Iggy and Spike suddenly working for the Mario Bros really irks me in a bad way for some reason.

That's honestly the only thing I like about this script. Judge its merits as a story or its connection to the games, but the script definitely utilized its characters very well.

[Serum]

...the only things I'd really change about this script are the initial setup between Daisy and Luigi (I think it would make more sense if they already were dating before the start of the film),

I just don't think that would work. The movie follows a "true love at first sight" fairy tale archetype, which is thematically fitting considering the princess and parallel world. Making Daisy and Luigi already in a relationship is just weak.

Okay, I'll give you that on a purely professional basis.
However from a personal basis I find the idea of "love at first site" to be weak, cliche and overdone.

Mario having a relationship with Pauline Scapelli (known as 'Daniella' for some odd reason in the final film)

Probably because she's referred to as 'Daniella' in the early scripts as well.

I know, I think they ought to have renamed her Pauline in the polished product, though-- Mario's girlfriend in the games is named Pauline.
I have no idea where they got 'Daniella' from.

The idea of Iggy and Spike suddenly working for the Mario Bros really irks me in a bad way for some reason.

That's honestly the only thing I like about this script. Judge its merits as a story or its connection to the games, but the script definitely utilized its characters very well.

As I've said, I've been a cynical existentialist for too many years-- it just didn't sit right from my point of view.
Other than my (few) reservations, I find the script to be genuinely flawless to work from.

[Redstar]

I know, I think they ought to have renamed her Pauline in the polished product, though-- Mario's girlfriend in the games is named Pauline.
I have no idea where they got 'Daniella' from.

I agree with you there, but they did markedly well with characters and how they named them. We should be lucky that the brief change of "Toad" to "Lemmy" was corrected.

[Serum]

I know, I think they ought to have renamed her Pauline in the polished product, though-- Mario's girlfriend in the games is named Pauline.
I have no idea where they got 'Daniella' from.

I agree with you there, but they did markedly well with characters and how they named them. We should be lucky that the brief change of "Toad" to "Lemmy" was corrected.

But even there, "Lemmy" is a Mario character-- "Daniella" is not. I noticed in this script that there were several characters named after Mario characters, like Bloober and Wart and Bertha. But still, it's up for grabs whether these characters would resemble their game counterparts or not. If they did, Bloober would be a pale guy who has thick black eye makeup on and Wart would be a great big fat guy. Bertha sort of resembles her counterpart in being red (if I remember correctly) and spiky.

But this script didn't have as many clear references to the games as the Parker Bennett/Terry Runte script, which to some degree makes that script superior. On the whole though, this script is very similar to the finished movie, like looking at it in a mirror darkly...

[Redstar]

But even there, "Lemmy" is a Mario character-- "Daniella" is not. I noticed in this script that there were several characters named after Mario characters, like Bloober and Wart and Bertha. But still, it's up for grabs whether these characters would resemble their game counterparts or not. If they did, Bloober would be a pale guy who has thick black eye makeup on and Wart would be a great big fat guy. Bertha sort of resembles her counterpart in being red (if I remember correctly) and spiky.

It really doesn't matter to me that Daniella isn't named "Pauline." It just sort of goes with the theme of "what really happened" not being exactly how they it's depicted in the games.

[Serum]

According to this Mario Wiki Page she is "possibly based on Pauline."

Either way, I suppose you're right-- her character doesn't add a whole lot to the movie to begin with and it's quite possible she's one of Mario's many girlfriends that we've learned of in all of the scripts. Though, being the purist that I am, I like to think someone initially thought of Pauline when writing the character of Daniella. Either way, her presence in the script, this script in particular has left me wondering: Was her character in the final finished film supposed to be Scapelli's sister? It's hard to tell, since at one point in the actual film she refers to Anthony Scapelli as "Scapelli," and not "Anthony" or "Tony," which is how I would think a sibling would refer to their sibling. Though if memory serves me, I don't think we actually see her saying those words, which means they could have been dubbed in later.

Either way, she doesn't add a whole lot to any of the scripts or the film itself.