BEHIND THE STORY...
Tom Hanks had starred in the hit 1988 film about a young boy who wishes to “be big” and wakes up an adult (Hanks). The idea of kids getting wishes fulfilled was a popular idea in kids programming in the 1980s, so it seemed logical to convert the concept into a series. The biggest hurdle was turning a “gimmick” movie into an idea that could become episodic. To prove it was possible, I not only wrote an initial pitch, but also included a number of premises for potential episodes.
FOX received the pitch with great enthusiasm. They had a strong desire to build on the franchise, but knew a sequel would not make much sense. (He grows up again?) We were near a deal when FOX decided to turn the film into a Broadway musical. Once again, the owners worried that an animated series might dilute the potential for adult interest and the series was dropped. The musical opened in 1996, and closed that same year. John Weidman (PACIFIC OVERTURES, ASSASSINS, SESAME STREET) wrote the book. Music was by David Shire, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr
And now my pitch...
BIG
An Animated Series Proposal by John Cawley
Film Roman's BIG would take the basic premise of a boy being granted his wish "to be big" only to learn that what you wish for is not always what you want and expand it. Using the magic of animation, the hero of the animated BIG will experience more than merely being "big;" he will begin to experience new dimensions of learning and understanding as he travels in space and time.
When Josh, an average ten year old, discovers the local amusement park is being torn down. He gets his father's assistance in rescuing "Zoltar Granter of Wishes," an ancient arcade machine. Once the machine is in his garage, Josh is surprised to discover that Zoltar can truly grant "wishes that install wisdom." Now, whenever Josh asks for a chance to experience another time, place or dimension Zoltar makes good his promise. The garage door opens and outside is neither the driveway nor today, but the world Josh has wished for.
Whenever Josh has a problem or question, he can ask Zoltar to give him the needed experience. The question Josh asks must be in the form of a wish, and Josh must always be as precise as possible. Whether it's learning how knights of old won their ladies (by being one), why "might make right" (by trying to disprove it, or simply why some things are the way they are (by discovering the origin), Zoltar assists Josh in learning by granting the wish.
Wherever Josh goes, he brings his childlike views» it may be in the design of the world or the innocent, unchained imagination of youth. Sometimes Josh's family, friends and pets appear as characters in his world (since the worlds are still created out of Josh's mind). Each trið is unique to Josh.
In his travels through time and space, Josh discovers that being "big" is never the answer, merely one possibility. He finds that being yourself and knowing your own abilities and limitations are more important. Once Josh has discovered the key lesson, Zoltar brings him back to the garage until the next question.
PREMISES
“A HARD KNIGHT'S DAY” - When Josh finds his girl becoming infatuated with a football player, he wishes he could learn how knights won their faire ladies. Zoltar grants his wish by placing him in the days of King Arthur. However, to be a knight he must perform a number of tasks including fighting a dragon. With a little luck and some child's tricks and toys he manages to pass all the tests only to find the lady faire prefers men who are home all the time to one who must be "on the road fighting dragons and what not." Upon his return he finds it true since his girl quickly accepts his invitation to the mall and a movie on Saturday rather than watch the team practice. As she says, her man must "have a life I can be a part of, not just watch."
“HERO'S HOLIDAY” - When Josh discovers he can't go to the big game because he has to do yard work, he wishes his was Mighty Man, a super hero, since super powers would allow him to get the yard work done in seconds and not miss the game. Zoltar grants the wish and Josh steps out of the garage into the world of comics. Unfortunately, he finds that his time is filled with rescuing people. Before he knows it, he has missed the ballgame. He returns to the garage realizing no one has time to do everything and he must learn to budget his time better.
“YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS...” - When Josh finds he's been "volunteered" for some community work he becomes angry and wishes people "wouldn't think of me" all the time. Zoltar grants the wish and the garage door opens to his normal street. Josh steps outside certain something is wrong, he's not even "big." However he soon finds that not only don't people think of him, no one seems to remember anything about him... not even Zoltar. As the stranger in the town, who knows so much, the neighborhood becomes suspicious of him and suspects he's an alien in human form. He must now convince the people that he is from Earth, but everything he does seems to do make it look like he is an alien. When he finally returns he realizes that it's important to take a part in the community.
“GIANT JUMBLE” - When Josh is scheduled to compete against another, less skilled, student, he laughs it off until his classmates claim he's being cruel. He wishes he could have some experience in winning with "more compassion and grace" like Hercules. Zoltar grants his wish by placing him in ancient Greece. However, Josh is shocked to discover that this time his wish has made him really big as he finds he is the giant that Hercules is trying to defeat. Though self confident that he can easily beat Hercules, he soon sees that the smaller Hercules is still a worthy opponent and may deserve to win. He comes back to his normal size realizing that there is more to competition than merely winning.
text, image and format © John Cawley
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