Hey folks, Harry here. And finally someone has checked in with a report on Robert Rodriguez's SPY KIDS. Now, I've known about it for quite some time, but I sort of have an unwritten rule when it comes to movies that my close friends are making. Basically it is that I'll read their scripts, see everything, but I'll only report what comes to me via my regular sources. So... on THE FACULTY, Robert held off giving me the script, so I scored it on my own, thus reporting on it first. It becomes an interesting game of tag. The only way I'd talk about their films before that is if they give the 'ok' to it. But, just like you were surprised by this report, so will Robert when he wakes up in the morning. Heh heh heh... I'm sure this will add some fire to our conversation Friday when we paint models... heheheheh... GOTCHA ROBERT!!! Now that being said, let me introduce this piece. Mysterio here has given a damn good introduction to SPY KIDS. I believe that EVERYTHING he has written takes place in the opening 30 pages or so of the script. There is alot more. This film while taking place in the world of 'Spies' also takes place in the world of children and fantasy. If Robert pulls off what he's up to in this script it will be an absolutely amazingly cool film for kids and adults. He doesn't treat his kids like idiots, but rather ingenious kids. The way kids are in movies like SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES or JOHNNY QUEST. They have limitations, but they kickass. Also... it's a Spy film without a single gun. Robert has created some rather special alternate treats that are far more creative and fun than a GUN. Casting? Well, I believe last time I talked to Robert that he had narrowed it down to the last two kids, but they are doing full costume and makeup tests I believe next week, so we'll see for sure then. They are both, new kids. Personally from the video tape I saw the Boy is fantastic. He's missing a couple of teeth and is an honest to goodness KID. The girl I haven't seen enough on to really have a decision other than, she looks like she'd pick on the little brother something awful. As for the adult roles... As far as I know, noone has been cast. Rumors have been floating around the local papers here that Antonio Banderas had been cast for the role of the Father/Spy, but I talked to Robert earlier this week and Antonio still hasn't reached a decision... so... Every adult role is still up in the air. Which is fun. I believe filming is set to begin in November now, and when I visited the blank sets back a month or so ago, they were all... plywood at that point. I'm sure now some of them must be nearing completion or be complete. The main thing is this is the first 100% Robert Rodriguez film since DESPERADO. Both FROM DUSK TILL DAWN and THE FACULTY were other people's scripts and concepts, this... this is 100% Rodriguez. And he has no fear of throwing a kid through a window. This should be a lot of fun. Oh... Am I going to be in it? Maybe. I believe Robert is thinking of having me be in an eating scene. DAMN TYPECASTING!!! Hehehehe... Oh... there is one bit of casting I know of for sure. Danny Trejo (the knife guy from DESPERADO and the Bartender from FROM DUSK TILL DAWN). Meanwhile, I'll hand this on over to MYSTERIO......
Hello again Harry. Materializing back onto your site is I, 'Mysterio', and I come forth with news of a recent find. A project rather close to an individual whom you keep acquaintance with from time to time I believe. Allow me to briefly explain.
It seems that my renegade F/X team of apprentice's working in my "special projects" division have recently stormed the secretive offices of one, Los Hooligans Productions, and made quite a find.
You see, recently looking through the city's trade publications, I began thinking of which directors I would possibly like to lend my future services to one day, and the name Robert Rodriguez came to mind. After the somewhat disappointing "The Faculty", I was curious to find out what could be up his sleeve next. After all, I was thrilled by his previous efforts, and found "From Dusk Till Dawn" to be an F/X artist's playground of nightmare's so-to-speak, not to mention a damn fine flick just the same.
So bestowed upon past rumors that he would either direct the last film in his "Mariachi" series, make a feature from his short, "Bedhead", or just maybe, if FOX would ever greenlight his "Predators" script, he would possibly consider doing that, I ventured for the truth.
Then those rumors became more and more distant over time - with the exception of hearing him wanting to do a "family film" next. Signs then began pointing more towards the "Bedhead" rumor - that is, until I sent my team out on a mission.
What they recovered, and immediately brought to my attention, was a script entitled "SPY KIDS", which they hoped I would consider after reading, soliciting my services towards the project. And, if the opportunity ever came about, place them on the F/X team assigned to the project as a reward of sorts.
So just moments after having it placed into my hands, I crawled onto a ladder outside of my studio, and climbed on top of the roof. There, alone I perched myself on a brownstone ledge, overlooking the city at night. I began to read it, as a nearby city lamppost illuminated each page as I read.
And read I did. Moments pasted by, until the wind began to pick back up, turning over the final page, as I had just nearly finished reading it.
I then climbed back down though a hidden passageway, leading me back to a secretive room I keep to myself, where I plan my evil doings and whatnots, and collect my thoughts.
So here is where I share my collective thoughts and views with you now, the reader.
When I first heard that Robert Rodriguez wanted to do a family-oriented film, I must say I cringed at the thought. I mean, yes, I know he has become more domesticated having become a family man and having all those paternal feelings surfacing about, but I thought, 'why'? Why trade in the guns for crayons? I so much like the guns, the blood, and the violence - not to mention the stylized editing of the action sequences. To watch all of that mayhem unfold and erupt in each and every frame brings a smile to my face.
But then I realized that kids are just balls of mayhem & energy. And with this, I remembered his outstanding segment in "Four Rooms", and the answer to my question became clear…
…His sense of play. That's "why?". Robert has that sense in all his films. Whether exaggerating a moment, or loosely letting a scene play itself out physically, he has a sense of fun that shows in all his films to date. For the duration of a Rodriguez film, you are on a ride of cinematic bliss. A popcorn flick to enjoy and savor in each and every way. And in this script, he has plenty of opportunities to do so.
The story centers on a family, whose two young children, CARMEN (age 9) and JUNI (age 6) are unaware of their parent's past lives. That is until a secret mission brings their parents out of semi-retirement, and their hidden past is brought to light.
You see, during a bedtime story, their mother, INGRID, tells the children of a tale of two spies who met on opposite sides, fell in love, and retired from the business to start a family.
Of course we come to realize that she is telling the children the story of her, and their father, GREGORIO CORTEZ, and how they met, fell in love and married.
The children have heard the story times before and never thought twice of it. That is, until their parents are pulled out from "semi-retirement" by their old boss, who needs their help in recovering two top secret agents who are missing in the field.
Reluctant at first, they finally agree estimating the mission should only take a few days largely in part to a secret device Gregorio has been working on over the years, that is essentially a computer that "thinks for itself. It's able to anticipate an outcome and quickly act upon it before a problem can arise. The opportunity to get back in the field, allows Gregorio a perfect environment to fully test his invention in.
So they leave their kids in the care of their butler, and confidant, FELIX who is fully aware of their situation at hand. He is left instructions that if ever anything should happen to them, he is to take the kids to a designated safe house.
With the parents away, the kids act like a typical brother a sister whose love-hate relationship shows through their inter-action with one another. They play video games, tease and verbally spar one another, and watch a typical childrens show together called, "FLOOP'S FLUGIES". It's essentially a "Seseme Street"-type TV show complete with a human host and various odd-looking characters who, due to the success of the show, spin-off into action figures, breakfast cereals and such merchandise.
It's only when their parents mission runs into a snafu, that the kids are literally thrown into the "spy world" and learn through various briefings by Felix, of their parents true lives.
The creator and inventor of "FLOOP'S FLUGIES", MR. FLOOP, has created a robot army of replicants. Clones of the children of the world's richest citizens to be exact. They will act as espionage agents, who carry the strength of a army, and the cunning and intelligence of all the greatest agents. They will be the ultimate weapons in the spy game. Currently, Floop is in negotiations with a MR. LISP, who acts as the powerful, terrorist leader whose organization is financing the operation, and who has even more sinister plans ahead.
So with the stage for a global takeover set, hidden behind the backdrop of a popular childrens show, they appear to be nearly victorious, except they do need a vital missing piece to fulfil their evil project. Which only Gregorio has, and which is why they'll do almost anything to get it from him, even if it means kidnapping his only two children.
So the children soon become the last array of hope in saving their parents and the world through a series of mishaps and events, that lead them (and the reader) through a joyous adventure of intrigue, humor and wholesome entertainment. The story comes complete with the settings, sub-plots, betrayals, gadgets and cliches that we've come to expect and love from watching all those Bond films as kids.
Essentially the script feels like what we, as children, used to do after seeing the latest Bond film, or Mission Impossible episode - we immediately wanted to play spies afterwards! And that's just what this script and story felt like. It embarrassingly touched the kid inside me, and made me feel a bit young at heart again.
The story subject is far less violent that Robert's previous films, but it does have plenty amount of action and surprises, which cast away my fears of what a wonderful little film this could eventually become in Robert's capable hands.
Props to a script that indeed feels like what could turn out to be a film that both children and adults can equally and truly enjoy.
-"MYSTERIO"
Technical Information:
"SPY KIDS"
Screenplay by: Robert Rodriguez
"Cast Draft" @ 108 pages
Draft dated: 8.7.99
