In the wake of Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, writer-director-star Andrew Bowser pitched a Boglins movie based on Mattel’s monstrous toy puppets from the late ‘80s. The filmmaker details the process in the 14-minute video below, which is a must-watch for anyone interested in the inner workings of the film industry. Bowser had […]
In the wake of Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, writer-director-star Andrew Bowser pitched a Boglins movie based on Mattel’s monstrous toy puppets from the late ‘80s.
The filmmaker details the process in the 14-minute video below, which is a must-watch for anyone interested in the inner workings of the film industry.
Bowser had a general meeting with Mattel to discuss potential working together on a film based on one of company’s properties, including Magic 8 Ball and Jack-in-the-Box. When the subject of Boglins came up, Bowser knew he could deliver something special.
He pitched an Amblin-style adventure with edge, heart, and style, using E.T., Gremlins, The Gate, and The Monster Squad as points of reference.
Bowser described it as a “throwback feeling film but taking place in the modern day and having a modern message about the environment and even climate change and science deniers and all sorts of things.”
The Mattel executives were receptive to the direction and asked for a full pitch deck, which Bowser delivered — complete with a fleshed out story, concept art, and a VFX test.
“In my pitch, the Boglins were not the villains,” Bowser explains. “They were a nuisance at first, but then it’s quickly revealed there’s a larger villain, and it would be this big, bad Boglin that then the Boglins and the townspeople have to band together to fight.”
He continues, “The inciting incident for the film was that a baby Boglin snuck home in the pocket of a little girl who was actualyl bullied and thrown into the bog because she’s known as being this science nerd.”
The baby Boglin, which becomes the girl’s pet, would be created digitally until it matures into a full-size Boglin with practical effects.
Ultimately, Mattel decided to go in a different direction with another filmmaker. Although it has yet to come to fruition, it seems a Boglins movie is still on the table. Bowser’s pitch will be tough to top.
Bowser is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to make a music video for the Onyx the Fortuitous throwback end credit rap song “”
