Every now and then a movie is made that entrenches itself into the pop culture world. A perfect example of this is Kevin Smith's Clerks. But wait, there is another!
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"Here's the first image EVER from the new, Extended "Five Year Mission" Edition of Free Enterprise. As you can see, the original "Logan's Run" dream sequence has been augmented with new GCI shots depicting the Domed City from the original film. In the finished sequence, bubble cars will zip through the clear tubes, just like the finished film" - Robert Meyer Burnett
When Free Enterprise was released back in 1999 it didn't receive the wide release that it deserved making
its big screen box office numbers less than desirable. But, thanks to the almighty DVD and great "word of mouth" advertising, it has found a second chance for movie fans everywhere.
While Smiths' movies tend to cater to blue collar geeks, Free Enterprise is a look at the lives of
white collar geeks. Like Clerks, this movie has also found a very wide audience. A few years back while camping out for
Depeche Mode concert tickets in Santa Barbara I met a group of "gothic chicks." It just so happens that we began to talk
about the scifi universe and what did they say was one of their all time favorites? None other than Free Enterprise of course.
For our regular readers it's no surprise that Free Enterprise is also one of the IESB's must see films of all time. Almost
a requirement, if you will, for initiation into our group of friends. What can I say, this movie parallels my life as a geek so closely it's scary.
The Toy R Us run is hilarious, but true. The rich fourth grader analogy applies to me and all my friends.
Pan and Scan versus Widescreen is an argument I have had many times!
Finding this DVD is the hard part. Your regular department stores don't have it since it was originaly distributed
by Anime/Manga DVD House Pioneer. Luckily, it has now found a home with Anchor Bay. Yes people, a Special Edition is coming ready for re-release in May!
Since becoming a fan of this film I have personally stalked, I mean befriended, Writer/Director/Producer/Cantina Band Member/Orion Slave Trader Robert Meyer Burnett.
Since Free Enterprise, Robert has remained very busy in the entertainment world. He has
produced some of the best DVDs to date including Usual Suspects, X-Men 1.5 and X-2. He is currently working on The Lion, The Witch
and The Wardrobe and on Bryan Singer's Superman Returns.
Burnett was kind enough to answer a few questions for us regarding the Special Edition Free Enterprise as well as the planned sequel.
Q: Free Enterprise has become a fan favorite of plenty of geeks and non geeks alike. Did you believe that your film would have such a broad appeal?
RMB: Actually, I've been rather surprised by the reaction to the film since it's original release. When we premiered "Free Enterprise" at the 1998 AFI Fest here in Los Angeles, we actually won two awards, the "New Directions" award and the "Best New Writer" award presented by the WGA. So I thought I my career track was pretty well set. However, when the film was initially released theatrically in the Summer of 1999, in the wake of "The Phantom Menace," no one went to see it. I was getting married and I needed a steady income, so I went back to producing and directing Network promos for NBC and the WB. Then I found my way into producing Supplementary Material for DVDs Subsequently, HBO bought the film for an extremely successful cable debut...and then the Sci Fi channel ran it. Now, however, since the film has become a favorite in both fan and non-fan circles alike, I get e-mails almost daily from people who tell me "I put their lives on film." They wonder when I'm gonna' make a new film. After co-producing both "Agent Cody Banks" films for MGM over the past few years, I can assure everyone they will be seeing another feature directorial effort from me sooner rather then later.
Q: How closely did the film resemble you and your friends life/identities?
RMB: "Free Enterprise" is the Spinal Tap version of our lives...it's us...but turned up to eleven. I prefer to think that our film can be compared to our lives in much the same way "Curb Your Enthusiam" portrays Larry David. He stars in the series...and there's probably much of him in the show...but it's fictionalized.
Q: Seven years later did you expect to be working on a Free Enterprise Special Edition/Directors Cut?
RMB: I never would have expected to be working on a Free Enterprise Extended Edition six years later. Then again, I never would have expected someone would have remade "Assault on Precinct 13" or "Dawn of the Dead" either.
Q: When did you get this idea to have a Special Edition Free Enterprise?
RMB: The original DVD came out back in 1999, back at the dawn of the DVD era. I was extremely proud of that initial disc, but it remained hard to obtain, because Pioneer, the original distributor, didn't get the film into Best Buy or Wal-Mart. Many people who may enjoy the film never even knew it existed. When the rights to "Free Enterprise" reverted back to us, it made sense to re-release the DVD and take advantage of the advances in the medium, not to mention my own status as a top DVD producer. When Anchor Bay Entertainment, my second favorite home video company of all time (the first being Criterion) approached us about producing a new disc, we jumped at the chance...but only if the fans and consumers were given enough reason to re-buy the disc.
Q: What surprises can we expect on the new DVD edition that will be released on May 17 and how much longer is it?
RMB: Well, the release date may be pushed to May 31, because I want to give everyone a chance to get over their depression watching the downfall of Anakin Skywalker. Anchor Bay Entertainment really came through and not only re-transferred the film anamorphically in their HD "Divimax" process, which looks amazing, but also allowed us to create the new Extended Edition, complete with new effects, a few added scenes and other goodies. The highlight for me was recording a new audio commentary with William Shatner, Eric McCormack and star Rafer Weigel. I mean, how can I not love the fact two of my stars have gone on to win Emmys and Golden Globes. Also, the geeky fanboy in me loves the fact I was able to add gratutious CGI to the "Logan's Run" dream sequence. Shant Jordan, a friend of mine who's worked on everything from "Babylon 5" to the "Day After Tomorrow" and Kevin Rubio's "Troops" seemed a natural to complete this sequence. His work exceeded my expectations.
Q: If you could go back in time and do something different on Free Enterprise, what would it be?
RMB: Well, it might have been nice to have more time to rewrite the script after Shatner came on board...but otherwise...hey, it was a tremendous experience that not only realized a lifelong dream of making movies...but also allowed me to literally travel around the world for a year. I prefer to think more along the lines of Charlton Heston's Taylor in "Planet of the Apes," in the sense I left the 20th Century behind with no regrets.
Q: You got to work with Eric McCormack before he became this huge TV star in Will and Grace, did you see that coming?
RMB: Frankly, you only have to work with Eric McCormack for about a day before you realize just how damn talented the guy is. Not only is he a great actor, but he's got a wicked sense of humor. I wouldn't be surprised to see McCormack becoming very similar to Ron Howard in a few years.
Q:You recently were able to work on the commentaries for the Special Edition, how did it feel after all these years to sit down with Bill Shatner, Eric McCormack, Rafer Weigel and your good friend Mark Altman and see how much you've changed or haven't changed in 7 years?
RMB: We really haven't changed all that much. Even Denny Crane himself seems like a slightly older version of the Shatner character in Free Enterprise. In fact, I daresay we haven't changed much at all. Even McCormack, who really was catapulted into the limelight, seems to be the same affable dude he was back in 1998, which is nice. The only change in my life seems to be the number of 1/6 scale action figures I own.
Q: What is going on with Free Enterprise 2? Can you tell us what we can expect? Will Eric, Rafer, Bill, Audie and the rest of the gang come back?
RMB: The blame for the delay with Free Enterprise 2 really lies with me. I've been in New Zealand for the past year working on "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" DVD for Buena Vista Home Entertainment, so I really haven't been able to finish the script...but working on this new "Free Enterprise" DVD has strengthened my resolve. I think we've written a terrific script, a much larger film, which I hope to finish in the next couple of weeks. We really need to make it this year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Trek, which happens next year. I'd love to make it for Paramount Classics, so we can finally use proper Star Trek iconography. I will tell you this...I said to Shatner..."So, Bill...at the climax of the sequel, you have to eject out of an Israeli fighter jet, parachute to the outskirts of Las Vegas (there's a convention in town...so the pattern is full), jump on a horse and gallop down the middle of Las Vegas Blvd. so you can make it in time to preside over a certain wedding. How does that sound to you?" After a long pause, Bill says, deadpan, "Well Rob, it's nothing I haven't done before." Frankly, the film would be a slam dunk. I'd love to have the entire original cast return...plus a few crucial additional cast members.
Q: You mentioned that the World Premiere of the Special Edition will be done at Wonder Con in the Bay Area next month, will you also have a special screening or signing party anywhere where else in the Los Angeles area?
RMB: I'm sure we will, but I'll know more closer to the time of the DVDs release.
Q: Is this the last version of Free Enterprise or will you pull a George Lucas 10 years down the road and make "Another Special Edition?"
RMB: Other than an eventual HD release of the Extended Edition in a few years...this is the last time I revisit the film. For me, it's way overdue to bring new visions to the audience. I've got a script I've wanted to make for almost two decades, "The Jehovah Contract," which I think is one of the most fun projects I've ever read, but I think I have to make one more film first...
Q: A few years back there was talk about a possible TV show based on the movie, do you see that in the future?
RMB: Not really. However, on the new DVD, you'll see a pilot we shot for "Cafe Fantastique" a very "Free Enterprise"-esque "Dinner for Five" type of show, which I'm quite fond of.
So for all you movie geeks that will be in the Bay area, you will be able to watch Free Enterprise Special Edition on the big screen during Wonder Con weekend later this month. A whole 3 months before it's released on DVD.
Stay tuned to the IESB for the latest in movie news!
