So, I love SOUTHLAND TALES. I remember seeing it in a special screening when it first came out, and being completely blown away by it. From the mesmerizing score by Moby, to the wackadoo performance by Dwayne Johnson (still going by The Rock), to the insane visuals (like the floating, glowing ice-cream truck and MegaZeppelin one-shot), and of course that show-stopping Justin Timberlake dance sequence lip-syncing to The Killers. Now, while the reception to the film has been lukewarm, if not actively hostile since then, I maintain – while flawed – SOUTHLAND TALES is an ambitious, unique one-of-a-kind film that's worth checking out at least once.
What's even more fascinating, is that it tried to be one of the first "interactive experiences", with accompanying graphic novels telling the first three chapters of the story (with the film being the final three), as well as a multimedia website that expanded on both.
And it seems now that director Richard Kelly, who made a name for himself with the cult classic DONNIE DARKO, wants to go back and revisit those prequel stories, and make them into movies. He teased his intentions on Twitter, while promoting a new 4K transfer of the original film:
We have completed 4K restorations of both the theatrical and Cannes versions. The 158 minute Cannes cut is rough with many unfinished visual effects. It *will* be released for posterity… but my focus has been on preparing the epic Version 3.0 of #SouthlandTales. #SouthlandNow
— Richard Kelly (@JRichardKelly) April 5, 2020
#SouthlandTales is a six-chapter saga. The existing film covers the second half. I wrote graphic novels with @brettweldele that cover the first three chapters. I have completed an ambitious new script that uses the novels as a blueprint for an ambitious new film. #SouthlandNow
— Richard Kelly (@JRichardKelly) April 5, 2020
My *hope* is to direct a new #SouthlandTales prequel film using a hybrid of animation and live-action. This new film could be released in tandem with an expanded version of the existing film with significant new content. #SouthlandNow
— Richard Kelly (@JRichardKelly) April 5, 2020
If it happens… the animated portion of the new film would cover the 2008 events over the three days beginning on June 30th, when Boxer Santaros wakes up in the Nevada desert w/ amnesia… and then embarks on a journey through Las Vegas before returning to LA. #SouthlandNow
— Richard Kelly (@JRichardKelly) April 5, 2020
The live action sections of the new film would bring to life sequences from THE POWER, the bonkers screenplay within-the-film written by Boxer Santaros and Krysta Now. THE POWER takes place in the year 2024 and has significant importance to the story told in 2008. #SouthlandNow
— Richard Kelly (@JRichardKelly) April 5, 2020
The evolution of VFX and animation techniques will *hopefully* allow the complete vision of #SouthlandTales to see the light of day. The script is ready and the assets secured. Thank you to everyone who has supported this film – it will always be my most beloved. #SouthlandNow
— Richard Kelly (@JRichardKelly) April 5, 2020
Kelly even started a hashtag "#SouthlandNow", which I can get behind. Like I said, as a fan of SOUTHLAND TALES and DONNIE DARKO, it's good to hear that Kelly hasn't been sent to movie jail forever after SOUTHLAND TALES and his last theatrically-released film, THE BOX, failed to meet box-office expectations (or the cultural cache of DONNIE DARKO). He's still a talented, creative, and passionate filmmaker, and even if the SOUTHLAND TALES prequel is a total fiasco…it'll still be an interesting and fascinating fiasco worth seeing and talking about.
But what do you guys think? You excited for more SOUTHLAND TALES? Either way, sound off below!
