An Oral History of Bryan Fuller’s Amazing Screw-On Head Pilot for SYFY

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As someone who has had the pleasure of being part of the team that brought “The Amazing Screw-On Head” pilot to life back in 2006, I can honestly say it was an unforgettable journey for all of us involved. The process might not have been easy or conventional, but every step of the way was filled with excitement and discovery.

When someone mentions the name “Mike Mignola,” it’s hard not to think of “Hellboy” – and for a good reason. This paranormal investigator with horns resembling devilish ears and an unwavering affection for cigars is indisputably Mignola’s most accomplished and widely-loved comic book character. To illustrate, no fewer than four live-action movies have been produced based on Anung Un Rama, the demon, by three different film companies throughout a period of twenty years.

Currently, an engaging film adaptation of the famed “Crooked Man” narrative by Mignola and Corben is preparing for a broad launch this year. Maybe it’s worthwhile for Hollywood to take a break from Big Red and explore other creations of Mignola’s rich imagination, like Lobster Johnson or today’s topic: The Amazing Screw-On Head.

Introduced to readers back in 2002 by long-term publisher Dark Horse, The Amazing Screw-On Head stands out as a masterpiece of the one-shot comic book genre. With its outrageous creativity and natural humor, this tale about a sentient robot head fighting evil forces for Abraham Lincoln in the late 1800s leaves you craving more stories. This was also the reaction Bryan Fuller, the renowned writer behind Pushing Daisies and Hannibal, experienced when he endeavored to adapt this title into an animated series for SYFY (formerly Sci Fi) in the mid-2000s.

Fuller explained to SYFY Wire during a Zoom interview that The Amazing Screw-On Head held a significant procedural role, acting as a superhero bureaucrat towards Abraham Lincoln in Mignola’s historically inaccurate yet authentic universe.

Sadly, the show, much like other underestimated masterpieces, didn’t quite take off during its initial airing and failed to progress beyond the first episode.

As a longtime fan of Mike Mignola’s intriguing and darkly imaginative comic book universe, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I came across this latest news. The upcoming release of “Falconspeare,” which brings together beloved monster hunters for an exclusive preview, feels like a welcome reunion for me. It’s been a while since we’ve had new content from the mastermind behind Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., and I can hardly wait to see what stories he has in store for us this time.

A Brief Oral History of SYFY’s Amazing Screw-On Head Pilot

The tale of “The Amazing Screw-On Head” briefly graced our small screens with Jason Netter, founder of Kickstart Entertainment, spearheading the project. Netter had a connection to Mark Stern, former head of Original Content at SYFY, following their previous partnership on SYFY’s unsuccessful “Painkiller Jane” series based on Jimmy Palmiotti and Joe Quesada’s comic.

Netter reminisces that everything fell into place naturally and effortlessly, mainly due to existing relationships and passion for the content. We managed to connect with Mike and gauge his enthusiasm for animating this project. Initially, he was cautious, ensuring any adaptation would align creatively with his vision.

As someone who has worked in the toy industry for years, I can relate to the excitement and innovation that comes with brainstorming new ideas. From my own experiences, I know how inspiring it can be to stumble upon an idea while browsing through aisles of toys. In this particular case, it seems that Mike had such an experience when he saw all those action figures and thought about the possibility of interchangeable heads and bodies.

Mignola played an active role in the development of the project from the beginning, working closely with Netter, Fuller, and director Chris Prynoski (co-founder of Titmouse). However, they were all aware that this wasn’t going to be an easy task as the concept was unusual and complex. Additionally, the network had expressed a greater interest in live action programming around that time.

“We tried to make the best version of it that we possibly could,” Prynoski remembers.

Fuller expressed his initial belief that animating was inferior to live action, suggesting a lack of quality or commitment. However, he found that everyone involved in the project approached it with equal importance and dedication.

As a dedicated fan and screenwriter, I can relate to Fuller’s experience when he set out to develop the “Screw-On Head” comic into a captivating television series. The initial comic served as an inspiring foundation, providing us with a rich backdrop to build upon. The absence of extensive mythology made our task more manageable, as everything else was still in its elementary stages.

Netter explained that unlike some previous projects with numerous mythologies and variations spread across 60-70 issues, this concept was uniquely different. He added, “The idea had a strong hook and commercial potential, making it an attractive prospect if we found the right team to help bring it to life.”

Fuller expanded upon the initial concept by introducing numerous new characters, some inspired by individual comic panels, and developing the backgrounds of Screw-On Head and his arch-enemy, the undead Emperor Zombie. The setting is an alternate American landscape during the year 1862. According to Fuller himself, “Combining history with the finest elements of horror genres created a fascinating, extensive playground for me. Merging historical facts with werewolves, vampires, and zombies made learning about history more enticing.”

Prynoski ponders over how unusual yet delightful it is. The feel of timelessness is strong, making it seem unconnected to specific years. It’s reminiscent of a mystical, steampunk-inspired 19th century era. Regardless of when you watch it, the atmosphere remains consistent and unchanged. Unlike dated productions where characters use outdated technology such as Blackberries instead of iPhones.

The pilot director recalls an unexpected delight from Mignola: “I recall our initial encounter with him, and he seemed taken aback, saying something along the lines of, ‘It’s astonishing that anyone would consider developing this further. I can hardly fathom how it could be expanded.’ Yet, he was elated that Bryan was on board. He expressed his surprise once more, admiring Bryan’s ability to expand the concept and make it more comprehensive and coherent.”

According to Pryonisk, Mignola’s main instruction was for the animators to mimic his distinctive artistic approach. I responded, “I will make it resemble the comic as closely as possible.” Many comic styles are intricate and require adaptation for animation. However, Mignola’s artwork has a substantial amount of shadow and contrasting black shapes, which proved advantageous for animation. The flat colors and absence of complex textures made the transition smoother. Essentially, the characters were already simplified in a graphic manner, allowing for easier application of dark shadows in cinematic techniques.

Fuller shares the same feeling: The unique wood-carving texture of certain frames set them apart from comic books at the time. Their distinctive style made me eager to contribute to the project. I saw our adaptation as a heartfelt tribute to his artistry, and I aimed to show him deep respect throughout the process.

The Voice Cast for The Amazing Screw-On Head

The surprising highlight of this project is the top-tier voice actors Fuller managed to secure. Paul Giamatti post-“Sideways” and David Hyde Pierce from “Hellboy” headed the cast as Screw-On Head and Emperor Zombie, respectively. Furthermore, Patton Oswalt, Molly Shannon, Mindy Sterling, and Corey Burton joined in with their talents to complete the ensemble of supporting characters. Fuller shares, “Securing a great voice cast is far more straightforward than finding an in-person cast. We were fortunate enough to land our top picks right from the start.”

“Bryan’s unique voice and Chris’s excellent direction set our project apart. According to Netter, this strong creative team attracted fantastic actors to join us.”

During our recording session, Giamatti entered with a stain on his shirt, as recalled by Prynoski. He expressed concern, asking if there was a bathroom or any place where he could clean up before entering the booth to record with David Hyde Pierce. Feeling self-conscious about his stained shirt and wanting to maintain professionalism, Giamatti considered Pierce to be a serious actor. Hearing this, Prynoski was struck by the realization that Giamatti too, was a genuine actor.

You can check out the infamous stain below…

Fuller found animation intriguing as it allowed him last-minute adjustments unattainable in live action productions. Working alongside Chris Prynoski in the editing room brought him joy. He would suggest modifications such as, “We require a shot that does this,” and within minutes, Prynoski would draw and add it to the project. The process was swift and exciting, despite the limited budget and laid-back atmosphere.

“For him, this was a groundbreaking discovery, leading to fresh perspectives. Working with animation novices on an animated project is intriguing, as certain tasks are more time-consuming. Yet, the rewards come in the form of precise control that’s scarcely found in live-action productions.”

I was pleasantly surprised throughout the entire experience, it wasn’t one of those projects that left me tugging at my hair and longing for its end. In fact, deep down, we all believed we had a chance to make it to series. This optimistic mindset created a positive atmosphere among us, as animation and live-action productions can often feel like harrowing experiences during the process. But when everyone’s enjoying the journey, it makes the ride so much more enjoyable.

In July 2006, the pilot of “The Amazing Screw-On Head,” a project that stayed true to its original content while adding several enhancements, was first introduced on the SYFY website. Accompanying the release was a fan survey, aiming to gauge interest in producing a full series. Regrettably, the venture was ultimately abandoned as SYFY shifted its focus towards live-action projects such as “The Dresden Files,” “Sanctuary,” and “Warehouse 13,” which were being developed at that time.

Unfortunately, Netter shares, the chance to take the project to series slipped away due to the channel’s content plans. “We remain optimistic that circumstances may change,” he adds. “Once we assembled such a talented cast, including Bryan, Chris, and Mignola, there was always the hope for something unique and exciting. Yet, despite our hopes, it never came to pass.”

Details on the “lost” episodes of The Amazing Screw-On Head

If the project had progressed, Fuller would have already planned outlines for three additional episodes if the show was given the go-ahead. The pilot’s conclusion leaves room for further stories, as President Lincoln and Screw-On Head come to an agreement to explore supernatural occurrences west of the Mississippi River under the disguise of The Homestead Act of 1862.

Instead of “It wasn’t like scripts were written,” you could say “Scripts weren’t the format we used.” Or, “We didn’t follow a traditional scripting process.”

As a longtime fan of science fiction and fantasy shows, I can’t help but be excited about the prospect of new episode ideas for my favorite series. But what were those other concepts that the creators had in mind, you ask? Well, let me tell you, based on my own experiences as a devoted viewer and avid speculator, it’s not every day that we get an exclusive glimpse into the minds of the people behind the scenes. SYFY WIRE‘s revealing scoop is like opening a treasure chest filled with intriguing possibilities for the stories yet to unfold!

“The White Men Must Be Crazy” — in which Screw-On Head finds himself mixed up with the Sioux Uprising of 1862.

“The Frog President” —  in which Former President William Henry Harrison is still alive and plans to rule the country forever with an army of evil frogmen.

being undead as the next stage of evolution, explained to Charles Darwin” could be:

Eighteen years have passed since the production of that little-known pilot (feel free to check it out on DVD for a unique viewing experience). Despite moving on to various other projects, the original team members harbor a persistent hope for another opportunity to bring this quirky intellectual property to life. “I’ll jump back on board if anyone decides to revive it,” Prynoski promises.

Netter expresses his hope that this article will attract both longtime fans and newcomers to the pilot, creating a buzz among them. He adds, “I can only wish for lively discussions and growing enthusiasm. If we manage to catch the attention of potential buyers in the future, we’d be able to share the excitement of our dedicated fan base.”

Fuller expresses his desire for the comic “Amazing Screw-On Head” to be transformed into a live-action movie, inspired by the first two “Hellboy” films directed by Guillermo del Toro. Del Toro’s intricately designed worlds have left a significant impact on the genre, remarks Fuller. He shares his eagerness to create a live action narrative for this comic but is uncertain about securing the necessary funding.

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2024-07-19 20:18