I am a huge The Lost Boys fan girl. I’ve watched the movie over a thousand times, watched the (terrible) sequels many times, read the script for the film and the script for the prequel that was never made (I’m just missing the Frog Brothers comic set and that book). It’s never been made into a show, though it’s been tried a few times (even recently just a few years ago). So, one day, I decided to sit down and start plotting out a show, and ended up writing the first two episodes and outlining the first two season. Yes, I’m that obsessed!
This was like, 12-13 years ago, but I was recently watching the movie again, and remembered. Digging around, I found it, edited a bit, and decided to put it out on my Substack for fun.
Some pieces take right from the film, but most is new, and there are some new characters, and some is updated for the modern times we’re in. So, here’s Act I of the pilot episode! (fyi it’s not totally formatted right for a script though since Substack doesn’t allow it)
ACT I
EXT. BOARDWALK - NIGHT
A seaside boardwalk is lit up and busy. People walk around the shops and restaurants, and a small amusement park is full of kids.
On the carousel house is a couple, GREG (17) and SHELLY (17). They look like typical California surfer kids with deep tans, blond hair, and are in bathing suits.
A group of 4 teenage boys get on the carousel and walk the opposite way it's moving. MARCO (17), tall and blond with a little boy face; PAUL (18), muscular with slicked back black hair and lots of tattoos in Chinese (his heritage); DWAYNE (18), a model-build and face with long dark hair and skin; and DAVID (18), lanky with short bleached white hair and icy eyes. David’s clearly the leader of the 4, and there’s a hint of danger among them.
They pass by Greg and Shelly. Greg sneers at them while Shelly smiles at David, who smiles back. Greg grabs him by the arm.
GREG
What’re you looking at?
DAVID
Excuse me?
GREG
Don’t look at my girlfriend.
DAVID
To be fair, she looked at me first.
GREG
Don’t be smart with me, David.
DAVID
Greg, I’d never do that. It’d go right over your head.
Marco, Paul, and Dwayne snicker. Enraged, Greg stands nose-to-nose with David.
GREG
You wanna say that again?
DAVID
Are you deaf in addition to dumb now?
Shelly gasps at the insult. Three more teenage boys father behind her, on their side. BRANDON (17), LUKE (16), and SKYLAR (17), all surfer dudes. David glances at them.
DAVID
Here’s the band.
GREG
You’ve got 5 seconds to get off this ride.
DAVID
Or?
GREG
One.
DAVID
Can you count to five?
GREG
Two.
DAVID
You’ve got it so far.
GREG
Three.
DAVID
Four, five!
Greg pulls back a fist to punch David, but it’s held back by a large, burly security guard. At least a foot taller than everyone else and built like a linebacker, he squeezes Greg’s hand, making him squeal, and steps between him and David.
GUARD
There won’t be any fighting tonight boys. All of you, go now.
GREG
But they were -
GUARD
I don’t care what you have to say. Get your Surf Nazi ass outta here, and take your gang with you.
Stung, Greg snatches Shelly up and leaves with his 3 friends. Marco, Paul, and Dwayne wave goodbye and make kissy noises. The guard glares at them.
GUARD
I thought I forbade any Lost Boys from coming to this park the last time I saw you.
DAVID
Guess we forgot.
GUARD
Forgot my ass. I see you here again, I’m having you all arrested. Get out.
Marco, Paul, and Dwayne move. David remains a moment, his eyes glowing with anger and threat at the guard.
DAVID
Have a nice night.
He follows after his friends, who laugh like hyenas.
EXT. PARKING LOT - LATER
The security guard is walking to his truck. He stops to put the key in the lock and hears a hiss behind him. He whirls around, but nothing’s there.
He hears a swoosh behind him. He turns back around and sees nothing. He shakes his head and turns the key in he lock.
Suddenly, he’s grabbed by the shoulders and flies upward into the sky.
EXT. BEACH - DAWN
The sun is just beginning to crack above the ocean. Soft waves crash into the empty beach. Seagulls walk together along the shore. The security guard’s corpse drops from above onto the sand, his body bloodless and skin white. The seagulls fly away squealing.
EXT. ABUELO’S HOUSE - DRIVEWAY MORNING
Abuelo’s house, an old home in an isolated area with a large yard and driveway that pulls up to the front steps of the house and around the side to the garage. A packed SUV pulls up and stops in front of the house, and a motorcycle pulls up behind it.
Out of the car steps LUCY LOPEZ (39), short with dark curly hair, soft features, and a gentle demeanor. She’s joined by her son, SAM (13), a sweet innocent kid who has the same tan skin, dark hair, and dark eyes of his mother.
Off of the bike comes MICHAEL (16), a good-looking kid whose light eyes come from his father. He’s one of those kids who take on too much responsibility for their age and it wears in his expressions.
They walk up the steps and find Lucy’s dad, ABUELO (60), lying on the porch. He’s got shaggy gray hair and looks like a hippie (so Cheech).
SAM
Is he dead?
Lucy kneels down beside Abuelo.
LUCY
Papa?
SAM
If he’s dead, can we go back to Phoenix?
Abuelo opens his eyes, a childish grin on his face.
ABUELO
Playin’ dead, and from what I hear, doin’ a damn good job at it.
He gets up and hugs Lucy and the boys.
ABUELO
Welcome to Santa Carla, mijos, your new home!
SAM
(unenthusiastically)
Great, woo, I’m jumping for joy.
Michael hits him on the head.
MICHAEL
Don’t mind him, Abuelo, I think he left his manners back in Arizona.
Abuelo puts his arm on Sam’s shoulder.
ABUELO
Don’t worry mijo. You’ll make friends fast, I’m sure of it.
SAM
I read online that Santa Carla has the most murders in the state of California.
ABUELO
It comes and goes.
SAM
Comes and goes?
LUCY
Okay, enough of that, let’s get everything unloaded, and will you please get Nanook?
Sam and Michael go to the SUV.
ABUELO
You got the perro?
LUCY
Of course, why would Craig have taken him?
ABUELO
Because the pendejo took everything else.
LUCY
Dad.
ABUELO
He better be housebroken.
LUCY
He’s not a puppy anymore, Dad.
Sam walks up with NANOOK on a leash, a Siberian husky dog.
ABUELO
Whoa, he really isn’t.
Nanook starts licking at Abuelo’s hands. He pulls them away.
ABUELO
Hey, my hands aren’t food, perro.
Michael walks up behind Sam, holding a box, and leans into Sam’s ear.
MICHAEL
(whispers)
It’s probably the pot on his hands. Think dog’s can get stoned?
Sam stifles a laugh. Nanook pulls him toward the lawn.
LUCY
Take him to do his business and then bring him inside and feed him, okay Sam?
Sam nods and goes with the dog.
LUCY
Come on Papa, help me and Michael unload the car.
ABUELO
Me? Pero soy viejo (but I’m old).
INT ABUELO’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM LATER
Sam takes Nanook inside. The living room has an old couch and two old chairs, no coffee table or TV. A giant stuffed beaver sits on the fireplace mantle. Sam glances at it and shudders.
SAM
I always hated that thing.
He walks into the kitchen, adjacent to the living room. The cabinets are peeling white, and the countertops are white tiles. It’s a big room though, with a large island and big kitchen table. Michael’s unloading his weights in there.
SAM
Where’s Nanook’s food?
MICHAEL
In the box labeled, ‘Nanook’s food’.
There’s a box on the counter with ‘NANOOK’S FOOD’ written on it in black magic market. Sam gives Michael the finger and opens the box.
SAM
How am I supposed to survive without the internet? Can we convince grandpa to get it installed out here? How does he not even have a TV? What am I supposed to do here? I’m so bored already.
MICHAEL
Sammy, we’re flat broke. Enough with the whining. No one’s happy about this situation, and you’re just making mom feel bad. So shut up.
SAM
Fine.
He sets Nanook’s bowl on the floor and the dog eats. Lucy and Abuelo come in with more boxes.
LUCY
That’s the last of it.
ABUELO
Thank God, I thought I was gonna throw out my back.
LUCY
Dad, you’re not THAT old.
ABUELO
You wait ‘til you’re my age.
Lucy shakes her head and takes one of the boxes out of the kitchen. Sam notices a door in the kitchen and goes for it.
SAM
You know, I wondered what was down here the last time we were here and -
Abuelo darts in front of him and stops him from opening the door.
ABUELO
THAT is the basement. That’s MY space. Rule number one - stay outta the basement.
He gives them a stern look before leaving the kitchen.
MICHAEL
He stuffs the animals down there.
SAM
Really?
MICHAEL
I went down there once when I was ten. Scared the crap out of me. Trust me, you don’t wanna go down there.
SAM
Noted. I thought you were gonna say that’s where he grows his pot.
MICHAEL
That too.
SAM
It’s weird he still grows it when he can just buy it legally now.
MICHAEL
Maybe it’s an old person thing.
INT. ABUELO’S HOUSE - SAM’S BEDROOM LATER
Several boxes are on the floor, a few open. A Diamondbacks blanket is on the twin bed, and some posters have been put up on the wall. Sam’s finishing putting his clothes away in the closet. He puts another box on the bed and opens it, revealing it’s full of comics. Michael knocks on the door.
MICHAEL
Knock, knock.
SAM
Who’s there?
MICHAEL
Ha, ha.
SAM
Ha ha who?
MICHAEL
I wasn’t making a joke.
SAM
I don’t get it.
Michael sits with him on the bed.
MICHAEL
Where’re you gonna put those?
Sam shrugs and closes the lid. Michael puts an arm around him.
MICHAEL
It’s okay to be sad, or pissed, or whatever with him.
SAM
I’m not.
MICHAEL
I’m just saying.
SAM
I miss him.
(beat)
You don’t, do you?
MICHAEL
No. But it’s okay for you to.
SAM
You hate him.
MICHAEL
No.
(beat)
A little.
SAM
Do you think Mom does?
MICHAEL
I think she’s got too much to do and think about to put any feelings toward him.
SAM
Yeah, I guess. So, you finished unpacking already?
MICHAEL
I’m faster than Superman.
Lucy comes in with another box for Sam.
LUCY
This was downstairs.
SAM
Thanks Mom.
LUCY
So, how’re you two holding up?
MICHAEL
We’re doing just fine, aren’t we, Sam?”
SAM
Yeah, doing just fine.
LUCY
You don’t have to lie to me, but I appreciate the sentiment. I know this isn’t ideal, and the last year has been hard on the both of you, with everything with your father. But I really think this could be the fresh start we all need. Just give it time.
MICHAEL
Don’t worry about us, Mom.
LUCY
Michael, I'll always worry about you, even when you’re 80, but especially at 16. I know the trouble I got into at your age.
MICHAEL
I promise to behave myself, and if I don’t, I’ll hide it really well.
LUCY
Thanks for the consideration. So, are you guys excited or nervous about school tomorrow?
MICHAEL
Nah.
SAM
I am.
LUCY
First day of high school, I’m not surprised.
MICHAEL
Hey, we’ll be together, it won’t be so bad.
SAM
You’re a junior and I’m a freshman, we have no classes or lunch together. I’m gonna be alone. And I haven’t had my growth spurt yet.
LUCY
Sam, everyone matures at different times.
MICHAEL
Yeah, and if you’re worried about gym, just don’t look at anyone else in the shower. And don’t drop the soap.
SAM
That’s prison.
MICHAEL
And high school.
Sam looks mortified. Michael starts laughing.
LUCY
Don’t listen to your brother, Sam. He’s just trying to scare you.
SAM
It’s working.
MICHAEL
Relax Sam, you’ll be fine.
SAM
Can I get that in writing?
Abuelo comes in, holding something behind his back.
ABUELO
There you all are! I thought you high-tailed it back to Arizona.
LUCY
Dad, what’s that?
Abuelo presents Sam with a stuffed squirrel.
ABUELO
Ta da!
SAM
Um, a squirrel?
ABUELO
Just for you. To make you feel at home.
Sam takes the squirrel and stares at its face, horrified.
SAM
Thanks?
ABUELO
Don’t mention it. I left one for you in your room too, Michael.
MICHAEL
Gee, thanks.
LUCY
Papa, you really shouldn’t have.
ABUELO
So, what’s on tap for tonight? A little Scrabble?
MICHAEL
How dangerous.
LUCY
I think they’ve had enough for today.
ABUELO
Oh come on, this is their last night of freedom before school starts. You know, I heard they’re having a concert on the boardwalk tonight.
SAM
Really? Can we go>
LUCY
I don’t know, Sam, it’s a school night.
SAM
Please? Pretty please, with sugar on top and an extra cherry?
LUCY
(chuckles)
Fine. Get your jackets. But we’re not staying out late.
SAM
Yes Ma’am.
LUCY
Dad, you wanna join us?
ABUELO
Nah, I’m working on a project for the Widow Johnson.
He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.
MICHAEL
Abuelo’s got a girlfriend, nice.
SAM
You date? You’re not too old for that?
END ACT I