Stories by @nathanbates

Almost Cast: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Rape, torture, fire, animals, religion. Am I missing anything?

67th Academy Awards

forrest gump

The Grifters

A small-time conman has torn loyalties between his estranged mother and new girlfriend, both of whom are high-stakes grifters with their own angles to play.

80th Academy Awards

Yeah, I’m stealing this idea.

Casting Call: The Sandman

“Y’know, comic book fans just love to think that whatever entertains them would entertain everyone else.”

Dead Man (2025)

Every night and every morn, some to misery are born. Every morn and every night, some are born to sweet delight. Some are born to sweet delight. Some are born to endless night.

Almost Cast: Interview with the Vampire

I'm going to give you the role I never had.

Almost Cast: The Exorcist

the power of cast compels you!

A Crime Tale

In the late 1950’s, two men - one a police detective and the other a private investigator - pool their resources in order to catch a killer.

Almost Cast Counterparts: Tim Burton’s Penguin

I am not a human being! I am an animal!

KEN

After realizing that he is kenough, Ken embarks on a journey of goodwill to the far corners of Barbieland and beyond.

Alien Resurrection (2024)

The Alien movie that time forgot.

The Avengers

Idk, I’ve never really done one of these for Marvel characters so here’s just a bunch of stabs in the dark. Apologies for unintentionally stealing anyone else’s suggestions but I literally cannot keep up with how many of these there are already.

Batman: Caped Crusader

After a family tragedy, socialite Bruce Wayne transforms into The Batman, where his crusade for justice spawns unforeseen ramifications.

Nick Cave’s Gladiator II (2006)

After waking up in purgatory, Maximus meets the dying Roman gods who agree to reunite him with his family in exchange for going back to the world of the living and killing the followers of Christ.

Eyes of Laura Mars (2024)

Suddenly Laura Mars can see through the eyes of a serial killer as he commits his crimes. She contacts the police and with the aid of a police detective, tries to stop the killer. But first, they have to figure out who it is.

The Man with the Golden Dream

It’s Oscar night in Hollywood and among the attendees is none other than oddball character actor turned amateur detective Sammy Lucas – here to present the award for Best Original Screenplay. Lucas was hoping to spend the night meeting his filmmaking heroes, but when the host turns up dead backstage(!), Sammy is not only tasked with catching the culprit, but in order to not derail the festivities he must also step in as host and keep the show going!

Batman Forever (2025)

holey rusted metal batman!

Almost Cast: Boogie Nights

jack says you got a great big cock

Crimson Peak (1995)

comfort film