Upcoming Projects
The dark knight Returns
The Dark Knight Returns is an epic fan film based on the corresponding comic, by Frank Miller. Written, directed, photographed, starring and edited by Wyatt Weed, the film represents a labor of love 30 years in the making.
Wyatt Weed first read Miller's ground-breaking comic series when it was released in 1986. He was immediately struck by the socially relevant storyline and serious take on superheros in a "real" world setting, as well as the depiction of how society would react to vigilante justice.
Weed could envision the comic series as a film, but in 1986 options were limited - digital video wasn't yet available, and being only 21, Weed couldn't realistically play the character of Bruce Wayne/Batman, portrayed in the series as 55 years old, retired from the superhero life, and very bitter. Production of any type of film would have been very difficult - and expensive - at that time.
Fast-forward to 2014. Weed was just finishing up his second feature film, Four Color Eulogy, when he decided the time had finally come to make a fan-film version of The Dark Knight. He was now a partner in the production company Pirate Pictures, had access to crew, actors, and equipment, was more experienced, and more importantly, was now 50 years old.
The script was written in November of 2014, and pre-production began in April of 2015. The first scene was shot in June, and photography continued through May of 2016, for a total of 18 days of principal, with several days of pick-up shots and miniatures. In addition to Weed, the film co-stars Rick McGougan and John Contini, and features Bill Finkbiner, Sean Smith, Ava Osthus, Maya Tunstall, Jason Contini, Brock Roberts, Catherine Dudley-Rose, Mike Dowdy, Taylor Peitz, Nathan Contini, Amber Eslow, Jessica Winingham, Reggie Reese, Oliver Sparton, Sebastian Lee, Keith Nussbaum, Skully Shemwell, Scott Stoltz, Nicholas J. Hearne, and Joe Hammerstone.
Locations utilized in the St. Louis area included The Missouri Athletic Club, Barnett On Washigton, The OPO in St. Charles, St. Charles City Hall, Crestwood Plaza, Gateway Motorsports Park, Lindenwood University, The Lake St. Louis Police Station, and Little O's Old Time Soda Fountain.
Recent Projects
Four Color Eulogy
Growing up the only child of a single mother, aspiring comic book creator Chris escaped St. Louis 10 years ago and moved to Portland with his girlfriend Anne, forging a new life for himself. But when Chris learns that his mother is ill, he and Anne have no choice but to pack up their lives and move back home. Uprooted, his life completely disrupted, Chris is forced to face his mother's mortality and that nagging old childhood question: Who was his father, and why wasn't he around?
With the help of his childhood buddy Brian, a pop culture geek, and family friend/mentor Rich, a bartender with a creative secret, Chris will have to determine what is more important: The hero's origin, or his ongoing journey?
"Four Color Eulogy" is a dramatic comedy that shows it’s never too late to let go of the past and it’s never a good time to laugh at death…even when it’s funny.
The creation of Four Color Eulogy began when father John Contini and son Jason Contini, both actors and writers, combined their story ideas, one a stage play about a bar owner, and the other a film script about a writer finding his way. Director Wyatt Weed also contributed to the screenplay, as did co-star Nicholas J. Hearne. Pirate Pictures and Archlight Studios then joined forces on the production, which was shot over the summer of 2014 in and around St. Louis.
The film enjoyed a sold-out screening at The St. Louis International Film Festival and a successful limited engagement at Werhenberg Theaters in April of 2016, and will be released in more theaters and on DVD later in the year.
shadowland
A thrilling new vision of classic vampire lore, Shadowland opens in modern day North America, where construction workers uncover an old stone cross and a mysterious wooden stake. They remove the artifacts from the ground, allowing Laura (Caitlin McIntosh), a beautiful vampire, to awaken from a century of slumber.
As Laura attempts to make sense of the strange new world around her, she begins to remember her human life and a mysterious lover (Carlos Antonio León) with secrets of his own. Soon a dangerous vampire hunter (Jason Contini) begins tracking Laura, but as he closes in for the kill he learns that things may not be what they seem.
Filmed in St. louis in 2007, Shadowland was Wyatt Weed's first feature after having acted as a producer, 2nd unit director, writer, and editor on other television and feature projects. Completed in late 2008, Shadowland screened at over 20 film festivals world-wide, winning awards for Best Feature, Best Cinematography, Best Acting, and Visual Effects. After a successful theatrical release through Landmark Theaters, Shadowland was released on DVD and digital media in 2010.