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Somewhere in Time Sequel History

1996
An early version of my story was sent to the major players of SIT (writer Richard Matheson, producer Stephen Simon, director Jeannot Szwarc, Christopher Reeve, and Jane Seymour) in November of 1996.

"There is no way Universal would ever want to do a sequel." was the feedback I received. I understood why they felt that way. If you know the background behind the movie, then you know it's a miracle that SIT even got made to begin with. But I really believed in the project, and so I persevered, believing that Universal was the hurdle that would have to be overcome.

1997
At Richard Matheson's suggestion, my story was serialized over the 1997 year in the fan club newsletter, beginning in the first quarter issue. Universal became aware of my project absolutely no later than July 1997 when they contacted the Mackinac Island Town Crier about an article in the Town Crier entitled "Movie Fan Writes Sequel to Somewhere In Time".

In October of 1997, Memoirs of Elise was expanded, refined, and published in book form.

1998
In September of 1998 Universal's CEO, Edgar Bronfman, Jr., gave my book to Universal's head of production, Stacey Snider, to review. In October 1998 Ms. Snider responded citing reasons why she didn't think "pursuing this version of a sequel" made sense for them at this time. (Read the "reasons" in THE MACKINAC ISLAND TOWN CRIER, AUGUST 19, 2000 from the "Articles" link on the main page.) Stephen Simon, however, assured me that what the letter was really saying was "they don't believe there is an audience for a sequel." Believing that, I decided to conduct a sequel campaign.

The sequel campaign was conducted from November 1998 through February of 1999. I would love to know the exact number of letters we sent to Universal, but my best guess is between 5000-10,000, with the help of Dr. Quinn fans, Reeve fans, etc.

1999
On May 20, 1999 in an online Yahoo Chat Jane Seymour was asked:

Q: Do you think you'll ever do a sequel to Somewhere in Time?

A: Universal has contacted us and I believe they are trying to find some way of capitalizing on that movie. And I have said that if a good script comes along, I would be willing to do it.

In May 1999, Universal contacted Richard Matheson about writing a sequel. Mr. Matheson declined.

The next day I sent a letter asking Universal to allow me to express information that I felt was vital to the success of the film in person. In August 1999 Universal Pictures wrote me saying that they were "in the process of making a direct-to-video sequel to the Film [Somewhere in Time]" and stated that their position had not changed on using my work.

Believing that Universal intended to put no real effort into their sequel, but rather intended to "throw" something in a video box, capitalizing on the original film's reputation, I set out to try to achieve the following goal: that the film sequel to SOMEWHERE IN TIME be a credit to the original film, to Mackinac Island, and to Grand Hotel.

To try to achieve this goal, my company (Mackinac Island Film Company) acquired exclusive rights to the production facilities here. I then approached Universal's top level executives, asking them if they would be willing to do any of the following:

  • 1) Assemble the original cast and crew and give them creative control.
  • 2) Allow MIFC to assume the financial risk and to produce the film.
  • 3) Sell MIFC the rights to SOMEWHERE IN TIME (The "Film").

    • Universal was not interested.

    In a letter to me dated September 7th, 1999, Christopher Reeve stated: "Unfortunately there are no plans to make a sequel to Somewhere in Time, although there has been some talk of a theatrical re-release."

    In November I received another letter from Universal — a follow up of what they had already told me in August/September 1999, when they declined the offer for Mackinac Island Film Company to assemble the original cast and crew and assume production and financial risk for a sequel/prequel to SIT. Their wording, however, had changed FROM: "Universal is currently in the process of making a direct-to-video sequel to the film," to "Universal has in development a follow-up to Somewhere in Time".

    2000
    In January approximately 11 million viewers tuned into the MICHIGAN MAGAZINE TV show to hear about MEMOIRS OF ELISE. The segment was very informative, very entertaining — a mini-movie! Wonderful shots of the Island and filming locations, and very accurately represented my heart for the project. (Read portions of the program by clicking on the "Articles" link from the main page.)

    Hollywood does limited re-release of Somewhere in Time in select theaters. As few as 2-4 people show up at some showings. (THE FANS ASKED FOR A SEQUEL!)

    2001
    During Valentine's week, copies of Memoirs of Elise auction on eBay for $200 to $280 a copy. That same week, Universal registers "www.somewhereintime2.com".

    2002
    Slew of time travel movies hit the theaters.

    A Final Thought
    There was a guy by the name of Plank, who got a crazy idea. He wanted to build a hotel on a little island way up north in the middle of nowhere. Everyone thought he was crazy, and of course, he was. The population of northern Michigan in 1885 couldn't fill a room, let alone a Grand Hotel... well, you know the rest of the story.

    IT COULDN'T BE DONE 

    Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
  But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
  Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
  On his face. If he worried he hid It.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
  That couldn't be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
  At least no one ever has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
  And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and bit of a grin,
  Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
  That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
  There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
  The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
  Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
  That "cannot be done," and you'll do it.

-Edgar A. Guest
(C) 1934 by Edgar A. Guest.
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