Random story idea
Four (and a half?) travelers on a trip from Bangkok to Sydney:
1. An elderly and wealthy businessman from the tin industry who was in Bangkok on vacation, was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and is going to Australia to see a specialist recommended by a friend.
2. A young Thai cardiologist, accompanying the businessman because he was headed to Sydney anyway for a conference and also has to pick up some pathology specimens for a neurosurgeon friend. Maybe called the Thai translation of Dr. Crane for an obscure reference.
3. A ne'er-do-well who won the lottery and is taking a big tour of the world, looking for the courage to propose to his girlfriend, even though he knows that she's just after the money. He hears that the Australians have a thing for the liquid variety.
4. A young girl from Kansas, just trying to get home, but all of the more sensible flights to the US (i.e. Shanghai, Tokyo) are sold out, and the airline offers to send her on a slightly less direct trip in business class. The girl could also be somewhat older and Toto (Thomas Torvindal or something) could be a baby. Either that or Toto is a dog, on the plane but not in the passenger cabin. Alternatively, Dorothy is a Hiltonesque ditz with a chihuahua.
I'll have to reread the original for actual plot and events to make reference to, but some ideas on an overall story:
Serious:
Plane is held hostage by terrorists who just want ransom (they got on the plane to assassinate some undercover CIA guy) or have some beef with the political situation in Thailand and have demands or simply want some of the King's money to their revolutionary or otherwise zealous cause (otherwise the Emerald Buddha gets it, 9/11 style). Could vary from the Thai version of "Let's roll" (told by an American so that I don't have to learn that much Thai) to just a standard "we got hijacked no heroism" story (botched rescue attempt optional).
Can also be heavily subverted: Ditz Dorothy could find a brain, the cowardly lion a heart and spend his fortune in philanthropy, the tin man could find courage facing down the hijackers (assuming no crash and burn), and the cardiologist go and visit Kansas.
Possibly serious, possibly silly:
Standard "airplane crash" scenario. Drama from the Tin Man's worsening heart condition is available. Toto-as-a-dog can die and Dorothy can go and do what people do.
A little silly:
Mostly faithful retelling of the original. Would need a wizard.
Very Silly:
Snakes on a Plane II: Monkeys on a plane!
1. An elderly and wealthy businessman from the tin industry who was in Bangkok on vacation, was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and is going to Australia to see a specialist recommended by a friend.
2. A young Thai cardiologist, accompanying the businessman because he was headed to Sydney anyway for a conference and also has to pick up some pathology specimens for a neurosurgeon friend. Maybe called the Thai translation of Dr. Crane for an obscure reference.
3. A ne'er-do-well who won the lottery and is taking a big tour of the world, looking for the courage to propose to his girlfriend, even though he knows that she's just after the money. He hears that the Australians have a thing for the liquid variety.
4. A young girl from Kansas, just trying to get home, but all of the more sensible flights to the US (i.e. Shanghai, Tokyo) are sold out, and the airline offers to send her on a slightly less direct trip in business class. The girl could also be somewhat older and Toto (Thomas Torvindal or something) could be a baby. Either that or Toto is a dog, on the plane but not in the passenger cabin. Alternatively, Dorothy is a Hiltonesque ditz with a chihuahua.
I'll have to reread the original for actual plot and events to make reference to, but some ideas on an overall story:
Serious:
Plane is held hostage by terrorists who just want ransom (they got on the plane to assassinate some undercover CIA guy) or have some beef with the political situation in Thailand and have demands or simply want some of the King's money to their revolutionary or otherwise zealous cause (otherwise the Emerald Buddha gets it, 9/11 style). Could vary from the Thai version of "Let's roll" (told by an American so that I don't have to learn that much Thai) to just a standard "we got hijacked no heroism" story (botched rescue attempt optional).
Can also be heavily subverted: Ditz Dorothy could find a brain, the cowardly lion a heart and spend his fortune in philanthropy, the tin man could find courage facing down the hijackers (assuming no crash and burn), and the cardiologist go and visit Kansas.
Possibly serious, possibly silly:
Standard "airplane crash" scenario. Drama from the Tin Man's worsening heart condition is available. Toto-as-a-dog can die and Dorothy can go and do what people do.
A little silly:
Mostly faithful retelling of the original. Would need a wizard.
Very Silly:
Snakes on a Plane II: Monkeys on a plane!