Just Like Him - A Spec Script
Because Daniel Radcliffe and Elijah Wood asked for it.
Logline:
A literature professor isolates himself to write a novel while a younger look-alike stumbles into the life he left behind.
Blurb
When frustrated professor John Johnson leaves his wife and children for a semester to focus on his writing, his replacement at the university turns out to be Jack Johnson, a cheerful British professor who looks remarkably like him. After Jack moves into John’s guesthouse and becomes part of the family’s daily life, a growing series of mistaken identities leaves John watching another man receive the affection, praise, and place in the community he chose to leave behind.
Genre
Character-driven romantic family comedy-drama in the vein of Crazy, Stupid, Love; This Is 40; and Mrs. Doubtfire.
Cast
Elijah Wood as John Johnson
Daniel Radcliffe as Jack Johnson
Alison Brie as Amber Johnson
EXT. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY / ENGLISH UNIVERSITY - DAY
Upbeat music plays as the credits roll over two university campuses in spring. The sequence cuts back and forth between them.
JOHN JOHNSON, 40s, walks across the American campus.
JACK JOHNSON, 30s, walks across the English campus.
Seen from behind, they’re hard to tell apart. They both walk through campus and go to their offices.
INT. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY / ENGLISH UNIVERSITY - DAY
SPLIT SCREEN:
They both sit behind their desks. Their nameplates are visible in front of them. We see their faces.
John is older, with greying hair. Jack is younger and slightly more muscular. Their faces are strikingly similar, especially around the eyes. They smile. The exact same smile. Uncanny.
TITLE CARD: JUST LIKE HIM
INT. UNIVERSITY CLASSROOM - DAY
John is wrapping up his class. “ENG 213, Creative Writing” is on the board.
JOHN
By the end of the week, the next revision of your pages is due.
The students file out. ETHAN, 20, remains behind, holding a marked-up assignment.
ETHAN
A ‘D’?!
JOHN
I think you can do better.
ETHAN
What do you know?!
JOHN
Your ego is bruised, I get it, but the writing is in the revising.
ETHAN
Have you ever published anything?
JOHN
My doctoral dissertation: Errors of Recognition: Twins and Identity in Shakespeare’s First Comedy
ETHAN
So, no fiction.
JOHN
No.
ETHAN
Well, you know what they say. Those who can’t do, teach.
He stomps out. John stands alone in the empty classroom.
INT. ENGLISH UNIVERSITY FACULTY LOUNGE - DAY
JACK pours coffee while a COLLEAGUE watches a television. Onscreen, AUTHOR, 50s, sits across from a polished HOST.
HOST
Your first novel became an international bestseller. You wrote it while you were a professor?
AUTHOR
Yes. I wrote the first draft between grading essays, then I took a sabbatical to polish it.
JACK
I want to be just like him when I grow up.
COLLEAGUE
You are grown up.
JACK
I don’t feel grown up. Maybe I’ll feel like it when I start a family.
COLLEAGUE
I don’t know about that, just made me feel tired.
CLOSE ON THE TELEVISION
HOST
What’s your new book about?
AUTHOR
A psychological thriller about a man whose life is taken over by an identical clone.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL:
INT. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY FACULTY LOUNGE - DAY
The same interview plays as JOHN eats lunch with PROFESSOR 1.
PROFESSOR 1
It’s the one who escaped.
JOHN
My predecessor.
PROFESSOR 1
You ever meet him?
JOHN
Nope.
PROFESSOR 1
He’s not going to come back here to do a meet-and-greet, he’s too busy sipping Mai Tais on the beach.
The author laughs at something the host says. John sets his sandwich down, stands up, and heads out.
PROFESSOR 1
Where are you going?
JOHN
I have to do something, right now, before I lose my nerve.
He leaves. PROFESSOR 1 watches him go.
INT. UNIVERSITY - DEPARTMENT HEAD’S OFFICE - DAY
DEPARTMENT HEAD is sitting at his desk when John walks in.
DEPARTMENT HEAD
John, come on in. How’s it going?
JOHN
I’ve decided to go on sabbatical.
DEPARTMENT HEAD
You are entitled to one semester off every decade. Are you sure?
JOHN
Yeah, I’m going to finish my novel.
DEPARTMENT HEAD
I’ll be rooting for you. We’ll have to hire a visiting professor to cover your classes.
JOHN
I’ll get you the paperwork by the end of the day.
DEPARTMENT HEAD
You’ll be missed.
INT. ENGLISH UNIVERSITY - CLASSROOM - DAY
Jack is teaching the class. The TA is nearby.
JACK
Your stories are due by midnight. I look forward to reading them.
Students file out of the classroom.
TA
I bet we’re going to get a dozen emails at 11:55 asking questions.
JACK
You’ll have to field those tonight. I’m taking Linda out, I’m finally going to pop the question.
TA
Wow, congrats, man. And good luck.
JACK
Thanks. It would be pretty embarrassing if she said no.
INT. JOHNSON’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - EVENING
The Johnson family is finishing dinner. AMBER (40s) starts clearing plates. KID 1 and KID 2 are sitting at the table with John.
KID 1
Thanks, Mom, that was delicious.
KID 2
Yeah, Mom, you’re the best cook in the whole world.
AMBER
You’re welcome.
JOHN
I need to write.
John gets up and goes out the back door to the detached garage that serves as his writing office.
AMBER
Who wants to do dishes with me?
The kids groan.
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Jack and LINDA sit at a table in a romantic restaurant.
JACK
Linda, I love you.
LINDA
Jack, I love you too. What is up with you today?
Jack gets up, kneels on one knee, and opens a ring box.
JACK
Will you marry me?
She covers her mouth. The other diners react positively.
LINDA
Get up, you’re embarrassing me.
JACK
It’s not embarrassing, it’s romantic.
LINDA
You haven’t heard anything I’ve said about marriage, have you?
JACK
You were serious about that stuff?
LINDA
Yes, I was serious about that stuff! I didn’t do my dissertation on Emma Goldman’s critique of marriage for my health!
JACK
But we love each other.
LINDA
That doesn’t mean we need to get married.
JACK
But we should get married before we have kids.
LINDA
If you want kids, you birth them.
JACK
I would, but I’m missing some key equipment.
LINDA
Hilarious.
Linda throws down her napkin and storms out. The other diners awkwardly pretend not to notice.
INT. JOHNSON’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Amber and John are in their PJs getting ready for bed.
AMBER
I wish you would do the dishes. That was the agreement when we got married. I cook and you clean.
JOHN
I’m busy. And it’s not my fault you use a dozen pots every night. Why can’t you do those one-pot meals?
AMBER
They’re not as good.
JOHN
It’s good enough for Rachael Ray, but it’s not good enough for you?
AMBER
Why are you always so cranky?
JOHN
I’m trying to make something of myself and you keep distracting me.
AMBER
Just because you aren’t a published author yet doesn’t mean you aren’t somebody. You’re somebody to us.
JOHN
That isn’t enough.
AMBER
I don’t understand why the opinion of strangers is more important to you than your loved ones.
JOHN
You wouldn’t understand. You’re fine with our provincial life.
AMBER
I wouldn’t call it provincial. What is this, a Disney movie?
They sit in silence for a moment.
JOHN
I’ve applied for a sabbatical. I’ll take the next semester off, so that I can finally finish my book.
AMBER
Oh.
JOHN
And I need time off from…
AMBER
From what?
JOHN
From this. Marriage, parenting.
AMBER
You’ve already checked out of that.
JOHN
I need zero distractions.
AMBER
What are you saying?
JOHN
I’m moving out.
AMBER
Moving out?! You can’t be serious.
JOHN
I’m sorry, I have to do this.
AMBER
And I’m supposed to just wait for you to come waltzing back in?
JOHN
People travel for work all the time. Think of it like that.
AMBER
But the kids need you, I need you.
JOHN
It’s only temporary.
We pull back through the window.
EXT. JOHNSON’S HOUSE - SPRING NIGHT
The camera settles on the house.
MATCH DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. JOHNSON’S HOUSE - AUTUMN DAY
The house remains framed exactly as before, now surrounded by autumn leaves. Jack arrives with his suitcases. Amber steps outside to greet him.
AMBER
Jack Johnson?
JACK
Yes, ma’am.
AMBER
I’m Mrs. Johnson!
JACK
What a small world!
AMBER
I’ll show you to the place, it’s around back. Fully furnished, it’s small but it works.
JACK
Thank you so much! I’ll only be here for one semester, so there’s no sense in moving all my stuff.
Amber shows him around back and unlocks the door to the unit.
AMBER
It was my husband’s. You look a lot like him, actually. Especially around the eyes.
JACK
Oh, I’m so sorry. Is he no longer with us?
AMBER
Well, he’s not dead, but he’s not here.
JACK
Where is he? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t pry.
AMBER
It’s alright. He’s sequestered himself to write a novel.
JACK
Oh, I’m a writer, too!
AMBER
Oh.
JACK
But I love a distraction!
Amber smiles weakly.
AMBER
Well, let me know if you need anything. There’s a kitchenette, but you’re welcome to come over for dinner.
JACK
Oh my gosh, that’s so generous. Thank you so much.
AMBER
Okay, I’ll see you tonight, then.
Amber leaves, she smiles politely, but her eyes are sad.
INT. JOHN’S APARTMENT - DAY
John’s new apartment is small, empty, and stark white. He sits up in his twin bed despite the clock reading 11:30. He gets up and starts the coffee machine.
He opens the curtains and squints at the too-bright light. He watches the students going to their classes, walking in the courtyard of the campus on this beautiful autumn day.
He gets a mug of coffee and sits at the desk, picks up his pen, and tries to write on a legal pad.
He gets frustrated and throws his pen across the room.
EXT. CAMPUS - FALL DAY
Jack walks briskly through the campus.
STUDENT 1
Hello, Professor Johnson!
JACK
Hello!
STUDENT 2
Welcome back, Professor Johnson!
JACK
Thanks, but this is my first day.
Jack walks along happily. The students look confused.
INT. UNIVERSITY - FACULTY LOUNGE - DAY
Jack walks in and three faculty members greet him.
PROFESSOR 1
Hey, John, what are you doing here?
JACK
Actually, I’m–
PROFESSOR 2
Lookin’ good! Have you been hittin’ the gym?
PROFESSOR 1
You dyed your hair! You look eight years younger!
JACK
Well, that’s because I’m–
PROFESSOR 3
What’s with the British accent? Watching too much BBC?
JACK
I’m actually not John. I’m Jack Johnson, pleasure to meet you.
The professors look confused.
JACK (CONT’D)
Can you point me in the direction of classroom 405? I’ve got a class starting soon. Don’t want to be late on my first day.
The flabbergasted professors point him in the right direction, and he hurries out. Just then, Department Head walks by.
PROFESSOR 1
Hey! Have you seen the new lit professor?
DEPARTMENT HEAD
Not in the flesh, not yet. Why?
PROFESSOR 2
He looks exactly like John!
DEPARTMENT HEAD
No, he doesn’t.
CUT TO:
The faculty members crowd around a laptop.
DEPARTMENT HEAD (CONT’D)
You see, they aren’t that similar.
PROFESSOR 3
Not in a picture like that, but in person it’s uncanny.
PROFESSOR 1
Yeah, it’s the eyes.
PROFESSOR 2
And the facial expressions.
PROFESSOR 3
And the mannerisms!
DEPARTMENT HEAD
I really don’t think it’s that big of a deal.
PROFESSOR 1
You haven’t seen him yet!
PROFESSOR 2
I’m telling you, we’re in a simulation. The computer is reusing models.
PROFESSOR 3
That’s so dumb.
PROFESSOR 1
I don’t know, you might be on to something. Two men who look similar, same profession, only separated by geography.
PROFESSOR 2
Like when there are NPCs in a video game that look the same. They’re saving memory.
PROFESSOR 3
There’s no “they.”
INT. UNIVERSITY - CLASSROOM - DAY
Jack is teaching a class of about 20. On the board: “ENG 453 Special Topics in Literature: Double, Doppelgängers and Mistaken Identity”
JACK
For Friday, read Daphne du Maurier’s The Scapegoat and come prepared to discuss it. While reading, consider whether being a better man gives him the right to take another man’s identity, family, and responsibilities. And don’t think you can get away with watching either of the movies, they both change the ending.
STUDENT 1
Why are you talking with an English accent?
JACK
Well, that would be because I’m English.
STUDENT 2
We know it’s English class, but what’s with your accent?
JACK
I’m from England. I’m the visiting professor this semester.
STUDENT 3
Is this a practical joke?
JACK
Well, if it is, I’m not the one orchestrating it.
INT. JOHNSON’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - EVENING
Jack does dishes while Amber cooks. The kids walk in.
KIDS
Daddy!
The kids run and hug Jack.
JACK
Oh my gosh!
The kids jump back in shock.
KID 1
You’re not our dad!
JACK
Sorry to disappoint.
AMBER
This is Jack, he’s renting the guest house for the semester. Remember, I told you he was moving in today.
KID 2
Do you know how to play Pokemon?
JACK
Do I ever?! Gotta catch ’em all! Do you have Scarlet or Violet?
KID 2
It’s Winds and Waves now.
JACK
I guess they ran out of colors.
Amber smiles as she watches Jack go to the living room to play video games with the kids.
INT. JOHN’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
John microwaves a frozen dinner, spears the meat with a plastic fork, and carries it to the desk.
The wastebasket overflows with crumpled pages. He scribbles, tears off the sheet, crushes it, and throws it onto the pile.
The script ends there, unless I decide to complete it, but for a sneak peek, this is the mid-point vibe.
Script PDF First 13 Pages.
Synopsis (Spoiler Warning)
Author’s Note:
This idea was inspired by this video I came across of Daniel Radliff talking about how he’s mistaken for Elijah Wood. He said he was open to pitches about movie ideas involving the two of them, playing on the look-like aspect. So, this is what I came up with!
And then I saw there was another, more recent video with both of them asking for pitches for movies with them together, playing off the look-alike aspect.
So I spent the last week working on this pitch!
People used to tell me all the time that I reminded them of Kristen Schaal. Like, all. the. time. But then I got fat and that stopped, haha.
This mistaken identity, doubleganger, look-alike, long-lost-twins, storyline has been done a lot. It’s often taken in a thriller direction, but comedy is my thing, so that’s what I wrote. Which was also the topic of Shakepear’s first play, so I feel like I’m in good company.
I’m posting the first 13 pages. I’d be happy to write the rest if anyone is interested. If Daniel and Elijah pass, it could be made with different actors that look alike. Or, I could make it into a novel. But if nobody’s interested in the concept I won’t bother writing the entire thing.
I saw a video about advice for screenwriters trying to break in, and he said to have 2-3 finished scripts and 5-10 concepts. So I’m getting pretty close, I have to finish the Gilmore Girls Episode 2, make a few edits to episode 1, and finish editing my original TV pilot that I’ve been working on, called Magehaven. And I have a few other ideas that I can turn into pitch packages like this with the first handful of pages and a treatment and what-not.
Anyway, thanks everybody for reading! Should I see if I can email this to their agents?
Great script, Darcy! I enjoyed reading it and would love to see it on screen someday.
"KID 1
Thanks, Mom, that was delicious.
KID 2
Yeah, Mom, you’re the best cook in the whole world."
My wife wishes we had such kids! Do they only exist in works of fiction?
"Amber smiles as she watches Jack go to the living room to play video games with the kids."
It's a bit discomforting to have the kids playing with a man who is not their father or relative. Also, if Jack is not a father himself, how did he learn to interact with kids -- did he have younger siblings?