Fix Four

As a writer and a big fan of compelling stories, there's nothing quite like a good 'fix-it fic' – those wonderful fan creations that reimagine beloved tales, especially when a film adaptation just doesn't hit the mark. It's truly an art form to take something you love and say, 'Here's how I'd make it even better!' For me, one of those stories has always been I Am Number Four. The novel was fantastic, brimming with potential, but the film adaptation from 2011, while visually appealing in parts, left many of us wanting more. It felt like a condensed version that didn't quite capture the depth or the pacing of the book. We were introduced to John (or Four), an alien living among us, hunted by others, but the film struggled to develop his emotional journey and the rich lore of the Garde and Mogadorians fully. One of the biggest issues I noticed, and something echoed in the general fan sentiment, was the casting of the lead. While Alex Pettyfer is a talented actor, his portrayal often gave off a more mature vibe, making the 'teenager character' feel, as some famously put it, like he 'LOOKEDIAMFORTY'. This age discrepancy can really pull you out of the story, especially when the narrative is about young aliens discovering their powers and identity. How do you fix that? My ultimate fix for the I Am Number Four movie would be to dive headfirst into what made Smallville so successful. And no surprise there, considering the original screenwriters for the 'I Am Number Four' film, Miles Millar and Alfred Gough, were also the brilliant minds behind Smallville! It makes perfect sense to leverage their talent for long-form storytelling. Imagine a series, not just a single movie, allowing the characters to breathe, grow, and explore their powers over several seasons. This approach would allow us to truly understand the burden of being Number Four – the constant fear, the bonds with his protectors, and the slow, painful discovery of his heritage. We could expand on the alien identity, the human connections John makes, and the desperate fight for survival against the Mogadorians. It would be a chance to build the world, not just rush through it. And speaking of Smallville, if I were remaking this, I'd bring in some of that magic. The OCR mentioned Michael Rosenbaum, and honestly, that's a genius idea! Michael Rosenbaum is a phenomenal actor with incredible range. Imagine him in a pivotal role – perhaps a more complex, sympathetic Mogadorian leader, a grizzled elder Garde, or even a nuanced human ally. His presence alone could elevate the entire production, bringing the same depth and charisma he brought to Lex Luthor. Casting him in anything would certainly be a step towards a FIC:FIXED version of I Am Number Four. A remake with this kind of vision, embracing the serialized nature and focusing on rich character development like Smallville did, would undoubtedly give us the I Am Number Four adaptation we truly deserve. It's not just about correcting past mistakes; it's about unlocking the full potential of a captivating story.