Dear Mr. Johns,

My name is Christopher Buchanan, I’m a seventeen year old incoming freshman to the UCLA film school, and one day I’m going to write for DC Comics. Now the last thing I want is for this letter is to sound cocky, because the chances that you’re actually reading this are slim as it stands. If my goal was to be arrogant, I’d come right out and say, “Listen man, I’ve got over 30,000$ in both comic book and student loan debt. Give me Affleck and Jeremy Irons and let me do an entirely new take: a grizzled Alfred as the caped crusader and call it The Dark Butler Returns.” That’s the last thing I want to shoot for, as I’m sure you receive thousands of these pleas a day. My motive behind writing this is that I was inspired by you and your story. Everyone needs to starts somewhere and I’m not asking for a job. I’m not asking for the keys to the kingdom. The only thing I’m asking is that you hear me out.

You’ve probably gotten requests from self-proclaimed DC gurus for jobs and I can guarantee that there are fifty year old men who have forgotten more about the history of the DC multiverse than my brain can contain. If the criteria for opportunity was solely based on who’s the biggest nerd, there are thousands of individuals who are much more qualified than I. But, Mr. Johns, what I do have is a passion for storytelling, the characters in the DC Universe and the infinite possibilities of where they could travel cinematically. This is a pitch you probably know by heart at this point. But what you didn’t know is I’m actually a direct descendent of Bob Kane and therefore you are legally required to give me a job. That’s a lie. To be honest, I’m not sure what I could tell you that you haven’t already heard or that you wouldn’t discard as just another fan. But I love these characters and the deepest corners of their personality that the average reader wouldn’t recognize. Superman’s internal battle with himself, wondering if the world would be better if he had never shown up. Lex Luthor’s egotistical fear of an alien taking the spotlight from himself and threatening humanity. And Batman… I’m drawing a blank. Didn’t his uncle die or something? Obviously I can’t analyze every character in the universe but I think you get my point.

I remember listening to your talk with Kevin Smith and how you literally cold called Richard Donner’s office and got an internship. He didn’t know who you were or your qualifications; he just took a chance on you. But you had the initiative to ask and I guess that’s what I’m doing. In an age of technology (and hidden contact information), this is my cold call. Honestly, I will run around Warner Bros, cleaning up after Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, but you have my word I will do it with pride and determination. Because, as corny as it sounds, it’s my dream and I’ll do anything to prove I’m not just some dreamer. Because I don’t want to immediately get the keys to DC’s greatest treasures. I want to learn and be taught so that one day, when I do handle these characters, I’ll do it with the respect and care they deserve. All I need is just one chance.

Lately, I’ve been finding myself wishing I was older. Not so that I can do “big boy things,” but so that, as the DC Extended Universe is kicking off, I could be there to help. Everyday I’ll check to see what DC cinematic news has broken the internet; I’ll read comments saying how Ben Affleck will be the best Batman of all time or the ridiculous speculation that comes from less than a second of trailer footage. Sir, that’s what I want to be a part of. And I know I’m not unique in that sense, but there’s always been something that tells me that one day, I would. I know you’re an incredibly busy guy and, as a fan, I just want to say I admire your work. I’d honestly be surprised if you read this far, and even more so if you’re willing to take that chance. If you do, my email is cjamesbuchanan@gmail.com. Also, as a form of resume, I attached a short, four page, Mr. Freeze film I wrote below if you’re interested. Thank you for reading, but man, this was fun for me. I mean, let’s be real, there’s nothing nerdier than asking Geoff Johns for a chance while listening to the Man of Steel soundtrack. And if somehow, things workout down the road, maybe this letter could make for some funny headlines. “Christopher Buchanan Writes Letter to Geoff Johns as Teen: Predicts Future.” A kid can dream, right?

Sincerely,

Christopher Buchanan