RESTART: When God Grants Powers in the Apocalypse

Content creator Marius Andrei Pintea, known as Nina Productions2020, offers a fascinating update on his ambitious screenplay project titled RESTART. This conceptual film, described as a blend of fantasy, horror, and apocalyptic cinema, seeks to explore a unique premise: What if, after the end of the world, God granted powers to survivors to restart humanity? 

A Unique Post-Apocalyptic Vision

From the beginning of the video, Pintea emphasizes the magnitude of RESTART, noting that it will not only be his longest screenplay but also the one that has taken him the longest to write. Although he currently only has two pages that he considers good enough for the final draft , the concept has evolved considerably.

Unlike typical natural disaster films or apocalyptic events that show the initial collapse, RESTART plunges directly into "the day after." The director explains that the film will begin with the audience already immersed in the apocalypse, exploring what it's like to live and survive in that time. Most distinctively, it focuses on the rebuilding of the world, an aspect rarely covered in the post-apocalyptic genre. The central question is: What happens after the world ends, and how does everything restart?

The Fusion of Two Bold Ideas

Originally, Pintea had conceived the concept of people naturally developing powers for another of his screenplay series, The Genetic Revolution . However, the idea of a "literal God" granting powers felt too fantastical for that universe. The key to overcoming writer's block and shaping RESTART was combining these two ideas: a post-apocalyptic world where survivors are called to "restart" and receive supernatural abilities directly from a deity .

This premise sets it apart, as the creator claims not to have seen this particular combination explored in this way in cinema . The "uniqueness" of the story lies in the human reaction to receiving such divine powers at such a critical moment for existence .

Biblical and Cinematic Inspirations

Pintea's main sources of inspiration are diverse and revealing. Firstly, the story of Noah and the flood (4:59-5:01) is a fundamental influence. He was intrigued by the brevity of the biblical account and, even more so, by how the world rebuilt itself after the flood . This curiosity about the "rebuilding" phase is a central pillar of RESTART.

Secondly, and perhaps the most significant influence according to Pintea, is the film Prometheus . Although not perfect, he considers it a very good film and a great inspiration for its supernatural elements and exploration of creation and divine intervention . He even jokes that RESTART could be a kind of unofficial "Prometheus 2" that addresses what he feels should have been the sequel instead of Alien Covenant . The use of Alien vs. Predator footage in the video is a direct nod to this influence .

Religious Fantasy Without Proselytizing

Pintea directly addresses the question of whether his works, including RESTART and his novel After Death, are attempts to write "pro-Christian novels". His answer is a resounding "no." While he draws inspiration from Christian principles and beliefs , his intention is not to force a religious message or convert the audience . Instead, he seeks to discuss religious themes and topics in a way that invites reflection , perhaps opening people's eyes to new perspectives on faith without imposing them .

A Visually Impactful Treatment

The creator emphasizes that RESTART was always conceived as a screenplay and never as a book. Although the length of the material might justify a novel, Pintea firmly believes that this story will be a "visual treat"  and, therefore, will work much better as a screenplay for an eventual film. The fantastical nature and epic scale of the events inherently lend themselves to visual storytelling.

Progress and Future Updates

Currently, the RESTART screenplay has 22 completed pages and 11 scenes ready for the final draft. Pintea also briefly shares the status of other screenplay projects, indicating that RESTART has made the most progress. He promises to continue providing updates on this and other screenplays, although he warns that screenplay updates are different from book updates, as he aims to be as vague as possible to avoid revealing the plot .

In summary, RESTART promises to be a deep and visually impactful exploration of human resilience, divine intervention, and the meaning of faith in a world on the brink of rebirth. With its roots in biblical narratives and its unique take on the apocalyptic genre, this screenplay is positioned as an intriguing project for lovers of fantasy and horror cinema with spiritual elements.