Luke Johnson is turning his brother David Johnson into a movie star in a buddy comedy that highlights parts of their lives. (Jeremy Prusso)
Estimated reading time: 5-6 minutes
PROVO — Watch out, Jack Black.
There’s a new movie star in town named David Johnson, and his slapstick comedy and impeccable comedic timing could take the world by storm, at least that’s what his older brother says.
Not only that, but Luke Johnson is on a mission to make his younger brother a movie star because that’s what he promised long ago.
Johnson is a filmmaker and his brother has Down syndrome. According to the older brother, the two have been making movies all their lives. Recently, however, Luke Johnson, who produces movies for BYU-TV, has wanted to make good on his promise to turn his brother into a movie star.
“From the day he was born, he has been one of the greatest blessings to our family,” Johnson said. “He’s been making us laugh and smile since the day he was born. We’ve made funny videos growing up with our old VHS camcorder. We’d just shoot anything that made us laugh.”
“When I first started making my way in the film industry, David always asked me if he could be a part of it. He was talking about us making a movie about his life, and I promised him that one day I would. We’re finally doing it.”
Johnson said it took him years to come up with a movie worthy of including his brother, but when he looked back on his own life with his brother, it all started to fall into place.
He has been making us laugh and smile since the day he was born.
–Lucas Johnson
“For years, I tried to figure out what story to tell about David, and I had several failed attempts at trying to make up a story,” Johnson said. “One day I realized that the best story we can tell is only one based on our real life.”
The story and the fight.
On a family vacation in Hawaii when they were teenagers, Johnson said his brother met a girl named Naria, with whom he fell in love. Unfortunately, he lost Naria’s contact information, but he still had her photo.
Over the years, Johnson’s brother would tell all his friends that he was going to marry Naria, and this is where the story begins: on a road trip to find Naria.
“One day, I realized that if we as brothers went on a road trip to find this girl that David had a crush on, that could be an amazing story,” Johnson said.
However, there is more to the story, and to tell it, Johnson would have to tap into some of his darkest days.
“I struggled with substance abuse for many years,” she said, fighting back tears. “And, you know, I had amazing people in my life who never gave up on me and always believed in me and knew I’d pull through, and David is one of those people. I don’t even know if he had any idea what he was struggling with.” But every time I saw him, he would give me the biggest hug and it’s exactly what I needed because I needed to feel loved in a dark time in my life.”
With David’s love story and his own struggle story, Johnson came up with what he calls a buddy comedy that he hopes will touch the hearts of viewers.
‘There should be hundreds’
“There have been amazing movies in the entertainment world featuring people with Down syndrome, and I was devastated when ‘The Peanut Butter HawkIt came out because, of course, I wanted to be the first person to make a feature film with someone with Down syndrome in the lead. Of course I watched it and it’s amazing and hilarious and I love it. And one day I realized that there shouldn’t be a single movie with someone with Down syndrome as the lead. There should be hundreds, right?
Johnson talked about how unique and special his brother is and how he has received overwhelming support to raise money for the project, he has been overwhelmed by the support.
“David is the funniest guy you’ll ever meet,” Johnson said. “We grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, so we grew up with Chris Farley, Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey. David’s comedic timing is the best and everywhere he goes, he makes people laugh.
“David doesn’t have the ability to memorize an entire script or a screenplay, and a lot of this is going to be very improvised. And I think we have a unique opportunity to not only tell a story that’s unique, but it’s also a story that’s very true to who’s life he is… He’ll play himself. I’ll play myself and we’ll tell David’s story through his eyes.”
And one day I realized that there shouldn’t be a single movie with someone with Down syndrome as the lead. There should be hundreds, right?
–Lucas Johnson
A online fundraising campaign has attracted more than $20,000 in donations from hundreds of supporters, but they need a lot more to make a feature film. Johnson said that he will make the film regardless of whether they reach their funding goal. He also said that he owes it to his brother to complete the film.
“David is one of the few people I feel like I owe my life to, and the least I can do to return the favor is help make his dream come true,” Johnson said. “Now that I’m in a position where I can help tell his life story, the least I can do for him is keep the promise I made to him 10 years ago, which is to make him a movie star.”
For more information about the project, visit its GoFundMe Site*.
*KSL.com does not guarantee that the money deposited in the account will be applied to the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.