Freejack

In 1992, Warner Bros. released *Freejack*, a science fiction film directed by Geoff Murphy. The cast includes Emilio Estevez, Mick Jagger, Rene Russo, and Anthony Hopkins. The screenplay, written by Steven Pressfield and Ronald Shusett from their own story, adapts Robert Sheckley’s 1959 novel *Immortality, Inc.* Morgan Creek produced the film.

The story is set in a dystopian future where the wealthy can achieve immortality. They hire mercenaries called "bonejackers," who use time travel to snatch people from the past moments before they die, using their bodies as replacements. Those who escape this fate are known as "freejacks." Most people in this future suffer from poor health due to drugs and pollution, making them undesirable as host bodies.

The plot follows Alex Furlong, a Formula One racer. In 1991, just as he is about to die in a crash, a time machine pulls him into 21st-century New York City, now a dangerous, scavenger-filled dystopia. Furlong escapes from Victor Vacendak, a mercenary who snatched him for the McCandless Corporation. Alex’s former fiancée, Julie Redlund, now works as an executive at McCandless. Alex spends much of the film evading Vacendak—a ruthless but honorable pursuer—and rekindling his relationship with Julie. It is revealed that Ian McCandless, Julie’s boss, has died and wants to implant his backed-up personality into Alex’s body. Alex and Julie also flee from Mark Michelette, McCandless’s right-hand man, who is trying to seize power. After Alex spares Vacendak’s life, Julie rescues him. Alex fakes taking Julie hostage to negotiate with Michelette, but Michelette knows about their past. After Julie slaps him, they escape, only to encounter a gunfight between McCandless’s guards and Vacendak’s mercenaries. Julie plans to use an escape module on the hundredth floor, but the elevator takes them to the top floor where McCandless’s mind is stored. In a virtual reality encounter, McCandless explains he wants Alex’s body to be with Julie. He offers to die and let Alex run the company as McCandless. Vacendak arrives, and McCandless reveals he was stalling. Alex fights the transfer process as Michelette stumbles in, wounded. Julie grabs a gun and fires, disrupting the transfer. It is unclear whether Alex or McCandless now controls Alex’s body. Vacendak knows a secret code that can determine the answer.