An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn

Challenger Films president Jerry Glover and producer James Edmunds hire English editor Alan Smithee to direct Trio. They believe his inexperience will make him controllable, but he becomes invested in the project.

Edmunds makes frequent changes to the film, hiring many writers to retool the script and giving Smithee frequent notes during production. Smithee's growing frustration mirrors the mounting interference from the stars and the producers.

Edmunds hires prostitute Michelle Rafferty to seduce a drunken Smithee in order to obtain blackmail material. Michelle is captivated by Smithee's kind spirit and begins to develop genuine feelings for him.

Smithee realizes he has lost control over Trio and voices his concerns to Edmunds. Edmunds advises him to drop his directorial name and use the DGA pseudonym, which he cannot do because it would still be 'Alan Smithee'.

Stallone requests they cut one of Chan's lines; Smithee offers to edit and drop the master off at the lab, but instead steals the master and runs away. The act marks a turning point in his control over the project.

Glover orders a search for Smithee. Meanwhile, Smithee calls into Larry King and, in the middle of a mental breakdown, reveals his plan to burn the film so it will never be released.

At a gas station, Smithee is spotted by Stagger Lee, a member of the African American Guerilla Film Family, who quickly befriends him and offers support in his crisis.

Smithee is introduced to indie directors the Brothers brothers, who relate to his plight and schedule a meeting with Glover and Edmunds to negotiate terms.

The Brothers refuse to return the master and insist that Smithee be granted final cut. Glover pretends to accept but has Sam Rizzo follow them as police search for the master.

Smithee escapes through a back window and drives to the La Brea Tar Pits, where he finally burns the film as promised. The act cements his break from the production's control.

He appears on Larry King again, in-person, to defend his actions, explaining that 'they killed Trio, I ended its suffering'. The interview shifts public perception of the project.

Attorney Robert Shapiro negotiates for Smithee to be sent to a psychiatric hospital in England in lieu of criminal charges, as the King interview has led Smithee to be regarded as a hero by the public.

Glover and Edmunds compete in a bidding war with producer Robert Evans to secure Smithee's life story for a film adaptation. Smithee sells on the condition that the Brothers brothers direct with final cut.

The producers realize Smithee, with his newfound reputation, is a valuable property and offer him a film deal. This marks a new phase in his career arc.

At the psychiatric hospital, Michelle reconciles with Smithee as he discusses plans for his new film, Duo. The couple contemplates a future beyond Trio's troubled production.