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Recent Script Sales

Recent Script Sales

Script Sales tend to drop off in November/December as everyone gears up for the new year, but there were still some significant November 2019 script sales, as reported by Script Pipeline.

You can check out our pick of the sales below. But before that, a reminder that the final deadline for the Romance and Comedy Award 2020 is fast approaching; you’ve got until Sunday February 9th to submit!

  • The life rights for a Michael Jackson biopic have been picked up by GK Films, and John Logan (Oscar-nominated for GLADIATOR, THE AVIATOR, and HUGO) is set to write the script. It remains to be seen how some of the more controversial aspects of Jackson’s life will be handled – but it’s hard to see how the rights could have been sold unless the script promised to treat its subject kindly.
  • It’s been a few years since STAR TREK: BEYOND, and talk of potential sequels – including one from Quentin Tarantino – has stalled, with Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth both walking away from negotiations. Now it’s set to be revived by Noah Hawley, creator of the TV shows FARGO and LEGION.
  • One of the more unusual looking sales is THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT, in which a fictionalized version of Nicolas Cage – played by Cage himself – is forced to recreate the characters he’s played at the birthday of a super fan. We’re getting serious BEING JOHN MALKOVICH-type vibes from this project. However it turns out, it should certainly be interesting!

Click here if you’d like to see the full report from Script Pipeline, which features plenty of other interesting information!

Recent Script Sales

Horror proves popular – May 2019 Script Sales

There are several interesting things to note from the May 2019 Script Sales as reported by Script Pipeline, but what struck us the most was that there are several horror projects here.

This shows that no matter what, there’s always a core audience for this genre, making it a good target for screenwriters looking to get a production credit under their belt. The production costs are also often low for these kind of projects – always seen as a big positive by producers!

  • DON’T GO IN THE WATER sounds like an interesting idea. Horror has produced plenty of iconic monsters and villains over the years, and it looks like they might be aiming for another one here as an alcoholic  does battle with a tentacled monster in the lake. Yes, the idea of being trapped in an isolated cabin is a tired cliche – but the monster sounds like it might enliven things.
  • Another year, another remake. This time it’s the classic HELLRAISER getting the treatment, set to be written by David S. Goyer. After ten films in the franchise already, you’d think that people might be getting tired of it; this is one that could either crash badly or breathe new life into the series.
  • Speaking of remakes, how about a spinoff? Another series that seems to go on forever, SAW gets another instalment – which might not sound so surprising until you realize that the story concept is by Chris Rock. However this turns out, it should certainly be interesting!

On the other end of things, there are also several comedies being sold and set to star various stars including Chris Hemsworth – a welcome bit of news, given how well he plays comedic roles.

If you’d like to see more of Script Pipeline’s report on script sales in May 2019, you can click here to do that now!

‘SALEM’S LOT and video game adaptations – Script Sales from March/April 2019

‘SALEM’S LOT and video game adaptations – Script Sales from March/April 2019

It’s always important to keep up to date with what scripts are selling, and there are some interesting things to note from Script Pipeline’s last couple of reports on sales from March and April…

First of all, sales have slowed lately because a dispute has led to most WGA members firing their agents. That alone is worth keeping an eye on; how script sales will be conducted in the future, and how practices will change as a result of this, could have major ramifications for our industry.

Apart from this, here are some of the things that caught our eye in these latest reports…

  • There’s been some controversy over the casting of Will Smith as Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena, in biopic KING RICHARD. With Smith set to also produce, however, it’s unlikely that the casting will change. This could be a powerful sports biopic if handled correctly.
  • The DC Extended Universe will continue with THE FLASH – and unusually, it seems they’re allowing Ezra Miller, who plays the title role, to write it as well.
  • Although they haven’t traditionally fared well (DETECTIVE PIKACHU excepted), another video game adaptation is being attempted in the form of SAINTS ROW. Lacking the brand appeal of franchises like POKEMON or ASSASSIN’S CREED, it remains to be seen whether there’s really an audience for this.
  • On a similar note, last year’s TOMB RADIER reboot is getting a sequel. We weren’t too impressed with it ourselves, but it’s clearly done well enough at the box office to deserve a follow up.
  • With recent adaptations of IT and PET SEMETARY, bringing the works of Stephen King to the screen is popular right now. That trend continues with ‘SALEM’S LOT – here’s hoping it’s more like the former than the latter in terms of quality.

If you want to see what else has been sold these last couple of months, take a closer look at Script Pipeline’s report on March Script Sales by clicking here, or click here for sales from April!

Halle Berry takes on the world of MMA in her directorial debut and the stars start to align for Rian Johnson’s “KNIVES OUT”

Halle Berry takes on the world of MMA in her directorial debut and the stars start to align for Rian Johnson’s “KNIVES OUT”

Script Sales from September 2018

Script Pipeline have been reporting on script sales from September 2018 – and although sales might be light this month, there are some interesting projects to take note of.

  • Halle Berry will be taking on her directorial debut with BRUISED, in which she will also star. We’ve had countless boxing movies over the years, but apart from WARRIOR, Mixed Martial Arts hasn’t yet had its day at the movies. Perhaps now is the time for it to step into the ring?
  • THE WILD BUNCH is getting a remake, and it looks like Mel Gibson will be the man behind it. This will be his first feature since 2016’s HACKSAW RIDGE – and shows the continuing trend of remakes and reboots in Hollywood right now.
  • Whatever you thought of Rian Johnson’s efforts with STAR WARS, he’s soldiering on with his next picture. KNIVES OUT is a modern murder-mystery with Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, and, as most recently reported by Variety, Jamie Lee Curtis.

Don’t forget, knowing what’s selling right now is important for any writer who wants the best chance of getting their work produced – so read the full report on script sales from September 2018 by clicking here.

And don’t waste the chance to get our professional feedback on your work either using our script report services. They’re discounted throughout our Winter 2019 Contest, and you get free entry to the competition when you commission one, too!

ScriptPipeline’s November 2017 Script Sales review

ScriptPipeline’s November 2017 Script Sales review

Tarantino to do his thing with Charlie Manson, while DC has The Rock and a writer set for BLACK ADAM. As we wind down to the industry Christmas break, the script sales in November step it up with some very interesting pieces of news.

A Hitchcock-esque sci-fi, thriller, Sandra Bullock in a medicinal marijuana con story and much more. There’s plenty of room for sci-fi and techno styled spec scripts as reported in Script Pipeline’s November 2017 Script Sales – and that could provide an opening for you. With STAR WARS re-heightening the interest in sci-fi, the genre has had a bit of a renaissance (see ARRIVAL and PASSENGERS).

But the eye-catching news is elsewhere…

Quentin Tarantino is set to write and direct (the Tarantino way) about the Charles Manson murders – that seems right up Tarantino’s street. After the success of AMERICAN CRIME STORY season 1, which dramatized the O.J. Simpson trial, it seemed only a matter of time before a story about Manson came about. But with this being Tarantino’s first biopic, it’ll be interesting to see what comes of this…

Finally, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson not only has his DC film role, but also a writer for the script. The BLACK ADAM film set in the DCEU seems a-go… but for how long? Will this be a stand-alone film? Will this even get into production? The Rock has been pushing for this for a while now, but I don’t see a good outcome coming from this…

Check out the other script sales news from November with Script Pipeline here. What will December bring for script sales?

View our review on the Octboer script sales here.

© WriteMovies 2017. Exclusive to WriteMovies – To syndicate this content for your own publication, contact ian (at) writemovies dot-com.

ScriptPipeline’s November 2017 Script Sales review

ScriptPipeline’s October 2017 Script Sales review

ScriptPipeline’s October 2017 Script Sales review – Hanks set to go post-apocalyptic, Bob is getting a movie, and Michael Bay is working with… Dora the Explorer?

As Script Pipeline points out, script sales slowed down in the month of October. As the industry moves closer to Christmas the Hollywood “off-season” feeling is starting to creep in – but we still got some pretty cool news. Tom Hanks is set to star in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi about a robot taking care of his creator’s dog. I can’t tell whether this will be dramatic, comedic, or both, but damn I’m intrigued.

Otherwise, the biggest news comes from two animated TV shows setting off for the big screen. BOB’S BURGERS is getting the film treatment – the show has continually been rivaling FAMILY GUY’s and THE SIMPSONS’ ratings the past few weeks, even topping them! This is great news for what is one of the more refreshing, heartfelt, and relateable animated comedies out there.

And then… Michael Bay is set to produce a live-action DORA THE EXPLORER film… All in all, a mixed month for October… Read more at Script Pipeline: https://scriptpipeline.com/october-2017-script-sales

You can check out more of our recommended links, news, and buzz right here: https://writemovies.com/about/news/film-news/

© WriteMovies 2017. Exclusive to WriteMovies – To syndicate this content for your own publication, contact ian (at) writemovies dot-com.

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