Quentin Tarantino: The Screenplay as Art
Good morning: In today's edition of The Industry, we look at:
A Cover Story on Quentin Tarantino.
In The Industry News: Comcast spins, Warner Bros. remakes, Minecraft take two.
Actor Spotlight: Seth Rogen studio boss, Angelina Jolie in Stitches and Nicholas Braun is getting famous.
Indie Filmmaker Spotlight: Dan Janvey finds land! Jorma Taccone’s Lonely Island.
International News: An Estonian alien black hole spoof dramedy.
Let’s go!
Our live event with Josh Mond (prod: Martha Marcy May Marlene, dir: James White) on how to make a personal film on your own terms kicks off today at 6pm EST. Details here:
https://theindustry.co/p/from-sundance-to-cannes-with-josh
Quentin Tarantino: The Screenplay as Art.
When Quentin Tarantino started his screenwriting journey, there was one script that blew his mind: Walter Hill’s Hard Times.
Accepting Final Draft’s Hall of Fame Award in 2020, Tarantino explained what resonated for him with Hill’s script, the writer behind Alien (1979) and 48hrs (1982):
“Hill wasn't just giving a blueprint for how a bunch of technicians can make this movie later, like a recipe for a cake that somebody else is going to bake. The prose was written for me, the reader. I was supposed to get caught up into this. I was supposed to be excited about this story. And, even more importantly, I was supposed to make the movie in my mind.”
He continued:
“When the script was over and I put it down, I saw it. I saw the movie. Because I didn't just read a how-to, I had a whole artistic experience with the page.”
Tarantino understands how to craft the artistic journey on the page. His smooth-talking, bloody amalgamations of pop culture sing before they ever hit the screen.
His first produced screenplay, Reservoir Dogs, captured the horrific violence yet true tenderness between a group of bank robbers.
That movie propelled him into the screenwriting stratosphere, going on to win two Oscars for Best Original Screenplay.
At the end of his Final Draft acceptance speech, Tarantino offered some words of advice: to pour your soul into your “cockamamie masterpieces,” a script which is an undiluted version of you.
He shared a private conversation he had with top studio executives about what they’re looking for from screenwriters:
“I'm just telling you, if you want to go into your bedroom and lock the door, and three months later come out with a screenplay, I heard from big people. They're waiting to read those. They want to read them. They want to read that diamond bullet script by that person that they've never heard of before that they can say is their own.”
Executives are not reading that material lately.
For More:
Quentin Tarantino accepts Final Draft's 2020 Hall of Fame Award (video).
Final Draft Black Friday Sale – 35% Off.
Limited time only – sale ends November 30th. Learn more here.
THE INDUSTRY NEWS
Comcast is spinning off NBCUniversal cable channels. These include:
USA Network
Syfy Channel
Oxygen
E!
MSNBC
CNBC
Total revenue from those channels over the past year was $7bn. The top-performing channels will stay with Comcast:
Peacock
NBC (which hosts the Olympics)
Bravo
Leadership for the new cable network will be:
CEO: Mark Lazarus (chairman, NBCU)
CFO/COO: Anand Kini (CFO: NBCU)
An NBCU executive commented:
“A leaner offering for cable and a streamlining of the core businesses is the stronger play for the future.”
This will be completed in 2025.
In the interim, leadership across Comcast is changing, with Donna Langley (Chairman, NBCU Studio Group & Chief Content Officer) becoming Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studios.
This Langley, the lead behind the success of last year’s Oppenheimer (Universal Pictures) and, presumably, this weekend’s Wicked, will have the power of a studio boss with greenlight authority and control over spending.
Warner Bros. bad timing? The studio is making a new Aaron Sorkin film. Sorkin is a genius of rapid-paced, dialogue-driven movies/shows (West Wing, The Trial of the Chicago 7) that explore social justice and power dynamics.
The new Sorkin-scripted (and possibly directed) film will be adapted from a Business Insider article, America’s Greatest Gift To Israel (paywalled), about the father of the Israeli Air Force, Al Schwimmer.
Here’s a tidbit from the piece:
“[Schwimmer] masterminded a covert, illegal, international operation that was equal parts Argo and Mission Impossible. Working with the Jewish underground paramilitary, the Haganah, Schwimmer led a team of World War II veterans to break an American embargo and smuggle 125 military planes and more than 50,000 weapons to Palestine.”
Schwimmer's story of covert operations to establish Israel's air force, which led to the loss of his rights as an American citizen, could further Sorkin’s investigation of defying the law for a perceived greater good.
Warner Bros. is opening its treasure troves to South Korea’s CJ ENM (prod company: Parasite, The Handmaiden). The companies will swap native language remakes.
For instance, if CJ ENM wants to remake Casablanca (1942), Driving Miss Daisy (1989), or Joker (2019), they will now be able to not only remake but consult with WB for “creative decisions” plus insight from the original writer, director, producer, and cast.
Same if Warner Bros. wants to remake CJ ENM’s brilliant and evocative Decision to Leave (2022).
Let’s hope the films are more than just carbon copies and serve more as inspirations that are modified to contend with each country’s cultural considerations.
Teaser for Toothless: The live-action How to Train Your Dragon teaser just dropped, and we got a glimpse of our hero, Hiccup, and an adorable recreation of his dragon named Toothless. The film is looking to be a nearly one-to-one copy of the Dreamworks animated film that raked in $494 million worldwide. With numbers like that and sequels that were successful in their own right, this might be a win for DreamWorks. We will see when HTTYD comes to theatres and Imax on June 13th.
Tidbit:
Netflix may have tampered with Facebook's efforts to create its video service, Facebook Watch. A new lawsuit says the streamer had some anti-competitive backroom dealings that saw them funnel $100s of millions into Facebook marketing in exchange for Facebook sunsetting Facebook Watch. Facebook in turn was trying to build out their video platform to gain more consumer data to feed back into their ad platform to raise revenue.
Louisiana’s Tax $150 M tax credit, which was in danger of being eliminated, has new life. The state’s House of Representatives voted to kill the incentive by a wide margin of 87-12. But the Senate reduced its cap from $150 M to $125 M. It will still need to be confirmed, but this is great news as most producers rely on the 25 - 40% incentive, like the filmmakers behind:
Beasts of the Southern Wild
12 Years a Slave
True Detective Season 1
The tax incentives help fuel local jobs and businesses, so this would be an important one to continue. Silver lining will be if CA’s new $750 M tax incentive passes.
National Geographic greenlights the unscripted series The Real Finding Nemo (working title). It explores the vibrant underwater world framed through the lens of the Disney classic. Promising to be an informative look at all of the underwater creatures Dory and Marlon met while on their quest to find Nemo. Produced by Freeborne Media. Here’s a fun still.
Fresh off of waxing about his retirement and considering joining Marvel, Denzel Washington revealed that Equalizer 4 and 5 are in the works. With the recently announced CBS series spin-off, it seems like this series about Robert McCall, the vigilante assassin, still has some legs.
Producer/writer Caroline Dries has joined Prime Video’s Legally Blonde prequel series, Elle, serving as a showrunner and EP under Reese Witherspoon’s production banner Hello Sunshine. Dries developed and created the CW’s Batwoman in addition to writing credits on The Vampire Diaries, Netflix’s Arrow, and Melrose Place. Little else has been confirmed regarding the iconic Elle Woods origin story series.
Veteran screenwriter Tiffany Paulsen (About Fate) has made a deal to adapt In a Holidaze, a bestselling holiday rom-com novel currently in development with Netflix. Described as Love Actually meets Groundhog Day, the feature’s source material comes from author Christina Lauren and NY Times best-selling writing duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. Paulsen is coming off the success of her feature directorial debut Winter Spring Summer or Fall (2024), a Paramount coming-of-age drama led by Jenna Ortega, which had its world premiere at this year’s Tribeca Festival but has not yet been dated for release.
Minecraft tries to fix things: With a clever little “take two,” the live-action Minecraft trailer tries to show more of what fans liked after the first was panned and memed to hell.
This one starts off promising with a familiar cut from the game's soundtrack by C418. We see a bit more on how the world works, there is tree punching and crafting along with a slight graphics overhaul.
There is also a bit of an element of not taking itself too seriously that really works for Jack Black’s delivery. Just ask the Sonic team to know that video game fans can be bloodthirsty. Minecraft's second trailer seems to satiate that blood lust, and there is even some hope.
In theaters 2025.
Mini tidbit:
Faith-Based series It’s Not Like That is ordered from Amazon, pending cast.
Juror #2, Clint Eastwood’s latest film, premieres on Max on December 20th and is getting an Oscars campaign courtesy of Guillermo Del Toro, who has been very vocal in his championing of the film.
THE ACTOR SPOTLIGHT
Maybe something a bit more serious for Seth Rogan: Apple TV+ has announced The Studio, a 10-episode comedy starring Seth Rogen as a newly appointed studio head scrambling to keep his head above water as he sinks into Hollywood's underbelly.
This also marks a reunion with his co-writer and creative partner Evan Goldberg. The childhood friends had a winning formula where they would write a comedy that Rogan would then go on to star in. As their success grew, the pair also began EPing series together, being responsible for Prime’s The Boys Universe.
While The Studio has its fair of pratfalls and celebrities attacking Rogan, it already looks to be a slightly more refined take on comedy. The teaser shows a more serious Rogan almost playing straight man to a wide range of celebrities some of which include Zac Efron, Catherin O Hara and Ron Howard.
Seeing this all-grown-up Rogan, it’s hard not to think of where he came from. His early collaborations created some of the heaviest-hitting comedies in the 2000s:
Knocked Up (2007)
Superbad (2007)
Pineapple Express (2008)
The Studio is set to premiere March 26, 2025. Check out this different side of Rogan in the official teaser. Notably, Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard are featured attacking Rogan.
If you are enjoying the newsletter and see its value, please consider supporting the newsletter by becoming a premium subscriber https://theindustry.co/subscribe
Angelina Jolie’s critically acclaimed performance as legendary opera singer and proud diva Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s Maria is being followed up by another lead role in Stitches (Coutures) the first English language directorial project from French filmmaker Alice Winocour (Proxima).
While plot details are still being kept under wraps, Jolie will reportedly play a filmmaker involved in the world of high fashion set in Paris.
Being distributed by French powerhouse firm Pathé Films (Emilia Perez), Stitches is said to begin filming early next year.
Read more about Jolie’s overwhelmingly vulnerable performance in the Venice Festival gem Maria here.
A24’s Zac Efron film Famous is getting some new cast additions:
Nicholas Braun (Succession)
Stephanie Koenig (English Teacher)
Debby Ryan (Netflix’s Insatiable)
Efron will take on both leading roles as a captivating movie star and a loner fan desperate to become famous like his look-alike celebrity.
Here is the official synopsis:
Lancelot Blue Dunkquist (Efron), an overzealous fan and loser living above his parents’ garage and working a meaningless job but who is the spitting image of world famous movie star James Jansen (Efron). When Dunkquist loses his job, he decides to follow his dream to become famous at whatever cost.
Famous is set to be directed by filmmaker Jody Hill most known for co-creating, directing, and working as an EP on the HBO comedies Eastbound & Down, Vice Principals, and The Righteous Gemstones also acting in the lattermost as the character Levi.
Tidbit:
BAFTA winner Emma Mackey is the newest talent to join J.J. Abram’s forthcoming untitled mystery movie directing from a script he wrote with his company Bad Robot also producing. Barbie’s Mackey will be joining A-listers Glen Powell (Twisters) and Jenna Ortega (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice). It has been five years since the famed director’s last feature, Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019), which was met with mixed reactions. His next film from Warner Bros has yet to reveal any plot details as of late.
Hanging up his saddle for surfboards. Upcoming surf thriller co-written by and starring Yellowstone’s Kevin Costner, Headhunters adds Australian actor Sam Corlett of Netflix’s Territory (2024) and Vikings: Valhalla (2022) to join the cast.
Official Logline:
What ensues is an adventure turned survival story of epic and bloody proportions on a tropical island which once seemed to be paradise… but is actually closer to hell.
Headhunters marks the directorial debut of cinematographer Steven Holleran (DP: Missing) with production set to begin before the end of the month.
Mini Tidbits, each releasing on Christmas Day:
A24’s Babygirl is high on my movie wishlist. Here’s the new trailer. And our cover story on why Kidman is drawn to these roles:
https://theindustry.co/p/nicole-kidman-babygirl-premier
This just looks fun. Donnie Yen, the brilliant martial arts actor who played the blind hitman in the latest John Wick stars as the titular character in The Prosecutor. He plays a prosecutor who exacts justice through bad-ass violence (trailer). Yen also serves as the director.
INDIE FILMMAKER SPOTLIGHT
Emmy-winning studio Ventureland (Bobi Wine: The People’s President) has hired Academy Award-winning producer Dan Janvey (Nomadland) as Head of Film.
Following the announcement, studio co-creator Kerstin Emhoff shared:
“He exemplifies the spirit of independent cinema, possessing an extraordinary talent for identifying emerging talent and compelling projects. As a passionate filmmaker and bold risk-taker, Dan embodies our commitment to nurturing exceptional talent and bringing visionary stories to life.”
The Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) producer is a founding member of the production company The Department of Motion Pictures and was also formerly a manager/producer at Untitled Entertainment.
Next up for Ventureland includes many in development untitled documentaries as well the Apple TV+ scripted series, Government Cheese led by Selma’s David Oyelowo.
Jorma Taccone, a member of The Lonely Island, is directing The Trip (IMDBPro link), a thriller-comedy starring Jason Segel, Samara Weaving, Juliette Lewis, and Timothy Olyphant.
The film, is an English-language remake of the Norwegian 2021 film I Onde Dager. It follows a dysfunctional couple who plan to kill each other during a trip to a remote cabin.
Taccone’s last feature directorial work was Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016, trailer) and The Trip marks his return to feature filmmaking. The Trip is currently shooting in Tampere, Finland.
Frank Marshall (prod: Twisters) is directing the first fully authorized Fleetwood Mac documentary for Apple, featuring Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks. The film will explore the band’s 50-year history, blending personal band drama with groundbreaking musical achievements.
The documentary aims to highlight the band's unique chemistry, which led to over 220 million records sold. Marshall aims to capture Fleetwood Mac’s enduring legacy, following his directorial work on acclaimed music documentaries about The Bee Gees and The Beach Boys. Production is currently on the way, but we suspect this may be coming closer to late 2026.
New heist comedy, Mykonos, from international production company Studio Galazio is in the middle of production with an ensemble led by Uncut Gems’ breakout Julia Fox, Kleliia Andriolatou (Maestro in Blue), Riccardo Scamarcio (John Wick 2), and Vito Schnabel (The Trainer) rounding out the main cast.
Official Synopsis:
Set on the glamorous European island, the film follows a rag-tag band of noble thieves who steal from the boorish elite tourists that destroy their home each summer.
Galazio CEO Christopher André Marks is making his feature directorial debut based on an his original screenplay sharing:
“It is a privilege to collaborate with such a talented international cast and crew on this film, especially as we embark on our first major project in Greece.”
The newly formed studio is dedicated to the creation and development of TV series and feature films with inherent Greek themes aimed at large-scale international distribution. There has been no word on any premiere dates for Mykonos as of now.
Tidbit:
IMAX is releasing a restoration of Fincher’s Se7en in theaters on January 3rd - Jan 7th. Here’s the updated trailer.
Newly launched Generator Entertainment is financing, producing and developing action, sci-fi and elevated horror.
Here’s the team:
Chris Collins (writer: John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum)
Kelly McKee (Executive, Co-EP: Paterno, The Crow)
Ken Browning (entertainment attorney)
Here’s their website.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
It’s always nice to see an absurdist Estonian alien black hole spoof dramedy that’s part Under the Skin, part Mars Attacks, and part War of the Worlds. That’s the vibe of The Black Hole which premiered at Fantastic Fest and has currently reached its home planet of Estonia for their Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
Here’s the official synopsis:
The residents of a drab apartment block whose lives are upended when a black hole appears mysteriously in a lilac bush, and they find themselves confronted with aliens who change their lives forever.
Sirje and Maret, who dreaming of finding work abroad, end up in an extraterrestrial science experiment; Jüri, who is still living with his mother, falls in love with his lustful neighbor; Gertrud Mariliis, who dreams of a world without abusive men, finds shelter at fearless bodybuilder Uma’s apartment full of giant spiders.
As Dostoevsky said, eternity is probably some crummy room filled with spiders.
Sales rights have been abducted by Reel Suspects (We're All Going to the World's Fair) whose CEO stated:
“The Black Hole is a wild, cosmic thrill ride where aliens, lust, giant spiders, and existential cravings collide in a bizarre, guilty pleasure you never saw coming.”
Here is the trailer.
ON THIS DAY
2002. Die Another Day, the 20th James Bond film is released.
See you tomorrow!
Written by Gabriel Miller, Spencer Carter, and Madelyn Menapace.
Editor: Gabriel Miller.
Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | X
Want to advertise with us? Email: clarke.scott@theindustry.co