On his Facebook page,ย James Gunn announced his new project,ย The Belco Experiment. South America’s The Belco Company is sealed-off and the employees told to kill each other or be killed themselves, leading to an escalation of violence revealing truths about The Belco Company’s employees. Gunn said
Itโs a script I wrote a few years ago, for which I have always had a deep love. Believe it or not, itโs a film that first came to me in a dream, and I woke up and wrote the first draft in a two-week fugue state binge.ย One of the first people to ever read the script, Jonathan Glickman, carried it around with him for years until becoming President of MGM, when he approached Peter Safran and I about financing it. I was all for it, providing two things: 1) Although it has the heart and humor my films have all had, it is also the most intense and uncompromising script Iโve ever written. It would need to stay true to that. 2) Iโd only do it if we found the right director โ which, in some ways, I thought was unlikely.
Reporting on producer Beryl Vertue’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Edinburgh International TVย Festival, Radio Times mentionedย Jed Mercurio‘s next project to be an adaptation ofย Lady Chatterley’s Lover.
According to The Hospital Reporter,ย G.I. Joe 3‘s addedย Aaron Berg to joinย D.J. Caruso.
Deadlineย reportsย Alex Ross Perry has been hired by Disney to write aย Winnie the Pooh feature with an adult Christopher Robin, who imagines the characters, returning to the Hundred Acre Wood.
Bill Pradyย and Bob Kushellย areย reportedly writing a pilot episode of a newย Muppets show, in-which the Muppets gather at ABC Studios to discuss their new show. Miss Piggyย needs to sign on for production to go ahead, but her relationship with Kermit The Frog is becoming complicated. Fozzie’s girlfriend and her parents are said to be guest stars.
Stephen Volk is writing aย three-partย adaptation ofย Midwinter Spirit. Vicar Merrily Watkins’ investigations into the occult and supernatural lead her to helping police investigations with aย crucification connected to a hospitalised animal abuser while dealing with her failing marriage. Producer Kieran Roberts said
We’re very excited to be going into production on Midwinter of the Spirit, especially with such an amazing cast. We’re also thrilled that Stephen Volk’s superb adaptation of Phil Rickman’s gripping and chilling novel is one of the first original commissions for ITV Encore.
Ricky Gervais is writing a remake of satireย Frenchย Correspondence about journalists who fake their own kidnappings during a South American uprising. Gervais said
It’s great to be part of the changing future
The British Television Academy have announced the nominations for the House of Fraser British Academy Televisionย Awards:
- Jeff Pope‘sย Cilla is nominated for Mini Series.
- Peter Morgan‘sย The Lost Honour of Christopher Jeffries is nominated for Mini Series.
- Sally Wainwright‘sย Happy Valley is nominated for Drama Series.
- Harry Williams andย Jack Williams‘ย The Missing is nominated for Drama Series.
- Jed Mercurio‘sย Line of Dutyย is nominated for Drama Series.
- Chris O’Dowd andย Nick Vincent Murphy‘sย Moone Boy is nominated for Scripted Comedy.
- Harry Enfield‘sย Harry & Paul’s Story of the Twos is nominated for Scripted Comedy.
- Mackenzie Crook‘sย Detectorists is nominated for Scripted Comedy.
- James Cordon andย Matthew Baynton‘s The Wrong Mans is nominated for Scripted Comedy.
- Andrew Davies‘ย A Poet in New York is nominated for Single Drama.
- Regina Moriarty‘sย Murdered by my Boyfriend is nominated for Single Drama.
- Jimmy McGovern‘sย Common is nominated for Single Drama.
- Peter Bowker‘sย Marvelous is nominated for Single Drama.
- Nick Pizzolatto‘sย True Detective is nominated for International.
- Beau Willimon‘sย House of Cards is nominated for International.
- Jenji Kohan,ย Sara Hess andย Sian Heder‘s Orange is the New Black is nominated for International.
Screen Dailyย reportsย James McEachenย has written climber George Mallory biopicย In High Places. Mallory’s body was discovered in 1999 800 feet from Mt. Everest’s summit from aย 1924ย expedition. McEachen said
I have been fascinated by George Mallory for as long as I can remember.ย That led directly to my own Himalayan climbs in the 90s, including leading an expedition to 27,766 foot Makalu in 1992.ย It was this direct experience that gave me a deep-seated respect for the bold imagination and war-hardened bravery that Mallory and his companions displayed in their quest for the summit of Everest – long before the age of Gore-Tex and titanium.
It’s been described asย โan epic story about the uncompromising nature of character and the sometimes overwhelming power of dreamsโ
Deadlineย reportย Carl Ellsworth has been hired to write the remake ofย Gremlins.
They also reportย Peter Craigย is writing an adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey.
The Guardianย report Sky has commissionedย Simon McDonald‘sย Fortitude for a second season, featuring characters that survive.
According toย The Hollywood Reporter,ย James Wood has adaptedย Jacked: the Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto, chroniclingย Grand Theft Auto executive producer Sam Houser’s battle with anti-videogame activist attorney Jack Thompson, and the rise of the series into populist infamy as a world of controversy and satire.
Radio Timesย reportย Peter Bowkerย has written a three-part adaptationย of the novelย Capital by John Lancaster, about the accomplished and unaccomplished of Pepys Street receiving a note reading “We Want What You Have”. Executive Producer Derek Wax said
John Lanchester’s wonderful, comic epic of London life, Capital, has been brilliantly adapted by Peter Bowker. I am so delighted that our production has attracted such a terrific cast.
Badass Digest reportย Christopher Markus andย Stephen McFeely are writingย Avengers: Infinity War Part I andย Avengers: Infinity War Part II.
Deadline reportsย Akiva Goldsman andย Jeff Pinknerย are writing the first draft of an adaptation ofย The Gunslinger, Stephen King’s first book in theย Dark Tower series, based on the relationship between Roland and Jake, blending horror and fantasy.
Varietyย reportsย Brad Bird has begun writingย The Incredibles 2. They quoted him, saying:
Iโm just staring to write it, so weโll see what happens
According to The Hollywood Reporter,ย J.D. Payne andย Patrick McKay have rewrittenย Flash Gordon.
TIME have votedย Richard Linklater,ย Amy Schumer,ย Jill Soloway,ย Kevin Hart,ย Christopher Nolan andย John Oliver as their most influential artists of the year.
Atย Star Wars Celebration Anaheim, the amendedย title and synopsis forย Chris Weitz andย Gary Whitta‘sย Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One has been released:
A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.
Mark Gatissย has spoken to Radio Times about the upcomingย Sherlock special, set in 1895, which he’s co-written by withย Steven Moffat:
Over the years we’ve always been across each otherโs Sherlock scripts because we want it to be holistic,ย but the upcoming episode is the first time weโve actually written together.ย Itโs been a real joy.ย I think it will carry on for the next series.
At the Tribeca Film Festival,ย Meryl Streep revealed she’s funding a writing laboratory for over-fourties females run by New York Women in Film and Television and taking place in North New York. Named the Writing Lab, it will be accepting from 1st May to 1st June, with eight winners to be announced 1st August. Mentors participating this year areย Gina Prince-Bythewood,ย Kirstenย Smith andย Jessicaย Bendinger.
Deadlineย reportsย Jeffrey Bellย and Paul Zbyszewski are writing the pilot ofย Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.‘s spinoff.
They also reportย Wes Craven is adaptingย We are all Completely Fine, about psychologist Dr. Jan Sayer gathering five horror scenario survivors, and discovering their dark past through support groups, as well as the monsters within and around them. Universal Cable Productions Executive Vice President Dawn Olmstead said
Wes is an icon whose films have captivated audiences for decades.ย Weโre thrilled to be working with him and to be able to bring his enormous talent and unique blend of horror, humor and intelligence to television.
Craven’s also co-producing an adaptation ofย The People Under the Stairs, written byย Michael Reisz, which reveals the secrets of a manor house after a death occurs there.
According to The Hollywood Reporter,ย Chad Hayes andย Carey Hayes are re-writingย The Conjuring, allegedly the true story of Carla Moran, who was physicallyย and sexually abused by a supernatural demon, despite a doctor considering the abuse self-inflicted based on past trauma.
Entertainment Weeklyย reportsย Akiva Goldsman is collaborating with a new team of writers to expand theย Transformers series into a cinematic universe. Hasbro Chief Executive Officer Brian Goldner said
We have in fact brought in Akiva Goldsman to lead a group of writers to really create a strategic plan around Transformers. We think there are any number of stories to be told from the brand that has been around for 30 years with amazing canon and mythology.
Deadlineย reportsย Simon Beaufoy has writtenย Battle of the Sexes, based on the tennis match between Billie King and Bobby Riggs, after several years of writing in collaboration with King. Meanwhile, Davidย Auburnย has also written a screenplay around the same event, as isย Steve Conrad.
Indian Country Today Media Networkย reports the Navajo actors of The Magnificent Seven spoofย The Ridiculous Six walked-off the set due to what they interpreted as an offensive script byย Adam Sandler andย Tim Herlihy. Examples given include the character names Beaver’s Breath and No Bra, a Navajo character sitting and squatting while smoking a peace pipe and feather inappropriately positioned on a teepee. Actor Loren Anthony said
One thing that really offended a lot of people was that there was a female character called Beaver’s breath. One character says “Hey, Beaver’s Breath”.ย And the Native woman says, “How did you know my name?”ย When we did speak with the main director, he was trying to say the disrespect was not intentional and this was a comedy.
Goldie Tom said
We talked to the producers about other things in the script and they said “It’s in the script and we are not going to change it.”
Marvel Entertainment have announcedย Captain Marvel‘s being written byย Nicole Perlman andย Megย LeFauve.
The Hollywood Reporterย claimย Fifty Shades Darker is to be adapted by the source material’s writer’s husband,ย Niall Leonard, and that he worked inย Fifty Shades of Grey but was uncredited. Producer Michael De Luca said
Niall is an outstanding writer in his own right, with multiple established credits, and we are lucky to have him join Team Fifty.
Doctor Who Head Writer Steven Moffat‘s commented to Radio Times on the way the Doctor will be written in Series 9 and the decision to make the season consist of two-parters:
There is a temptation if you go into a second series with a Doctor, you think, “last series, that’s major”. You’ve got a new guy โ what’s he going to wear, what’s he going to be like, is he good in those scenes, is that close up working for him? Everything is new and you solve all that.ย And there could be a danger that you go, “ah, it’ll be easy now”, because you’ve got an established Doctor so you’ve got to make it difficult again. You’ve got to do something different.ย What you always have to do with Doctor Who is not relax, is not to think we’ve cracked it now.ย We’re continuing to develop his Doctor which is a thing he’s very keen on. Heย doesn’t just want to come back being the same Doctor. He wants to move it on.ย That 45-and-out rhythm has served us incredibly well for ten years, but there is a slight sense sometimes โ about 35 minutes into the episode, you expect the hero music.ย They’re not all two-parters โ sometimes they’re just linked episodes. It’s just making you slightly unsure you’ll get through the story by the time the music comes up. We’ve all got to be on our toes, can’t be relaxed.”
Deadlineย reportsย Thomas Schnauz is writingย Beanstalk, theย Jack and the Beanstalk installment in Disney’s live-action universe.
The Vergeย reportsย Phil Lord andย Christopher Miller are writing the treatment for an animatedย Spider-Manย standalone.
Varietyย reportsย Robert Gordon‘s adaptingย Galaxy Questย for television.
After Valiant Entertainment announced its plans to adapt its comic books, details have now emerged from Variety:
- Jeff Wadlow andย Ericย Heisserer are adaptingย Bloodshot, a government-resurrected soldier turned into a memoryless killing machine.
- Heissererย is also adaptingย Harbinger, philanthropist Toyo Harder’s foundation pursuing superpowered beings.
The CW Television Network’s released the synopsis forย Ben Sokolowski andย Brian Ford Sullivan‘sย Arrow: This is Your Sword:
AL SAH-HIM TAKES HIS FINAL STEPS TO ASCENSION; ROY AND THEA REUNITE โ Oliver/Al Sah-him finishes his training and is left with two final tasks to become the next Raโs al Ghul. Raโs threatens Nyssa and delivers some shocking news. Meanwhile, Malcolm makes a surprising offer to Team Arrow and Thea goes to see Roy.
Radio Timesย reportย Julian Fellowesย is adapting Anthony Trollope’sย Doctor Thorne into a TV drama trilogy, about the character as he lives in Greshamsbury with his wife Mary, who grew up with her siblings Auguster Beatrice, Alexandrina and Frank, who mother Arabella’s discovered desires Thorne’s niece after his father abandoned the family with no money. Fellowes said
My own favourite among the great nineteenth century English novelists and certainly the strongest influence over my work that I am conscious of. It is tremendously exciting and satisfying to know that my adaptation of one of his best-loved novels is coming to ITV. I could not be more delighted.
ITV Drama Director Steve November said
We’re delighted to be working with Julian once again on the drama Doctor Thorne.ย It’s a rich and multi-layered story of class and social standing and a timeless love story which Julian has brought to life brilliantly with his inimitable wit and warmth.
The Daily Mail reportย Peter Morgan‘s writing a two-seasoned, twenty-episode bio-drama of the royal family,ย The Crown. Subjects covered involves the relationship between Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street and co-operation of constitutional matters. One such topic is King George Windsor granting Princess Elizabeth Windsor permission to marry her third cousin and deposed Greek heir apparent Lieutenant Philipย Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glรผcksburg, which generated controversy for being considered a financial deal or an untraditional mix of nationalities within British royalty. Episode one is focused on the wedding and its drama. It’s hoped the twenty-episode run this will begin will expand to sixty episodes to cover Elizabeth’s entire reign as Queen, and George’s heir apparent. A decision is reportedly still being made on whether to write Elizabeth’s mother and George’s husband, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon as comic relief or a tragic figure.
The BAFTA TV Craft Awards have awarded Writer: Drama toย Sally Wainwright‘sย Utopia and Writer: Comedy toย Mackenzie Crook‘sย Detectorists.
Avatar composer James Horner’s revealed to Hey Uย Guys James Cameron‘sย screenplay details for the rest of theย the series:
A lot of it will take place underwater. Right now, Jim has a script that he’s got – he’s got four sequels, script-wise, and he’s trying to keep it to three. He’s got so much going on, how do you keep that from expanding into a fifth sequel?
Netflix have announcedย Jared Stern‘s adapting Dr. Seuss’ย Green Eggs and Ham into a thirteen-part series.
Jeff Pope will beย awarded The Alan Clarke Award on 10th May, it’s been announced by BBC News. British Television Academy Committee Chairman Andrew Newman called Pope
one of the finest exponents of his craft
while Pope said
I tend to always to be moving forward onto the next thing, so if ever there was going to be a moment to stop and look back at the work I’ve done, this is it.ย Writing is all about facing down the tyranny of the blank screen, but my message to all aspiring writers is that once you’ve hit that first key, you discover it’s really not so difficult as you’d imagined.
The Hollywood Reporterย has revealed allegations relating to the approach taken to screenwriters by DC Entertainment:
In the early going, some in Hollywood are questioning whether Warner[ Bro]s has acted too much in haste without having fleshed out the world on which so much hinges. Grumbling among talent reps came especially in response to the studio’s strategy of hiring five writers to compete for a job on Wonder Woman, which has a June 2017 release date. On Aquaman, set for 2018, sources say Warner[ Bro]s commissioned scripts from three writers, one of whom followed the studio’s direction only to be told the rules governing the universe had changed and his work no longer was usable. Another writer has been on hold for the film for months as the studio works to define its vision. “They just haven’t been thorough about their whole world and how each character fits and how to get the most out of each writer’s time by giving them direction,” says a rep with knowledge of the process.ย On Wonder Woman, Warner[ Bro]s hired five writers not to work together but to compete. Each was given a treatment and asked to write a first act. Based on those efforts, the studio winnowed the number to two: Jason Fuchs (Pan) and another writer whose name the studio declines to reveal. A source not involved in the films but with close ties to the studio says the process on Wonder Woman “felt like they were throwing shit against the wall to see what stuck.”ย Before the five writers were brought aboard, sources say [producer] Roven asked Kelly Marcel (Fifty Shades of Grey, Saving Mr. Banks) to work on the script, though a Warner[ย Bro]s insider says she was never officially hired. Sources say she decided not to proceed based on her concern about the number of players who were involved โ particularly when Warner[ Bro]s hired director Michelle MacLaren, whose vision contrasted sharply with Marcel’s. MacLaren subsequently left the project and was replaced quickly by Patty Jenkins, who, ironically, had been dropped by Marvel on Thor: The Dark World after being heralded as the studio’s first female director.ย Warner [Bro]s has had several writers pen scripts for Aquaman, set to star Jason Momoa, who will feature in November 2017’s Justice League movie. Those writers include Will Beall, Jeff Nicholsย and Kurt Johnstad, who now is on hold until the studio is ready to proceed.
The Wrapย reportsย Lucia Aniello andย Paul Downs have been hired by Sony toย each write the next two installments of theย Jump Street series: an all-female version and a crossover withย Men in Black.ย 21 Jump Street was a satire of reboots,ย 22 Jump Street of sequels andย 23 Jump Street is to be of shared universes.
IGNย reportsย Michael Green‘s been hired as the newestย Wolverine III screenwriter, working either to or from a draft byย David James Kelly.