(Photo Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly)I think it was a year ago when I discovered this secret list, "The Black List" that floats around Hollywood right before the holidays - supposedly with the best unproduced screenplays in Hollywood listed. Well now that list and it's creator Franklin Leonard (above) aren't such a mystery anymore. Actually, Entertainment Weekly is featuring Franklin and the background of the list in this weeks issue.
Juno, Slumdog Millionaire, and Lars and The Real Girl, are all scripts that have appeared on this infamous list at some point in time and have all been made into films. Most of the scripts on the list either have some actor or producer attached by the time it makes the list. But making it onto the coveted list seems to give the script some kind of credibility. Cause lord knows nobody in Hollywood can like a script on their own without being told by fifty other people that it's good. lol
If you click below, you can check out the top ten picks which kind of leaves me scratching my head since none of these loglines would make me go see the movie, but maybe they'll be your cup of tea. If you click the photo above you can check out the Entertainment Weekly Article.
1. The Beaver by Kyle KillenIt's About: Walter Black, a depressed toy manufacturer, loses his family and his business. But then Walter tries on a hand puppet—a chatty British rodent called "The Beaver"—and his personality is transformed. It's all good at first, but things turn ugly when the puppet won't let go. It's Like: Liar Liar fused with the horror movie Magic. Status: Steve Carell is attached to play Walter.
2. The Oranges by Jay Reiss and Ian HelferIt's About: Two New Jersey families are thrown into comic turmoil when the prodigal daughter returns for Christmas and falls in love with her parents' best friend. It's Like: The Graduate engaged to Meet the Parents. Status: Anthony Bregman (Thumbsucker) and MRC will produce. Julian Farino (Entourage) is negotiating to direct.
3. Butter by Jason MicallefIt's About: Destiny, a black foster child, faces off against Iowa's reigning dairy diva, the beautiful but venal Laura Pickler, in an epic butter-carving competition for the ages. It's Like: Election swirled with Best in Show. Status: Jennifer Garner is in talks to play Laura, while DreamWorks is in early negotiations for the project.
4. Big Hole by Michael GilioIt's About: Lee, an old, grumpy ex-cowboy, loses $30,000 to a fraudulent sweepstakes company and sets out to punish those responsible. Lee's son, the local sheriff, is charged with stopping him. It's Like: Falling Down splattered with No Country for Old Men. Status: Project is set up with Aversano Films (Failure to Launch).
5. The Low Dweller by Brad IngelsbyIt's About: Charlie "Slim" Hendrick, a don't-eff-with-me ex-con, returns home to find that his sweetie has moved on and his bitter brother has gambling debts. When a disfigured, dog-loving thug beats his sibling to death, Slim seeks vengeance. It's Like: Unforgiven, only less geriatric. And much less forgiving. Status: Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way and Tony and Ridley Scott will co-produce.
6. F***buddies by Liz MeriwetherIt's About: Emma and Adam have the best relationship ever! They're twentysomething pals who, you know, do it. A lot. But then Adam goes and falls in love with Emma and ruins everything. Can their perfect non-union survive? It's Like: When Harry Met Sally… for the Juno generation. Status: Ivan Reitman's company is developing it.
7. Winter's Discontent by Paul FruchbomIt's About: After the death of his wife of more than 50 years, irrepressible horndog Herb Winter sets out, at age 75, to find sexual fulfillment with another woman. Or, if possible, several. It's Like: Superbad set in a retirement community. Status: The film is set up at Sony. No director or star is attached.
8. Broken City by Brian TuckerIt's About: The New York mayor asks private eye Billy Taggart to find out if the mayor's wife is cheating on him. She is, with the campaign director of the mayor's political rival, no less, who soon turns up dead. Did Billy's investigation lead to murder? It's Like: A modern L.A. Confidential peppered with Glengarry Glen Ross patois. Status: Being developed by the producing team behind Juno.
9. I'm With Cancer by Will ReiserIt's About: Adam, a 25-year-old single Jewish dude, is diagnosed with spinal cancer. Hilarity ensues. Seriously. It's Like: The 40 Year-Old Virgin with chemo. Status: Seth Rogen will produce and has signed on to play Adam's best bud.
10. Our Brand Is Crisis by Peter StraughanIt's About: A team of American political operatives moves to Bolivia to take on a flailing presidential campaign. Loosely based on the 2006 documentary of the same name. It's Like: Primary Colors picked The Motorcycle Diaries as a running mate. Status: George Clooney's company will produce it.
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