All around Hollywood, execs are sitting around conference rooms today deciding what will be on their weekend read. All studios do their weekend reads differently and the projects range from books to scripts to articles, but all reading must be done by Monday when the execs gather around the same conference room table to discuss their opinions on the varying projects.
Some studios put available material on their weekend read to discuss whether or not to buy them. Others put new drafts of their own projects so that their co-workers may weigh in on next steps. Some studios even put projects from other studios on their lists so that they are up to speed on their competition. Projects live or die in these meetings and important decisions are often made about how to proceed (or not) on a range of movies.
SSN has gathered an unofficial list of what may be appearing on weekend read lists around town and offers up our unsolicited advice on what next steps should be.
Projects in Development
THE LIFEBOAT
Studio/ Distributor: Focus Features Logline: Passengers on an overloaded lifeboat realize that in order for any to survive, some must die. Talent: Anne Hathaway Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Liza Chasin, Ben Forkner, Suzan Bymel, Anne Hathaway Writer: William Broyles Jr. Notes: Based on the novel "The Lifeboat" written by Charlotte Rogan and published by Reagan Arthur Books on April 3, 2012. SSN Insight: Because of Anne Hathaway’s attachment the studio wants to get a high profile director and are most likely assessing the script and discussing appropriate director names such as Bill Condon or Kenneth Branagh.
ESPERANZA
Studio/ Distributor: Legendary Pictures Logline: The real-life account of a tightly knit forest service engine crew that perished battling "the perfect storm" of wildland fires near Idyllwild, CA in 2006. Producers: Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni Writer: Sean O’Keefe Notes: Based on the non-fiction book "The Esperanza Fire: Arson, Murder, and the Agony of Engine 57," written by John Maclean and published by Counterpoint on February 12, 2013. SSN Insight: Legendary is quite excited about this project and is looking to attach an A-List director, even discussing Chris Nolan.
MENA
Studio/ Distributor: Universal Pictures Logline: The true story of pilot Barry Seal, who transported contraband for the CIA and the Medellin cartel in the 1980s. Producers: Brian Grazer, Doug Davison Writer: Gary Spinelli Notes: Universal acquired the spec from Gary Spinelli for a reported $1 million. SSN Insight: This was a big spec sale that was originally announced with Ron Howard to direct. The studio has since been rumored to have met with Michael Bay and exploring other options such as Cary Fukunaga.
TELL NO ONE
Studio/ Distributor: Universal Pictures Logline: A doctor grieving for his dead wife discovers she may still be alive. Producer: Frank Marshall Talent: Liam Nesson Writer: Chris Terrio Notes: English-language remake of "Ne Le Dis A Personne" (France/2006) written and directed by Guillaume Canet, based on the novel "Tell No One" written by Harlan Coben and published by Delacorte Press June 19, 2001. SSN Insight: Liam Nesson only recently attached to this project so no doubt the studio is trying to package it with a director as soon as possible.
UNTOUCHABLE
Studio/ Distributor: Weinstein Company Logline: An unlikely friendship develops between a quadriplegic aristocrat and an ex-con who becomes his caregiver. Producer: Alison Owen, Nicholas Duval Writer: John Hartmere Notes: Remake of "Untouchable" (France/2011) directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano. SSN Insight: Harvey has high hopes for this project and is talking to his Imitation Game director, Morten Tyldum, to direct.
AVAILABLE MATERIAL
DODGE
Logline: Kept under wraps but pitched as Snatch with X-Men elements. Writer: Scott Wascha Genre: Action Rep Info: Charlie Ferraro, Peter Dodd/ UTA Brooklyn Weaver/ Energy Entertainment SSN Insight: The hot spec script has been going into all the major studios all week long. It’s bound to show up on a few weekend reads this weekend as execs decide what to do come Monday morning.
SOCK MONKEY: INTO THE DEEP WOODS
Logline: Pitched as Coraline in tone, story centers on a sock monkey and his doll friends who travel across sea, land and air to save their human, who they worry has been kidnapped by a vicious monster. Writer/ Director: Matt Danner Genre: Animation Rep Info: Judy Coppage/ The Coppage Company SSN Insight: Danner initially wrote a film treatment of the project but then decided to publish it as s comic book with publisher Fantagraphics first. Now that they comic hits shelves November 16, Danner is out to studios and financiers with a full script and a teaser Danner created using hybrid CG/live-action "digi-nette puppetry."