Posted on 06/18/2009 5:46:15 AM PDT by gregd0180
Hello:
A good friend of mine recently finalized a screenplay for Captain America that is receiving very high praise on both coasts from in and outside the industry. A former Marvel Studios staffer has called the story surprisingly original, creative, "epic", “engrossing,” “wonderful,” "very inspiring", "realistic", "really cool," "intense" and "as serious as a heart attack,” “creating ideal opportunities for dramatic content and visual appeal.” He said if he were still at Marvel doing coverage for the studios as a script reader for executives (read: filter), he'd highly recommended it for very serious consideration.
The screenplay is intensely patriotic, but realistic in a way that will appeal to a broad audience -- it's an excellent, epic Captain America origin story that could have a very positive impact on the national Zeitgeist. Everyone who has read the material says it has that potential -- that it's an inspiring script they couldn't put down after they started reading it. I am certain many of you would be intrigued.
Unfortunately, no one who has read the material and given it a thumbs-up currently has access to higher-ups at Marvel Studios. Since we don't know any top people at Marvel (just the former staffer mentioned above), we're seeking someone who has Hollywood clout or connection to such clout and whose background and past work suggests they would be interested in the material and its core theme.
A script was recently submitted by the writers Marvel commissioned (Markus/McFeeley). There's a very limited window of opportunity between now and October when Marvel might be open to considering rewrites or submissions of new scripts, as they have in the past on multiple project.
If you have direct or very good indirect access to higher-ups at Marvel, live and work in L.A. and would be interested in taking a look at the script, let me know.
Best regards, Greg Daniels
Welcome to Free Republic.
Sorry, I have many despoiled Captain America toys on my Island of Misfit Toys, but most of them were from the Hollywood types from when they were children. Evil Children became the adults that run Hollywood.
I hate to tell you this but Marvel already has a Cap movie in production right now for release in 2011. It’s called “The First Avenger: Captain America”
Is it in proper format? Did you use Movie Magic or some other formatting software to meet studio standards? Have you tried the expected Hollywood channels for new scripts?
I would think the retired Marvel exec you had read it, would/should still have contacts in the business. If the script is that good, get a dedicated agent and he will be able to sell it.
I think I refer to that in my note. The possibility between now and pre-production in October is that they’ll accept rewrites or new scripts. They have before, and on multiple projects, including this one.
Why not give your character an original identity? Then Marvel won’t sue the pants off of you.
“Why not give your character an original identity? Then Marvel won’t sue the pants off of you.”
Because for what the story seeks to accomplish, no vehicle is better — and has more built-in mindshare in the public psyche to begin with — than Captain America. Certainly don’t want a lawsuit, but at least it’d get Marvel’s attention, and I think they author would be happy to hand the story over to them. They could set whatever term they’d like. At least they’d read it.
“Is it in proper format? Did you use Movie Magic or some other formatting software to meet studio standards? Have you tried the expected Hollywood channels for new scripts? I would think the retired Marvel exec you had read it, would/should still have contacts in the business. If the script is that good, get a dedicated agent and he will be able to sell it.”
Yes, it’s in perfect format — done in Final Draft, I believe. And agents have been approached. Unfortunately, they’re almost impossible for newcomers to access (just as hard as the studios). They only become accessible, for the most part, oly until after you’ve proven yourself on your own without their help, so it’s kinda of a Catch-22. The former Marvel staffer who looked at it was not a former executive, but a former script reader for executives there (one of their filters for scripts). If you have any particular agents in mind, who might be more open than the usual, feel free to message me privately. Thanks!
I apologize if my questions seemed patronistic. I see you know what you’re doing. I’m part of a writer’s group here and you’d be amazed how many people ‘write a blockbuster script’ then find out it has to be in a studio ready format; software they don’t want to buy. Or they think they can just call up Steven Spielburg and he’ll buy the script because they’re so nice.
I don’t write scripts so unfortunately I have no contacts to offer. From watching the moderator of our group, I know a great agent is tough to find even with contacts. Her mentor is Lew Hunter, in spite of that, she didn’t have an agent that got her anywhere. Our mod met her new agent last year at a film conference where they were on staff. They chatted during lunch after teaching film classes. She wasn’t necessarily looking for a new agent; but he was looking for new talent. He’s managed to get over 20 of her scripts into the studios over the past year. She’d been trying to get a script in for decades.
Do you belong to a writer’s group of some sort? Do you go to/volunteer at your local film festivals? Are you networking there? Considering how slowly Hollywood works, you might try finding an indepentent studio/producer/director and go that way; I don’t know what Marvel would do however. If you are already doing this stuff I apologize; I’m hearing my moderator in my head asking these questions. Good luck with your script sale! :)
Lawrence Kasdan, while still living in Michigan, submitted his first script ("Continental Divide") 187 times before someone optioned it
You gotta take the shot.
“Has he even tried submitting anywhere? There are some writer’s agents who might read it or Stan Lee might even read it if it was submitted. Lawrence Kasdan, while still living in Michigan, submitted his first script (”Continental Divide”) 187 times before someone optioned it You gotta take the shot. “
Hi there. Believe me, the writer’s been trying for weeks to take the shot. Yes, he tried to get Stan Lee to read it (it has the nugget of an idea that Lee would definitely love!!), but a lot of people seem afraid of legal risks out there, especially of newbies. “No unsolicited submissions” is what he gets almost everywhere he turns.
He did manage to get an LA manager who really liked the script, but that manager is running up against the same brick wall of fear of lawsuits. Really terrible that the studios feel they need to wall themselves off like this.
In any case, the writer’s willing to send a PDF of the screenplay to anyone in the entertainment industry who’d be willing to take a look and how might be in a position to help if they judge the material worthy.
He is ***completely flexible*** on signing release forms and on all other terms just to get powers that be — or people with direct or indirect connections to the power that be — to just take a look.
I notice from your profile that you’re in California. Are you in the industry?
What’s needed is to have Capt. America show up at Tea Party rallies. Any one have the costume that can attend or even make one for a future attendee?
Oh yeah! We need Capt. America to show up at Palin rallies! Would that be cool or what? Make sure he gets great face time standing next to the Palinator shaking her hand! Go Cappy!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.