The 2008 edition of The Black List is out today and we just got our hands on a copy earlier this morning (thanks!) The list is a “Best Liked List” of all the unproduced scripts that won’t be released in 2008 as compiled by over 250 film executives.
We’ll let them explain it in full:
“THE BLACK LIST was compiled from the suggestions of over 250 film executives, each of whom contributed the names of up to ten of their favorite scripts that were written in, or are somehow uniquely associated with, 2008 and will not be released in theaters during this calendar year. This year, scripts had to receive at least four mentions to be included on THE BLACK LIST. All reasonable effort has been made to confirm the information contained herein. THE BLACK LIST apologizes for all misspellings, misattributions, incorrect representation identification, and questionable ‘2008’ affiliations. It has been said many times, but it’s worth repeating: THE BLACK LIST is not a ‘best of’ list. It is, at best, a ‘most liked’ list.”
Vulture has copied and pasted out the whole list. Nikki Finke has posted the Top 10 list of screenplays with the most mentions over at her Deadline Hollywood site.
Here’s the Top 5. We need to parse the list, but that will take some considerable time and that’s not for today.
1. The Beaver by Kyle Killen
It’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.The Playlist note: Killen is a twenty-eight year old graduate of the University of Southern California Cinema Television Program and this appears to be his first major screenplay (he has no IMDB page).
2. The Oranges by Jay Reiss and Ian Helfer
It’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.The Playlist note: Helfer is also an actor who has written for David Wain’s “Wainy Days.”
3. Butter by Jason Micallef
It’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.The Playlist note: If it’s the same guy, all of Micallef’s IMDB credits are in the Camera and Electrical department, maybe this is what he does at night.
4. Big Hole by Michael Gilio
It’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).The Playlist note: Gilio is also an actor and he wrote the 2001 comedy, “Kwik Stop.”
5. The Low Dweller by Brad Ingelsby
It’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. The Playlist note: This appears to be Ingelsby’s first to-be produced screenplay and it’s his only IMDB credit.