The Black List (survey)

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This article is about the list of top unfilmed movie screenplays. For the NBC TV series, see The Blacklist (TV series). For other uses, see Blacklist (disambiguation).
The Black List
Black List logo.png
Created2004; 17 years ago (2004)
Locationblcklst.com/lists/
Author(s)Franklin Leonard
PurposeRanking of top unproduced screenplays

The Black List is an annual survey of the "most-liked" motion picture screenplays not yet produced. It has been published every year since 2005 on the second Friday of December by Franklin Leonard, a development executive who subsequently worked at Universal Pictures[1] and Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment.[2][3][4] The website states that these are not necessarily "the best" screenplays, but rather "the most liked", since it is based on a survey of studio and production company executives.[5]

Of the approximately 1,000 screenplays The Black List has included since 2005, nearly a third have been later produced as theatrical films, including successful and award-winning examples such as Argo,[6] American Hustle, Juno,[7] The King's Speech, Slumdog Millionaire,[8] Spotlight, The Revenant, The Descendants, and Hell or High Water. The produced films have together grossed over $25 billion, and have been nominated for 241 Academy Awards and 205 Golden Globe Awards, winning 48 and 40, respectively.[9] As of the 92nd Academy Awards, three of the last 10 best picture Oscars went to scripts featured on a previous Black List, as well as nine of the last 20 screenwriting Oscars (Original and Adapted Screenplays). In addition, writers whose scripts are listed often find that they are more readily hired for other jobs, even if their listed screenplays still have not been produced, such as Jim Rash and Nat Faxon, two of the writers of the Oscar-winning screenplay of The Descendants, who had an earlier screenplay make the list.[3] Slate columnist David Haglund has written that the list's reputation as a champion for "beloved but challenging" works has been overstated, since "these are screenplays that are already making the Hollywood rounds. And while, as a rule, they have not yet been produced, many of them are already in production."[10]

On January 27, 2019, it was announced at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival in Park City that the LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD has partnered with The Black List to create The GLAAD List, a new curated list of the most promising unmade LGBTQ-inclusive scripts in Hollywood. [11]

History[]

The Black List live script reading at ATX Television Festival 2018: Moderator Franklin Leonard, Matt Lauria, James Lafferty, Jason George, Katherine Willis, Taylor Dearden, Nick Wechsler, Tyrel Jackson Williams and

The first Black List was compiled in 2005 by Franklin Leonard, at the time working as a development executive for Leonardo DiCaprio's production company, Appian Way Productions. He emailed about 75 fellow development executives and asked them to name the ten best unproduced screenplays they read that year.[12] To thank them for participating, he compiled the list and sent it to the respondents. The name The Black List was a nod to his heritage as an African American man, and also as a subtle reference to the writers who were barred during the McCarthy era as part of the Hollywood blacklist.[13]

The screenplays to top The Black List, from 2005 to 2020 respectively, are: Things We Lost in the Fire; The Brigands of Rattleborge; Recount; The Beaver; The Muppet Man; College Republicans; The Imitation Game; Draft Day; Holland, Michigan; Catherine the Great; Bubbles; Blond Ambition; Ruin; Frat Boy Genius; Move On; and Headhunter.

Structure[]

The Black List tallies the number of "likes" various screenplays have been given by development executives. Screenplays are ranked based on how many likes each of them get. The most likes received by a single screenplay is The Imitation Game, with 133 upon topping the 2011 list; it went on to win the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Films on the Black List[]

Main article: List of produced films included in The Black List

More than 400 screenplays have been put into production after appearing on The Black List. These include:[14][15]

2005 Black List[]

(120/286 screenplays have been put in production)

  • One Percent More Humid (2017)
  • 21 (2008)
  • The American (2010) (Then titled A Very Private Gentleman; screenplay listed is by Laura Harrington)
  • All God's Children Can Dance (2009) (Then titled K-Town Super Frog)
  • Altered Carbon (2018-2020) (Adapted to Television)
  • Anonymous (2011) (Then titled Soul of the Age)
  • Armored (2009)
  • Babel (2006)
  • Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach (2009)
  • Black Snake Moan (2006)
  • Blades of Glory (2007)
  • Blind (2016)
  • Blood Diamond (2006)
  • Breach (2007)
  • The Brothers Solomon (2007)
  • The Bucket List (2007)
  • Carnival Row (2019)[16] (Then titled A Killing on Carnival Row; Adapted to Television)
  • Chapter 27 (2007)
  • Charlie Wilson's War (2007)
  • Charlie Bartlett (2007)
  • Cougars, Inc. (2011) (Then titled Mother's Little Helpers)
  • Dan in Real Life (2007)
  • Dangerous Parking (2007)
  • Dark Around the Stars (2013) (Then titled Stars)
  • Death at a Funeral (2010)
  • Delirium (2018) (Then titled Home)
  • Dexter (2006–2013) (Adapted to Television)
  • Disturbia (2007)
  • The Dirt (2019)
  • Dream House (2011)
  • Eight Below (2006) (Then titled Antarctica)
  • Ender's Game (2013)
  • The Expendables (2010) (Then titled Barrow)
  • Factory Girl (2006)
  • Fanboys (2009)
  • The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
  • The Forger (2014)
  • Freedomland (2006)
  • Fur (2006)
  • The Game Plan (2007) (Then titled Daddy's Little Girl)
  • Get Low (2009)
  • The Good Lie (2014) (Then titled Lost Boys of Sudan)
  • A Good Old Fashioned Orgy (2011)
  • Hall Pass (2011)
  • Hancock (2008) (Then titled Tonight, He Comes)
  • Harold (2008)
  • The Hawk Is Dying (2006)
  • The Highwaymen (2019)
  • The Hoax (2006)
  • Horrible Bosses (2011)
  • Hot Rod (2007)
  • The Hunting Party (2007) (Then titled Spring Break in Bosnia)
  • Infamous (2006)
  • In Secret (2013) (Then titled Terese Raquin)
  • Juno (2007)
  • Killer Elite (2011)
  • King of California (2007)
  • The Kingdom (2007)
  • The Kite Runner (2007)
  • Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
  • The Ledge (2011)
  • Legendary (2010) (Then titled Oxley's Road)
  • Life After Beth (2014) (Then titled Winged Life)
  • The Life Before Her Eyes (2007) (Then titled In Bloom)
  • Little Children (2006)
  • Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
  • Love in the Time of Cholera (2007)
  • Lucky Number Slevin (2006)
  • The Maiden Heist (2009) (Then titled Lonely Maiden)
  • Mama's Boy (2007)
  • Margaret (2011)
  • Married Life (2007) (Then titled Marriage)
  • Meet Bill (2007) (Then titled Bill)
  • Meet Dave (2008) (Then titled Starship Dave)
  • Message from the King (2016)
  • Michael Clayton (2007)
  • A Million Little Pieces (2019)
  • The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)
  • The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (2008)
  • Nacho Libre (2006)
  • Nebraska (2013)
  • Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008)
  • Not Another Happy Ending (2013) (Then titled Happy Endings)
  • Notes on a Scandal (2006)
  • The Number 23 (2007)
  • The Only Living Boy in New York (2017)
  • The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
  • Pathfinder (2007)
  • Passengers (2008)
  • Peacock (2010)
  • Post Grad (2009) (Then titled Ticket to Ride)
  • The Prestige (2006)
  • The Proposal (2009)
  • The Promotion (2008)
  • The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
  • Pu-239 (2006)
  • Quid Pro Quo (2008)
  • The Queen (2006)
  • Reservation Road (2007)
  • Righteous Kill (2008)
  • The Sasquatch Gang (2006) (Then titled The Sasquatch Dumpling Gang)
  • Stardust (2007)
  • The Starling (2021)
  • Stop-Loss (2008)
  • Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006–2007) (Then titled Studio 7)
  • The Ten (2007)
  • Tenure (2009)
  • Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)
  • The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)
  • Turistas (2006)
  • Under the Skin (2013)
  • Wanted (2008)
  • We Are Marshall (2006)
  • The Whistleblower (2010)
  • Wild Hogs (2007)
  • The Words (2012)
  • World Trade Center (2006)
  • X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
  • The Year of Getting to Know Us (2008)
  • Youth in Revolt (2009)
  • Zodiac (2007)

2006 Black List[]

(40/87 screenplays have been put into production)

2007 Black List[]

  • The Answer Man (2009)
  • Adventureland (2009)
  • All Good Things (2010)
  • Big Eyes (2014)
  • Blindness (2008)
  • Blitz (2008)
  • Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
  • The Book of Eli (2010)
  • The Book of Love (2016)
  • Burn After Reading (2008)
  • Burnt (2015)
  • Charlie Countryman (2013)
  • Clash of the Titans (2010)
  • Dear John (2010)
  • Demolition (2015)
  • Dirty Girl (2010)
  • Doubt (2008)
  • The Duchess (2008)
  • Duplicity (2009)
  • Eagle Eye (2008)
  • Felt (2017)
  • Genius (2016)
  • The Hangover (2009)
  • Happy. Thank You. More. Please. (2010)
  • Hitchcock (2012)
  • How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008)
  • The Ides of March (2011)
  • The Invention of Lying (2009)
  • Invictus (2009)
  • Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) (Then titled Dubai)
  • Jennifer's Body (2009)
  • Justice League (2017)
  • Last Chance Harvey (2008)
  • Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982–1992 (2017)
  • Love & Other Drugs (2010)
  • Management (2009)
  • Never Let Me Go (2010)
  • Orphan (2009)
  • Passengers (2016)
  • Recount (2008)
  • The Revenant (2015)
  • The Road (2009)
  • Salt (2010)
  • Selma (2014)
  • Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
  • Source Code (2011)
  • The Town (2010)
  • Valkyrie (2008)
  • The Wackness (2008)
  • The Way, Way Back (2013)
  • Whip It (2009)
  • The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
  • World War Z (2012)
  • The Wrestler (2008)
  • Yes Man (2008)
  • Zombieland (2009)

2008 Black List[]

(39/105 screenplays have been put into production)

  • 47 Ronin (2013)
  • 50/50 (2011) (Then titled I’m With Cancer)
  • A.C.O.D. (2013) (Then titled ACOD: Adult Children of Divorce)
  • All I Wish (2017) (Then titled A Little Something for Your Birthday)
  • Bachelorette (2012)
  • The Back-up Plan (2010) (Then titled Plan B)
  • Bad Teacher (2011)
  • The Beaver (2011)
  • Broken City (2013)
  • Butter (2011)
  • Child 44 (2015)
  • Cop Out (2010) (Then titled A Couple of Dicks)
  • Date and Switch (2014) (Then titled Gay Dude)
  • The Debt (2010)
  • The Descendants (2011)
  • Easy A (2010)
  • Everything Must Go (2010)
  • The F Word (2013) (Then titled The F-Word)
  • Foxcatcher (2014)
  • The Fourth Kind (2009)
  • Going the Distance (2010)
  • Hope Springs (2012) (Then Untitled Vanessa Taylor Project)
  • Inglourious Basterds (2009)
  • Killing Season (2013) (Then titled Shrapnel)
  • London Boulevard (2010)
  • Lovelace (2013) (Then titled Inferno: A Linda Lovelace Story; screenplay listed is by Matt Wilder)
  • No Strings Attached (2011) (Then titled Fuckbuddies)
  • Nowhere Boy (2009)
  • The Oranges (2011)
  • Our Brand Is Crisis (2015)
  • Out of the Furnace (2013) (Then titled The Low Dweller)
  • Remember Me (2010) (Then titled Memoirs)
  • Sherlock Holmes (2009)
  • Sleeping Beauty (2011)
  • Unlocked (2017)
  • Up in the Air (2009)
  • What's Your Number? (2011) (Then titled Twenty Times a Lady)
  • Worth (2020) (Then titled What Is Life Worth?)

2009 Black List[]

(42/97 screenplays have been put into production)

2010 Black List[]

(44/76 screenplays have been put into production)

  • Abduction (2011)
  • Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)
  • American Hustle (2013) (Then titled American Bullshit)
  • Argo (2012)
  • ATM (2012)
  • Better Living Through Chemistry (2014)
  • The Butler (2013)
  • Can You Keep a Secret? (2019) (Screenplay listed is by Megan Martin)
  • Chronicle (2012)
  • Cinema Verite (2011)
  • Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
  • Danny Collins (2015) (Then titled Imagine)
  • Die in a Gunfight (2021)
  • Edge of Tomorrow (2014) (Then titled All You Need Is Kill; screenplay listed is by Dante Harper)
  • Everly (2014)
  • Freaks of Nature (2015) (Then titled Kitchen Sink)
  • Fun Size (2012)
  • Gangster Squad (2013) (Then titled LA REX)
  • Get a Job (2016)
  • Gold (2016)(2018)
  • The Hunger Games (2012) (Then titled Hunger Games)
  • The Impossible (2012)
  • Jackie (2016) (Then titled The Last Son of Isaac LeMay)
  • The Last Witch Hunter (2015)
  • Lola Versus (2012)
  • Looper (2012)
  • Margin Call (2011)
  • Murder of a Cat (2014)
  • One Day (2011)
  • Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) (Then titled Oz: The Great and Powerful)
  • People Like Us (2012) (Then titled Welcome to People)
  • Paint (TBA)
  • Prom (2011)
  • Safe House (2012)
  • Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015) (Then titled Boy Scouts vs. Zombies)
  • Search Party (2014) (Then titled Road to Nardo)
  • Serena (2014)
  • Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
  • Stoker (2013)
  • That Awkward Moment (2014) (Then titled Are We Officially Dating?)
  • Triple 9 (2016) (Then titled 999)
  • What Happened to Monday (2017) (Then titled What Happened to Monday?)

2011 Black List[]

2012 Black List[]

2013 Black List[]

2014 Black List[]

2015 Black List[]

2016 Black List[]

2017 Black List[]

2018 Black List[]

2019 Black List[]

2020 Black List[]

(2/80 screenplays have been put into production)[17]

  • Emergency (TBA)
  • Forever Holds Your Peace (TBA)
  • I.S.S. (TBA)

References[]

  1. ^ Sperling, Nicole (December 10, 2008). "The Black List: How Hollywood's Buzziest Scripts Get Their Juice". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  2. ^ Sperling, Nicole (September 19, 2012). "Black List founder Franklin Leonard out at Overbrook Entertainment". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Geoff Edgars, "Hollywood’s talent pool" Archived 2012-05-03 at the Wayback Machine, Boston Globe, February 23, 2012.
  4. ^ Dodes, Rachel. "For Budding Screenwriters, a Way Past the Studio Gates". WSJ. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  5. ^ Nicole Sperling, "A 'Black List' that's a career boost", Los Angeles Times, December 13, 2011.
  6. ^ Finke, Nikki. "The Black List 2010: Screenplay Roster". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  7. ^ Nicole Sperling, "The Black List: How Hollywood's Buzziest Scripts Get Their Juice", Entertainment Weekly, December 10, 2008.
  8. ^ Ben Child, "Hollywood's 'Black List' of best unproduced scripts of 2011 revealed", The Guardian, December 13, 2011.
  9. ^ "Black List Films". The Black List. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
  10. ^ David Haglund, "The Mostly Dull-Sounding Screenplays on This Year’s 'Black List'", Slate, December 13, 2011.
  11. ^ "Sundance: GLAAD and The Black List Join Forces to Promote LGBTQ Screenplays". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  12. ^ Vox (2017-09-14), How an underground script list changed movies, retrieved 2017-09-14
  13. ^ "Franklin Leonard's Black List can help green-light screenplays". Los Angeles Times. 2014-12-15. Retrieved 2014-12-15.
  14. ^ "The Black List" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-01-31. Retrieved 2016-01-31.
  15. ^ "Michael Jackson Chimp Script 'Bubbles' Tops Black List". Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  16. ^ "Watch Carnival Row - Season 1 | Prime Video". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  17. ^ Lindahl, Chris (December 14, 2020). "The 2020 Black List Presents the Year's Best Unproduced Scripts". IndieWire. Retrieved February 27, 2021.

External links[]

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