Earlier today, the 2016 Black List was unveiled, marking the 11th year that this list of the “most-liked” unproduced screenplays has been released. The Black List is compiled from the suggestions of over 250 motion picture executives, who “contributed the names of up to ten of [their] favorite scripts that were written in, or are somehow uniquely associated with, 2016 and will not have begun principal photography during this calendar year.” This year, there were 73 scripts named to the Black List, with the top script beingBlonde Ambition, written byElyse Hollander, which is a biopic that followsMadonna’s early career. Here’s the official plot logline.
“In 1980s New York, Madonna struggles to get her frst album released while navigating fame, romance, and amusic industrythat views women as disposal.”
Blond Ambitionreceived 48 mentions from The Black List executives, easily the most of this year’s winners, with each script required to be mentioned at least six times for inclusion on the list.Elyse Hollanderhas previously written and directed a number of short films, while also serving as an assistant to directorAlejandro Gonzalez Inarrituon the Best Picture WinnerBirdman. IfBlonde Ambitiondoes get turned into a film, it will mark her feature writing debut.
There was also a three-way tie for second place on The Black List, withThis Is UsandPitchcreatorDan Fogelman’sLife Itself,Tony Trost’sThe OlympianandLiz Hannah’sThe Post, which all received 35 mentions.Life Itselfis a “multigenerationallove storythat weaves together a number of characters whose lives intersect over the course of decades from the streets of New York to the Spanish countryside and back.“The Olympiantells the true story of a rower trying to make the U.S. Olympic rowing team in 1984, whileThe Postfollows the Washington Post’s coverage of The Pentagon Papers, as “Washington Post scion Katharine Graham and legendary editor Ben Bradlee overcame their differences to publish the story that would change their lives.”
Other notable inclusions areVoyagers(28 mentions) fromZach Dean(Deadfall), following the “cosmic love story ofCarl SaganandAnn Druyane” and anUntitled Lax Mandis ProjectfromSeth Spector(22 mentions), which is an obvious reference to controversial screenwriterMax Landis. The story follows “a frustrated film exec at odds with the state of his industry (who) is forced to work with the one person who is making him question everything.“San Andreas 2andNow You See Me 3writersNeil WidenerandGavin Jamesalso made this year’s list withBattle of Alcatraz, which follows a plan to escape from Alcatraz that turns into a hostage crisis that pits “armoed prisoners against US Army troops for two full days.”
Iron Man 3andMission: Impossible Rogue NationwriterDrew Pearcealso landed on this year’s list withHotel Artemis, which is set in a “riot-torn, near-future Los Angeles.” The story follows six people who become trapped for a night at the Hotel Artemis, “a secret, members-only emergency room for criminals.” There have been a number of critically-acclaimed films that have been made from scripts that appeared on The Black List, such asArgo,American Hustle,Juno,The King’s Speech,Slumdog Millionaire,SpotlightandThe Revenant, just to name a few. You can take a look at the entire list at The Black List website.
