The next GALAHAD? -- "MEDIEVAL"

[EJ Pennypacker]

Medieval's story (http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/03/03/medieval-script-sells-to-new-regency-mcg-not-confirmed/) is described as The Dirty Dozen set in medieval times. It's been called a "badass script" about seven imprisoned men - a gypsy, a thief, a samurai, a knight, a monk, an Arab and a Viking. New Regency is hoping to spin it into a "hyper-realistic action movie similar to Zack Snyder's 300.

Sounds great.

EJ

[doubler83]

Anybody gets their hands on this, I'd be interested in reading it. :D

[thought_arcade]

This drives me nuts. I pitched a modern retelling of the King Arthur story that was Ferris Beuller's Day off meets Lord of the Rings. My manager was against it, saying it was too uncommercial.

I think it was the most commercial thing I've ever pitched. Grr.

And now, not one but *two* King Arthur based scripts are on the '08 Blacklist.

*le sigh*

[aaron_c]

"$800,000 against $1.6 million "

Dang.

[doubler83]

"$800,000 against $1.6 million "

Dang.

Nice if you can get it. :D

[Han Shot First]

You're pissed? How about the guy who sold Galahad a year ago and didn't get even close to that?

Sucker :cool:

[thought_arcade]

You're pissed? How about the guy who sold Galahad a year ago and didn't get even close to that?

Sucker :cool:

I was about to say "fair enough", but ain't nothing about this fair :)

[JonnyAtlas]

Anybody gets their hands on this, I'd be interested in reading it. :D
Ditto.

[Terrance Mulloy]

You're pissed? How about the guy who sold Galahad a year ago and didn't get even close to that?

Sucker :cool:

Heh. ;)

[Terrance Mulloy]

This drives me nuts. I pitched a modern retelling of the King Arthur story that was Ferris Beuller's Day off meets Lord of the Rings. My manager was against it, saying it was too uncommercial.

I think it was the most commercial thing I've ever pitched. Grr.

And now, not one but *two* King Arthur based scripts are on the '08 Blacklist.

*le sigh*

I spoke to someone who read it the other day before it sold. Apparently, it's amazing.

[Why One]

Anybody gets their hands on this, I'd be interested in reading it. :D
Ditto.

Double-ditto :D

[ScriptShadow]

Interesting idea. Interesting enough where I'm wondering if the idea itself was the reason for the sale (in other words: who cares about the execution. We'll take care of that later). But I'm keeping an eye out for this one.

[Development Hell]

MEDIEVAL is floating around

[zenplato]

Just finished reading this...

It's a fun script. Definitely keeps you turning the page.

My biggest problem is the historical inaccuracies. I guess as a history buff, it's just annoys the crap out of me.

But other than that, besides some cheesy action lines or dialogue...pretty darn entertaining.

[EJ Pennypacker]

Thanks for the review zen. Anyone else read it and want to chime in?

EJ

[Shot Across the Bow]

Very fun read. My kind of movie. Glib at times, in both the dialogue and action lines, but that's okay. Also, the dialogue is quite modern, which I could see turning some people off.

I enjoyed Galahad a bit more. That script felt reminiscent of George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, with Galahad as Ned Stark, Lancelot as Jaime Lannister and Guinivere as Cersei Lannister. A dark, gritty murder mystery. Not in a bad way, the two works are plenty different, but the shockingly brutal tone exists in both.

[PainTed]

It's definitely a fun read. A lot of dialogue is out of place. It sometimes seems almost too much like a cartoon..

Seemed too long as well. A lot of three and four line descriptions could have been one or two. I guess when you have a good premise and writing, things that new writers are told not to do isn't as important.

[GreatOz]

I didn't like the modern dialogue -- kept reminding me of A Knight's Tale in that regard, which I couldn't stand. I had to look at it like a fantasy -- I couldn't see a group like that really being together in medieval times. Very brutal.

I'm sure the attachments had something to do with the sale price.

Cool twist at the end though. Very cool.

[Terrance Mulloy]

Gave this a crack last night. Loved it. Was a lot of fun. This was right up my alley. The writing really reminded me of something Kyle Ward would bang out. Great, over-the-top action and dialogue.

[nDanger]

I'd love to read this if anyone can send me a copy. Thanks.

[Biohazard]

I don't like this script's feel of "I'm just so damn cool, look at how cool I am!". I had to stop reading because I'm nowhere near as cool as this script.

[Terrance Mulloy]

If you guys are still looking - PM me.

[madyellowduck]

Into the first 30. And already it screams 'SOLD ON CONCEPT'.

Not sure the Shane Black-Scott Rosenberg 'nudge wink' to reader style works for me. Seems to just make up for the fact that the language and tone is completely off, and the characters are in some instances, terribly distorted. (the Samurai in particular)

But admittedly, it's a rollicking read, even with the glaring 'issues'.

[lucidimage]

Into the first 30. And already it screams 'SOLD ON CONCEPT'.

Not sure the Shane Black-Scott Rosenberg 'nudge wink' to reader style works for me.

Terrance was nice enough to share the script with me, I'm kind of on the same page with you mad. Its a great concept- fun action. I would watch it if it hit theatres today...

But the writing style seemed to "break a lot of rules", yet it sold. Hmmm. I'm torn on my thoughts of it script wise. It obviously worked, not questioning that- just questioning how us as writers should look at this as a lesson.

Usually you can find a script that has sold, read it- and walk away with some lesson you learned as to why it sold. A lesson you can try to apply to your own writing. With this script, all I can think of is concept? Not sure I would advise writers to follow its style, unless they are as sold on their concept as these guys.

[qualitycontrol]

This script sucks.

[Biohazard]

This script sucks.

I don't know if it sucks, but it's definitely proof-positive that you do not need a good script to make a sale. You simply need to find a buyer who likes your script.

[Terrance Mulloy]

I enjoyed it - but apart from being set in the middle ages - it's absolutely nothing like Galahad. That script is in a league of its own.

Medieval was fun - I suspect that's why it sold. Plus the writing was fun to read.

[qualitycontrol]

It could've used a time machine.

[sherbetbizarre]

And a Hot Tub.

[madyellowduck]

But the writing style seemed to "break a lot of rules", yet it sold. Hmmm. I'm torn on my thoughts of it script wise. It obviously worked, not questioning that- just questioning how us as writers should look at this as a lesson.

Usually you can find a script that has sold, read it- and walk away with some lesson you learned as to why it sold. A lesson you can try to apply to your own writing. With this script, all I can think of is concept? Not sure I would advise writers to follow its style, unless they are as sold on their concept as these guys.

- I think it's a great lesson on concept! I mean as an idea, it's ELEPHANT BALLS in size and audacity. The writing style doesn't work for me but it might work for the reader/execs at New Regency. And in all honesty, there are a million and one reasons why a spec sells irregardless of the writing standard or quality. I'm reading a little slow (not cause it's slow) and only 45 pages in and there are things I admire about it. Complex idea yet expressed very simply. Good action writing that sort of keeps you moving through the pages and gets your imagination juiced without spelling out every cut slam and slice/dice (almost like saying - hey Mr Fight Choreographer, we want it to look like THIS - you take care of the rest).

- yeah but the novellistic talk to the reader style is something that sometimes cuts ice, sometimes doesn't.

- I think style wise, it's stylistic but not necessarily hugely original in it's style. And there are points where it reads forced (almost a little arrogant). But it paid off for the writers.

- But almost certainly the characters are appallingly designed, written with little regard for culture or history (almost sort of typical barbaric american in a sense) and the dialogue is definitely super-cheesy. And the mixing of modern with medieval should rankle but hey, they'll probably get a dialogue pro to come in and fix that later.

[qualitycontrol]

The script takes place from 1147 AD (second crusades) until the what, mid-1500's? Not to mention, there's no way all those cultures would be together like that, by 1147 the Vikings were died out, and nobody in Europe would see a Samurai until like what, 1800's? I could go on, and on, and on but I won't. Also the writing style was annoying and all the lines seemed to be lifted from other movies. This is garbage stew. This'll be worse than "Dungeons & Dragons."

[12916studios]

I think one has to look at it from a kind of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" aspect. Obviously, that movie was completely nuts... I'm fairly certain it did not take history seriously. Neither does this, apparently. Granted, I am only on page ate. So far I am enjoying it quite a bit.

I quite like the writing of the action. Very stylized, I think. It's amusing, and it's fun.

ETA:

Gotten a little further... It's certainly a very risky way to write. There's a lack of seriousness to it. On page 14 the writer fully addresses the reader with "you". According to everything I know...that is a HUGE no-no. But it works.

The writer sets up a very informal tone/style. I have done that before on college essays, which is also a very big no-no. But if it is done well and done right, it can be very effective, and very engrossing. The few times I have done it I pulled it off, but it's something I must admit I would not consider doing for a script. Well, maybe I would. But it would be a huge risk.

I have to give the writer props for doing it and doing it damn well. Those who dislike his writing...well to bad...he's laughing his ass off all the way to the bank. And once he buys that in-ground pool he's always wanted, he can sit on his butt in an inflatable chair in his brand-new pool...and write with the exact same style as much he pleases. Because he got payed...

[qualitycontrol]

I have to give the writer props for doing it and doing it damn well. Those who dislike his writing...well to bad...he's laughing his ass off all the way to the bank. And once he buys that in-ground pool he's always wanted, he can sit on his butt in an inflatable chair in his brand-new pool...and write with the exact same style as much he pleases. Because he got payed...

Actually, I don't have a problem with tongue and cheek action lines. I do it often too, although not as much as these two writers.

My problems really are: story and sense of place (as well as time.)

[Landis26]

Does anyone know if Medieval was the original title?

I heard it was called something else.

[gs1979]

If one reads Lethal weapon...(as well as PLENTY of other scripts)... one realizes that all rules can be broken, however it only works if... and there's a giant IF ... you have a very interesting/compelling story to tell/ have a great writing style and a fresh voice etc etc... This script might not be historically accurate and/or may have endless problems/holes etc etc... but it sold and it sold for a lot of money.

Yes, scripts sell for many different reasons... some which are mind-blowing and heart-braking to struggling writers... but I think, in my eyes at least, (trying to put myself in the Executive's shoes here for a sec) they probably thought this was a fresh take on the typical action/heist movie. And as Boski usually says -- Concept was King here. The Prod. Co. took a chance... we'll see if it pays off. I believe that if the story is interesting enough and is executed well, certain story issues can (to some extent) be forgiven since they can always do a re-write later on.

We'll see how many years of development hell this bad-boy will have to endure before getting anywhere near celluloid.:devil:

[Lincoln Lass]

The title MEDIEVAL is a bit misleading if you’re expecting a historical epic. The story is set in an undefined fantasy world and practically the only thing that ties it to the medieval period is the name-dropping at the end. I preferred THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR, which from its opening page does have a strong sense of time and place despite the fantastical nature of its plot.

The action sequences are vividly written, but maybe because I wasn’t fully engaged with the characters, after a while it felt like watching someone else play a video game.

The final twist is pretty cool, but then when I thought about it for more than a second my reaction was – that’s an insanely risky course of action to achieve an objective that was seemingly there for the taking anyway.

All about personal taste though. These guys have written a script that has got people excited and earned them megabucks. Good luck to them.

[doubler83]

What's with the sudden interest in these Arthurian legend scripts?

Galahad, Medieval, Roundtable, now Excalibur. Supposedly a script titled Pendragon was snuck out over the weekend.

Very cool, but very strange. :D

[EJ Pennypacker]

Ryan has a lot of explaining to do! lol

EJ

[Geoff Alexander]

What's with the sudden interest in these Arthurian legend scripts?

Galahad, Medieval, Roundtable, now Excalibur. Supposedly a script titled Pendragon was snuck out over the weekend.

Very cool, but very strange. :D

And none of them will get made, IMO.

[Tom72]

Why not? Because of audience preferences, budget concerns, or concept?

[Biohazard]

What's with the sudden interest in these Arthurian legend scripts?

Galahad, Medieval, Roundtable, now Excalibur. Supposedly a script titled Pendragon was snuck out over the weekend.

Very cool, but very strange. :D

I commented on this at 2A. Strange indeed.

I'm sure Galahad will get made. The others are too gimmicky if you ask me.

[Geoff Alexander]

I commented on this at 2A. Strange indeed.

I'm sure Galahad will get made. The others are too gimmicky if you ask me.

You're sure Galahad will get made? Why?

[DaltWisney]

There are so many factors that determine whether or not a movie gets made that I find it kind of ridiculous to make definitive statements one way or another. Unless you have a crystal ball, it's really impossible to know.

Some brilliant projects die on the vine, some linger for years before finally seeing the light of day, and sometimes utter crap that has no business being produced gets fast tracked to production because the right person happened to love it.

[Biohazard]

You're sure Galahad will get made? Why?

A gut feeling. Wishful thinking, maybe. I don't know.

Like I said, it's not gimmicky like the others. It actually reads and feels like a movie.

Plus, there's a Galahad listed on IMBD for 2010.

[Geoff Alexander]

There are so many factors that determine whether or not a movie gets made that I find it kind of ridiculous to make definitive statements one way or another. Unless you have a crystal ball, it's really impossible to know.

Some brilliant projects die on the vine, some linger for years before finally seeing the light of day, and sometimes utter crap that has no business being produced gets fast tracked to production because the right person happened to love it.

Yes, it's only an opinion and I may well be wrong, I hope I am, it's so hard getting a movie made, I applaud it pretty much any time someone does.

[Geoff Alexander]

Why not? Because of audience preferences, budget concerns, or concept?

These are only my opinions, I don't have a crystal ball, so I might well be wrong. The contemporary "versions" of the King Arthur stuff have a shot, IMO. Pendragon probably has a shot, considering who is on the project, I haven't read it so I can't comment on it. But a period piece based in Arthurian mythology? Probably not. Very expensive, a kind of movie we've seen before, borderline flops that could be considered similar. And did I mention expensive? You can't do this one for 20m, it would look like crap, so it has to be big, and do you really want to spend 100m on this? Do you even have 100m to spend? Who does these days? That's the question.

[RogerOThornhill]

These are only my opinions, I don't have a crystal ball, so I might well be wrong. The contemporary "versions" of the King Arthur stuff have a shot, IMO. Pendragon probably has a shot, considering who is on the project, I haven't read it so I can't comment on it. But a period piece based in Arthurian mythology? Probably not. Very expensive, a kind of movie we've seen before, borderline flops that could be considered similar. And did I mention expensive? You can't do this one for 20m, it would look like crap, so it has to be big, and do you really want to spend 100m on this? Do you even have 100m to spend? Who does these days? That's the question.

When I read Knights Templar, my first thoughts were that it would be very expensive to bring to the screen and that the audience for that type of film wasn't big enough for the budget necessary to do it justice. Galahad is potentially affordable, but many others are borderline at best.


R.O.T.

[Geoff Alexander]

When I read Knights Templar, my first thoughts were that it would be very expensive to bring to the screen and that the audience for that type of film wasn't big enough for the budget necessary to do it justice. Galahad is potentially affordable, but many others are borderline at best.


R.O.T.

Affordable is a relative term.

[Jules]

What is GALAHAD? :confused:

[Biohazard]

What is GALAHAD? :confused:

GALAHAD, by Ryan J. Condal
After Lady Guinevere murders King Arthur and frames his most loyal knight for the crime, the knight is forced to use the secret passages built into the walls of Camelot to evade her agents while he gathers evidence and allies to depose the false Queen.

It's a spec script that sold last year and made the Black List with 16 or some odd mentions. Written by Done Deal board member Han Shot First. And it's quite good.

[ShariMacD]

Hi, I'm new to screenwriting, and I'm surprised to hear that people are already reading newly sold scripts like Galahad and Medieval. May I ask how one gets access to new scripts like these? For someone like me who's new to screenwriting, and who wants to read widely, what's the best/most affordable way to find scripts to read (both newly sold and those that have already been made into movies)?

Thanks!

[Geoff Alexander]

GALAHAD, by Ryan J. Condal
After Lady Guinevere murders King Arthur and frames his most loyal knight for the crime, the knight is forced to use the secret passages built into the walls of Camelot to evade her agents while he gathers evidence and allies to depose the false Queen.

It's a spec script that sold last year and made the Black List with 16 or some odd mentions. Written by Done Deal board member Han Shot First. And it's quite good.

It's excellent, I agree.

[cerckl]

Hi, I'm new to screenwriting, and I'm surprised to hear that people are already reading newly sold scripts like Galahad and Medieval. May I ask how one gets access to new scripts like these? For someone like me who's new to screenwriting, and who wants to read widely, what's the best/most affordable way to find scripts to read (both newly sold and those that have already been made into movies)?

Thanks!
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=517b661d3a2a84ae8c9e7c56ba37815f8ea39ce5 bd69a7b4

Several of the people here have great lists, this is one I have gotten from a link as a signature of one of the members here (sorry, I don't remember who). Galahad is listed here.

[ShariMacD]

Thank you!

[NoNeckJoe]

From yesterday's Variety:

"Regency has kept the script hush-hush, but sources said the action brings together warriors from disparate cultures."

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118004740.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

Not sure how they've been keeping it "hush-hush" when it's gone around this site like an STD.

[Raw_and_Vital]

Ha Ha

[doubler83]

It's true, though. You want something current, your best bet is to come here. :)

[Raw_and_Vital]

Well I've been wanting Zero Theorem for over a month. Why am I not getting it!?!? Sheesh!

[Shari Hari]

With the tasty, toe-curling heat on supercool Meddy, this thread *should* be named "GALAHAD -- The next MEDIEVAL?"