High amount ever paid for a screenplay

SNAFU · 09-11-2011, 09:53 AM

Anybody know? Any background, anacdotes or links?

I heard STEINBECK'S POINT OF VIEW sold for $8M.

No idea what it's about or what made it worth so much cash.

JJBones · 09-11-2011, 10:48 AM

The price on that Steinbeck deal had to do with a number of escalating steps involving stuff like production bonus, blind deal for a second script, directing fees (or bonus for NOT directing) stuff like that. Can't remember what the guys actually got for the script... Although, I think it was in the 3 to 4 million range (could be a false memory) but pretty sure the reason they got so much is because Tom Cruise wanted to attach at the time. And other big actors were hot for it as well.

I'm sure somebody's compiled these numbers (pretty sure I've seen it somewhere) but off the top of my head: "Long Kiss Goodnight" -- Shane Black, "Deja Vu" -- Rossio and Marsilii, and "Unbreakable" -- Shymalan...

Those were all in the 4 mill or more range just for the scripts.

Course there's others that include directing fees/ profits/ etc... that probably have paid writers and particularly writer/directors more.

Rantanplan · 09-11-2011, 01:29 PM

Wikipedia puts the screenplay for TERMINATOR 3 at over 5 M and the script for SPIDERMAN 2 at 10 M (in both cases, story rights cost another 20 M).

Of course those weren't specs though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_budgeting#Examples

There's also a link somewhere on that page for spec sales, including the most expensive scripts that never got produced, but I can't bother to search for it.

emily blake · 09-11-2011, 01:44 PM

Huh. I always thought the screenplay for Terminator 3 was just "They run a lot and stuff blows up" written on a napkin.

SNAFU · 09-11-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emily blake

I always thought the screenplay...was just "They run a lot and stuff blows up" written on a napkin.

I heard Michael Bay gave them the napkin.

jtwg50 · 09-11-2011, 02:01 PM

Highest official recorded spec sale is $6.5 million for "Deja Vu" by Terry Rossio and Bill Marsilii. A lot of the "big spec purchases" from new writers are actually complex option deals that don't always pan out to the maximum number, or anywhere near it in some cases. This one -- which had to take into account the well-established quotes for both writers even though it was a spec -- was for a real check that will likely never be topped.

SNAFU · 09-11-2011, 02:12 PM

So pure spec deals mostly in six-figure range? [Excepting superstars like Goldman, R&E, Frank, etc.]

jtwg50 · 09-11-2011, 02:19 PM

New writers with not a lot of heat on the script typically get low-six. If it's a really hot script with lots of interest, $250-500K is pretty standard. If at least two studios really, really want it (bidding war), it's not that hard to get to 7 figures. The trick is in how the deal is actually structured and how quickly you get paid at the various steps. It's never a lump sum. And as previously noted, most deals are actually options masquerading in the trades as sales, thanks to publicists.

SNAFU · 09-11-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtwg50

typically...low-six. If it's a really hot script with lots of interest, $250-500K is pretty standard.

Wow. So...some folks here pulling serious $$$ since they are selling.

Plus assignments, which I hear can be very lucrative.

Madbandit · 09-11-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emily blake

Huh. I always thought the screenplay for Terminator 3 was just "They run a lot and stuff blows up" written on a napkin.

The napkin's framed somewhere.

09-11-2011, 09:53 AM	#1
SNAFU Regular Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 272	High amount ever paid for a screenplay Anybody know? Any background, anacdotes or links? I heard STEINBECK'S POINT OF VIEW sold for $8M. No idea what it's about or what made it worth so much cash.

09-11-2011, 10:48 AM	#2
JJBones User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 160	Re: High amount ever paid for a screenplay The price on that Steinbeck deal had to do with a number of escalating steps involving stuff like production bonus, blind deal for a second script, directing fees (or bonus for NOT directing) stuff like that. Can't remember what the guys actually got for the script... Although, I think it was in the 3 to 4 million range (could be a false memory) but pretty sure the reason they got so much is because Tom Cruise wanted to attach at the time. And other big actors were hot for it as well. I'm sure somebody's compiled these numbers (pretty sure I've seen it somewhere) but off the top of my head: "Long Kiss Goodnight" -- Shane Black, "Deja Vu" -- Rossio and Marsilii, and "Unbreakable" -- Shymalan... Those were all in the 4 mill or more range just for the scripts. Course there's others that include directing fees/ profits/ etc... that probably have paid writers and particularly writer/directors more.

09-11-2011, 01:29 PM	#3
Rantanplan Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,033	Re: High amount ever paid for a screenplay Wikipedia puts the screenplay for TERMINATOR 3 at over 5 M and the script for SPIDERMAN 2 at 10 M (in both cases, story rights cost another 20 M). Of course those weren't specs though. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_budgeting#Examples There's also a link somewhere on that page for spec sales, including the most expensive scripts that never got produced, but I can't bother to search for it.

09-11-2011, 01:44 PM	#4
emily blake Moderator Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,241	Re: High amount ever paid for a screenplay Huh. I always thought the screenplay for Terminator 3 was just "They run a lot and stuff blows up" written on a napkin. __________________ www.Bambookillers.blogspot.com

09-11-2011, 02:01 PM	#6
jtwg50 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Beach, Florida Posts: 701	Re: High amount ever paid for a screenplay Highest official recorded spec sale is $6.5 million for "Deja Vu" by Terry Rossio and Bill Marsilii. A lot of the "big spec purchases" from new writers are actually complex option deals that don't always pan out to the maximum number, or anywhere near it in some cases. This one -- which had to take into account the well-established quotes for both writers even though it was a spec -- was for a real check that will likely never be topped.

09-11-2011, 02:12 PM	#7
SNAFU Regular Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 272	Re: High amount ever paid for a screenplay So pure spec deals mostly in six-figure range? [Excepting superstars like Goldman, R&E, Frank, etc.]

09-11-2011, 02:19 PM	#8
jtwg50 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Beach, Florida Posts: 701	Re: High amount ever paid for a screenplay New writers with not a lot of heat on the script typically get low-six. If it's a really hot script with lots of interest, $250-500K is pretty standard. If at least two studios really, really want it (bidding war), it's not that hard to get to 7 figures. The trick is in how the deal is actually structured and how quickly you get paid at the various steps. It's never a lump sum. And as previously noted, most deals are actually options masquerading in the trades as sales, thanks to publicists.

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