Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

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  • Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

    So I finished a screenplay, I found out that last month the same idea (historical) was just purchased and they're shooting it to release next year. Should I bother sending this around to query? I feel robbed, or at least that it was all for not. I know at the very least this is a good writing sample, but would any agent/studio even read/have an interest in a screenplay for a movie that's already in pre-pro?
    Thanks.

  • #2
    Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

    Is the version that's shooting a large/big budget production? Is A-list attached to their project? Is your smaller in concept/execution? I would say EFF IT and just query it regardless, and hope no reps notice it's comparable project is already green lit. I would then try and get a rep interested and see what they think. Let them decide if it should go out or not. If anything, they could use it as sample like you said for OWA.

    EJ

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    • #3
      Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

      This is pretty common. Good ideas just tend to come in pairs if not triplets/quadruplets. It's happened to me AT LEAST three times and each time after an initial period of panic/regret I went ahead and finished the script and/or sent it around and it turned out that none of my fears were justified. Definitely send the script around.

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      • #4
        Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

        Unfortunately, this happens to everyone at some point or another.

        However, I will say this:

        Don't assume that your script is that similar to the other script, even if it's based on the same event, until you read that script or see the film. Yes, it just got harder to market your script, but never assume that projects are too similar based on blurbs in the trades, loglines, or trailers.

        It may just be that you have to change the way you talk about your script. Or it may not. But you don't know.

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        • #5
          Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

          This has happened to me a couple of times. I looked at my script and toyed around with ways to take the same idea and twist it around so that the comparisons were minimal. It usually ended up greatly improving the script. So see if there's a way you can rewrite out the similarities.
          Chicks Who Script podcast

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          • #6
            Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

            1. Get your hands on the other script.
            2. Destroy it. Assuming that's the only copy...you're golden.
            Write, rite, wright... until you get it RIGHT.

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            • #7
              Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

              Haha, I would love to destroy the other script. I think they want to attach Johnny Depp as the lead. This is a terrible feeling. It's like you had the winning lotto numbers, but so did someone else, they just went to cash in their ticket sooner.

              Two agencies have requested it, actually. So, I'm not gonna not send it to them. Hopefully the other film at least shows that there's a market for this story. Damn, just wish I had completed it 2 months earlier.

              Thanks for the advice/input. Sorry to hear this is such a common occurrence.

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              • #8
                Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

                Originally posted by Filmmagician View Post
                Haha, I would love to destroy the other script. I think they want to attach Johnny Depp as the lead. This is a terrible feeling. It's like you had the winning lotto numbers, but so did someone else, they just went to cash in their ticket sooner.

                Two agencies have requested it, actually. So, I'm not gonna not send it to them. Hopefully the other film at least shows that there's a market for this story. Damn, just wish I had completed it 2 months earlier.

                Thanks for the advice/input. Sorry to hear this is such a common occurrence.
                Wait, you're not going to send your script to agencies that requested it, because someone purchased or optioned a script about the same historical event? You do realize most scripts that are bought never get made right? If they have to cast and go through development with a director, their plans could fall through. Send your script to those who request. It would be absolutely, monumentally ridiculous to not send it for that reason. Let an agent decide if they can sell it, your job is to focus on the content.

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                • #9
                  Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

                  Originally posted by madworld View Post
                  Wait, you're not going to send your script to agencies that requested it, because someone purchased or optioned a script about the same historical event? You do realize most scripts that are bought never get made right? If they have to cast and go through development with a director, their plans could fall through. Send your script to those who request. It would be absolutely, monumentally ridiculous to not send it for that reason. Let an agent decide if they can sell it, your job is to focus on the content.
                  This. Times 2.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

                    Originally posted by madworld View Post
                    Wait, you're not going to send your script to agencies that requested it, because someone purchased or optioned a script about the same historical event? You do realize most scripts that are bought never get made right? If they have to cast and go through development with a director, their plans could fall through. Send your script to those who request. It would be absolutely, monumentally ridiculous to not send it for that reason. Let an agent decide if they can sell it, your job is to focus on the content.

                    He *is* going to send it to them. He just used a clunky double negative to say as much. (Not going to not = are going to.)

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                    • #11
                      Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

                      Originally posted by CthulhuRises View Post
                      He *is* going to send it to them. He just used a clunky double negative to say as much. (Not going to not = are going to.)
                      Good, my apologies for misreading. When I read it initially, I was like WHAT? My fault.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

                        Seriously though, best advice... Do your own thing. Don't worry about anything else that's going on, especially at the point you are at where you've got a finished spec that is getting agency attention. This may work out in your favor. Hell, look at this year's box office. Olympus Has Fallen and White House Down. These things happen and if the script is good it won't scare off the right parties.

                        Out of curiosity, are you looking at this as more of a sample or as a spec you want to get made? Because if it's the former, you REALLY don't have anything to worry about. Just tell the agents its a sample of what you can do.
                        Write, rite, wright... until you get it RIGHT.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

                          Haha, yes, sorry, I definitely will send the script out. I would send an agent a lung if it were to help my writing career.
                          Thanks for the advice/replies!

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                          • #14
                            Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

                            Originally posted by asteven50 View Post
                            Seriously though, best advice... Do your own thing. Don't worry about anything else that's going on, especially at the point you are at where you've got a finished spec that is getting agency attention. This may work out in your favor. Hell, look at this year's box office. Olympus Has Fallen and White House Down. These things happen and if the script is good it won't scare off the right parties.

                            Out of curiosity, are you looking at this as more of a sample or as a spec you want to get made? Because if it's the former, you REALLY don't have anything to worry about. Just tell the agents its a sample of what you can do.

                            You're right. Well I do want all my screenplays to be made, as I think any writer does... right? But if at the very least it gets me repped and assignments, then that's ideal too.

                            I've sent it to two agencies that asked to read it. Just waiting to hear back now.

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                            • #15
                              Re: Finished my script, same idea just got optioned by another writer

                              Get that sucker out there, and you might wind up being the Outbreak to their Hot Zone, the Volcano to their Dante's Peak, the Saw 2 to their Saw 3.

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