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Having worked together in 1997 on science fiction drama Contact, producer Lynda Obst and theoretical physicist Kip Thorne came up with an idea for a movie about “the most exotic events in the universe” and wrote a treatment for a story called Interstellar.
In 1997, 22 year old USC graduate Richard Kelly wrote his first screenplay. Completing it in 28 days, it was set in 1988, influenced by the teachings of Stephen Hawking, and told a story of a schizophrenic young man who travels through time. He called it Donnie Darko.
In 1981, James Cameron was a former special effects artist who had been promoted to direct his first feature film – Piranha II: The Spawning. The young filmmaker didn’t last long, reportedly getting fired after just 2 weeks. It wasn’t a waste of time, though…
Django Unchained (2012) and The Blue Boy (c. 1770) by Thomas Gainsborough
In 1965, Frank Herbert’ science fiction novel Dune was published. A future-set epic of interstellar travel and warfare, it became an instant, award-winning classic. Herbert considered his book unfilmable, but that didn’t stop film studios taking an interest.
In 1996, Chuck Palahniuk’s debut novel was published. The story of an unnamed protagonist who suffers severe insomnia, befriends the mysterious Tyler Duerden, and sets up an underground cult, the book was called Fight Club, and it was an instant hit.
Following the success of his debut feature Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino decided to use the $50,000 he’d earned productively. He took himself on a 3-month trip to Amsterdam, the idea being it would be part-vacation, part-screenwriting session.
In 2002, Hong Kong action thriller Infernal Affairs was released. Directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, it is the story of two police officers – one a triad spy, the other undercover in the triads. It was a huge hit and spawned two sequels a year later.
In 1953, author Ian Fleming published a book based on his experiences in British naval intelligence during WWII. The novel was called Casino Royale and the main character was secret agent James Bond, codenamed 007. It was a hit, and studios were interested immediately.
In the early 1990s, filmmaker Frank Darabont was in a rut of “horror movie after horror movie” having written A Nightmare on Elm St 3, The Blob remake, and The Fly 2. Looking for a different challenge, he came across King’s Different Seasons, a short story collection.
During production of The Color Of Money in 1985, Scorsese found himself reading Wise Guy, a non-fiction book about a real-life New York mobster named Henry Hill. Having grown up in Little Italy, Scorsese found the subject matter relatable.
Following a falling out with his regular studio partner Warner Bros in the early 1950s, Alfred Hitchcock was a director in demand. Paramount made a move, asking Hitchcock if he was interested in After Dinner Story, a short story collection they’d bought the rights to.
In 1934, Australian-British writer P. L. travers published her latest novel. The first in a series of 8 children’s books, it was called Mary Poppins, and told the tale of a magical English nanny. The book was a roaring success, getting the attention of Hollywood studios.
After the success of World War II epic Dunkirk in 2017, Nolan was looking for a return to the kind of mind-bending science fiction film that helped make his name. The idea that intrigued him most was a time-travel concept he’d been grappling with for about 20 years.
In 1900, author L. Frank Baum published his latest book. A children’s fantasy called The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, it would sit at the top of best-seller lists for over two years, and spawn thirteen sequels. The film industry was in its infancy, but took notice.
In 1982, acclaimed horror author Stephen King published a collection of four dramatic novellas called Different Seasons. It included Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, Apt Pupil, Breathing Method and The Body. It wasn’t long before Hollywood came calling…
In 1969, while working as a 19-year-old production assistant on Kelly’s Heroes in Yugoslavia, aspiring filmmaker John Landis came across a group of Romani people burying a man. This gave him the idea of making a film about the undead rising from the grave.
Following his first three films – Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown – Quentin Tarantino was the hottest filmmaker in Hollywood. In 1998, he started writing his next film which he planned as a World War II drama.
Following the success of Monty Python and the Holy Grail in 1976, another film featuring the British comedy troupe was always on the cards and, when promoting Holy Grail in Amsterdam, two of the Pythons – Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam – came up with an idea.
In 1993, writer Christopher McQuarrie and director Bryan Singer collaborated on drama Public Access. Thinking of their next project, McQuarrie read a magazine article titled “The Usual Suspects”. He even had an idea for a poster and a tagline: “All of you can go to hell.”
John Milius wrote the original script for Apocalypse Now in 1969. He was partly inspired to write about Vietnam from his frustration at never fighting in a war. He volunteered for the Marine Corps but was rejected because of his asthma.
