Read our making of threads, sourced direct from cast/crew or 3+ verified sources. And listen to our podcast telling "the story of Hollywood one film at a time".
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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.
In 1976, The Shootist was released. Film editor David Webb Peoples was writing screenplays in his spare time and the Johnn Wayne film inspired him to write an honest neo-western that dissected the genre whilst honouring its classic tropes.
When he was 17 years old, aspiring Australian writer Stuart Beattie took a cab from Sydney airport. That journey gave him the idea of a murderous maniac entering a normal drive’s taxi. He turned this into his first screenplay, called The Last Domino.
In the late 1990s, filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan had two titles under his belt. Drama Praying With Anger and comedy Wide Awake had been largely ignored by the box office. Shyamalan was looking for a hit, and started thinking about a film about a boy who can see ghosts.
After the success of Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes in 2001, there were plans to make a sequel that picked up where that film left off. Due to some unfavourable critic and audience feedback, and creative differences with Burton, the project was shelved.
The Fugitive was based on the 60s TV show of the same name. Producer Arnold Kopelson loved the show, and had been trying to get an adaptation off the ground since the 80s. A number of screenwriters wrote unsuccessful drafts, including Walter Hill.
In 1971, filmmaker George Lucas was at the Cannes Film Festival with his new film, THX-1138. He met the Head of United Artists – David Picker – who asked Lucas for movie ideas. Intrigued by a 60s-set coming-of-age drama, Picker agreed to pay Lucas $10k to pen a script.
After the huge success of the 4th Mission: Impossible film – Ghost Protocol – a follow up was inevitable. Paramount hired Drew Pearce to pen the script in 2013. He was then replaced in 2014 by Will Staples to carry out major revisions.
