Exploring the challenges of adapting 'Blink' into a movie script with filmmaker Steve Gagan. From failed vampire love stories to pitching with Leonardo DiCaprio, the journey takes unexpected heartbreaking turns. Delve into class warfare, personal growth, and the revival of projects in Hollywood.
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Quick takeaways
Collaborating with Steve Gagan on the Blink movie script led to intense passion and effort but the project ended up stuck in 'Development Hell'.
Exploring a unique vampire love story concept for a movie script faced initial resistance but delved into themes of love, betrayal, and the supernatural.
Deep dives
Creating a Movie Script: Blink
A meeting with accomplished screenwriter Steve Gagan leads to the thrilling opportunity of turning the book BLINK into a movie about a human lie detector. Collaborating over years, they craft a brilliant script involving a character with exceptional lie-detecting abilities. However, despite their passion and efforts, the movie never gets made, leaving them in 'Development Hell'.
Unconventional Movie Concept: Vampire Love Story
Facing skepticism from Hollywood representatives, screenwriter Steve Gagan contemplates a unique vampire love story set on a Kentucky horse farm. The plot explores a forbidden romance between a veterinarian and a mysterious European, enhanced by the element of vampirism. Despite initial pushback, the concept delves into themes of love, betrayal, and the supernatural.
Financial Intrigues and Family Dynamics
The movie script evolves to focus on corporate retirees' financial exploitation, as hedge funds target companies' pension funds for profit. American Steel, a fictional company, becomes the center of a narrative intertwining family complexities and financial manipulation. Themes of betrayal, sacrifice, and ethical dilemmas emerge within the father-son dynamic.
Unexpected Turn of Events: Heath Ledger's Involvement
Unexpectedly drawn to actor Heath Ledger, Steve Gagan envisions him as the lead, shifting the project's direction and casting choice. Despite initial resistance and studio concerns, Ledger's rising fame opens doors for his involvement, sparking creative shifts. Tragically, Ledger's untimely passing halts the movie's progression, leading to heartbreak and introspection for the team.
It’s the mid-2000s, Malcolm and writer/producer Stephen Gaghan (“Traffic”, “Syriana”) are running around Hollywood pitching their scripted adaptation of Blink. This conversation starts with a failed vampire love story, takes a ride in Leonardo DiCaprio’s Prius, before making an unexpectedly heartbreaking turn that leads Stephen to walk away from the project forever.