Hi!

I have a question for anybody in the know.

If the studios are certain that they have a potential blockbuster on their hands, how much would the studios pay for this script?

I'll give an example; lets say The Matrix series or The Passion Of The Christ. A movie that has the potential to break the 300 million dollar mark.

Thank you. Your response is greatly appreciated.

It's all in the power of negotiating.  

A studio may offer 25-50000 for a script if you're not a WGA Member, but you may want to get WGA minimum, which is based on budget, and somewhere in the range of 55,000 for a script budgeted from 1.2 to 5 mil, and about 115,000 for a budget of 5 million and above.  Someone can provide the actual numbers if they remember them off hand.

An agent may ask for 2 or 3x the WGA minimum and get it.  

Those numbers are surprising low.  Whatever happen to the two million dollars screenplay?

It seems like it's more lucrative to write novels, and have the studios bid for the rights to the novels.

Thanks for your response.

There are people who can swing that kind of money for a script, but more often than not they're already established or have a script that an agent has managed to incite a huge bidding war on.

Akiva Goldsman is getting 4 million to write the DaVinci Code sequel, and his reputation isn't exactly reeking of quality.

You want big money?  Get your name out there with shorts or by accepting lower pay for a feature,  or get an agent who can sell the crap out of your HIGH CONCEPT script.

As far as books go....I don't think they're any more lucrative than screenplays.

While books aren't anymore lucrative than movies, it's easier to sell a manuscript than a movie script. A scriptwriter's salary dpends on the writer's track record, how good his agent is and the movie's budget.

Notice how I didn't include the quality of the script.


Phil

I'm sorry, this is completely off topic but I couldn't help noticing Mike's mention of a DaVinci Code sequel?? Are they seriously doing a sequel??

Quoted from Acroname I'm sorry, this is completely off topic but I couldn't help noticing Mike's mention of a DaVinci Code sequel?? Are they seriously doing a sequel??

Notice how I didn't include the quality of the script.


Phil

Is it a Da Vinci Code sequel or Angels and Demons because that carries on the same character.

It's Angels and Demons but they're changing it to fit as a sequel to the Da Vinci Code, even though the book is a prequel. Well, actually the book is a complete standalone adventure, but it was written and released before DVC. It's a terrible idea if you ask me. Slightly off topic, but the question was asked.

Also, Alex Garland got 2 million for writing his draft of The Halo Movie. Now that's on hold I wonder if Universal regret paying him so much for a movie that isn't gonna be made any time soon lol.


Cheers, Chismeister.

Angel's and Demons is going to be awesome if you ask me. I liked the book more than DVC. Sorry for the offtopicness...

A couple of scripts copy we read in school actually had the figures still written on the first page, from where it was sold.

I remember Courage under Fire sold for 1.5 mill.  Can't remember the other one but it was 1.3 or 1.4 mill.