Update (7/31/19 – 4:45PM):
As if this spec couldn’t get any hotter, 18 bidders are now in the mix! Studios and streamers of the sorts have entered including Netflix, Legendary, Blumhouse, and Village Roadshow.
Original:
As if LA wasn’t hot enough this week, the spec package DON’T WORRY DARLING is burning up the market as it heads to countless studios and streaming services all over town in what’s looking to be the biggest spec sale of 2019! Olivia Wilde is attached to direct and star following with her Booksmart partner-in-crime, Katie Silberman, coming aboard to rewrite. The project has Vertigo Entertainment’s Roy Lee set to produce along with duo.
Described as a psychological thriller for the Time’s Up era, the original spec comes from writers Carey and Shane Van Dyke, who most recently wrote The Silence. On the producing side, Lee has been responsible for massive franchises such as The Grudge, The Ring, The Lego Movie, and the most recent reboot of It to name a few. You’ve probably seen his name in the trades the last few weeks, as Lee has been on a fire with a number of projects set up all over town, including the Untitled Border Town Thriller at Paramount, Sunburnt Country at Stampede, and the Momo Project at MGM.
Wilde and Silberman have carved out their own space in town after the success of the critically acclaimed Booksmart. Last week, they had a massive bidding war break out between six studios over their Holiday Comedy project. This project shows that they are not afraid to stretch their legs and explore a range of genres.
This is a package for the ages, bringing some of the biggest names in the industry together. You’ll want to keep an eye on this one. We’re excited to see how this shapes up and we’ll sure to stay up-to-date as more information comes pouring in. The auction is predicted to close by the weekend.
Wilde is repped by CAA and Untitled Entertainment; Silberman is repped by UTA and MXN Entertainment; Carey and Shane are repped by CAA and Kaplan/Perrone.
