Without rights to a film or franchise, is it even worth wasting time on a screenplay? I have tried to find any information online about who can write a Bond Screenplay but have yet to see anything other than links to interviews with previous writers. The best I can interpret is that I could write a screenplay to pitch to the team that handles the rights to the Bond films, and they would decide whether to purchase it. Any help would be appreciated.
I feel like I have a really good idea and take on Bond that will make it current and introduce a unique take on the series that will also potentially give it new blood. However, aside from a logline and a working title, I don't want to spend any more time if it just turns out to be a wasted effort.
Thank you,
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Bezos just paid $1Billion to give himself the privilege. He and his buddies now get to play with it.
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Wal Friman I saw that too and there was some mention about them looking for ideas so who knows.
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Pitching a script without rights to the film or franchise is really hard, Montana Clayton, but it's not impossible if you have the right connections. And writing the script isn't a waste of time if you write it just for practice.
Have you thought about turning the idea into an original script and pitching that? It'll probably be easier than writing and pitching a script based off the Bond franchise.
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Maurice Vaughan that is a great idea, I mean there are plenty of films that touch close to Bond without being Bond so an original spy film isn't too crazy. As always thank you for the feedback. May I ask what makes pitching a movie you don't have the rights to so hard? Is it becasue you are limited in only pitching to whomever owns the rights? OR is it a bunch of industry politics that deserve their own blog? (I could always do a deep dive and write an article about it too.)
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You're welcome, Montana Clayton. Yeah, you're limited to only pitching to whomever owns the rights. That might be other reasons too. A copyright lawyer can tell you more about it. And that would be a great blog.
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Montana Clayton. I don't think a title and a logline will be enough. I would first make sure I know who the next Bond is, and familiarize with the actor (study their movies). Then, since you are reluctant to spend too much time on a script—which is totally understandable—I would at least write a synopsis. Other than that, I agree with Maurice Vaughan about practice. At least you'll know if you're really up to the task.
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I have a similar issue with the DC universe. Although, I haven't began a research like you have, I often wonder if I took the time to write a Green Lantern story, would it be a waste of effort?
Like you, I believe I have a good idea for a Green Lantern story, and a way to ground it more as a space opera genre, not just superhero fantasy.
When the time is right, I'd do carry out my findings, but please let us know what you learn.
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Yes, it is difficult to find copyright holders.
I once had a good reason to contact the copyright holder for the comic strip character "The Phantom". It has been filmed at least once.
Since I suspected that I had found a case of copyright infringement, somebody finally gave me the email address to those who administratate the copyright in my country. Sure, they quickly answered "thanks for telling because we didn't give those persons any permission".
And they were willing to tell the copyright holder in USA that I had an idea for a movie. After a while the answer came. The copyright holders were not interested in discussing with me because somebody else had already started a discussion with them about a movie idea with that comic strip character.
That was several years ago, and there is still no new movie with "The Phantom".
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People do well with fan fic! Screw the copyright holders!
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Fan fiction is a great idea, Preston Poulter!
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If you have a "really good idea", then make it your own character with your own world that, most importantly, you will own.
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I agree 100% with Francisco. Use Bond as a springboard, and then take it to a level that is uniquely yours. I'd rather read your original take than your fan fiction any day of the week.
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No. No it is not. but make him anyone else BUT Bond, take out the specific Bond stuff, and just write the story as an original script.
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Any "Bond" script will be written by WGA writers undercontract with the majors. Just like a 'Star Wars" script. Write a Bond clone script and avoid the Bond cliches.