The 2020 Black List is here. Now in its 16th edition, the annual survey highlights Hollywood execs’ favorite unproduced — or “on the verge of being produced” — screenplays. Sophie Hunter’s “Headhunter,” the story of a “high-functioning cannibal” who “selects his victims based on their Instagram popularity, but finds his habits shaken by a man who wants to be eaten,” tops this year’s list with 29 votes. Deadline confirmed the news.
Other women-penned scripts to receive major love include Angela Bourassa’s “If You Were the Last” and Cat Wilkins’ “Two Faced.” Both landed 25 votes. “If You Were the Last” sees “two astronauts who think they’ve been lost in space forever fall in love, becoming content with their isolated lives, only to suddenly have to return to Earth,” and “Two Faced” follows a high school senior’s efforts to “get her principal fired after observing racist behavior, but she quickly learns he won’t go down without a fight.” It is set to be Taraji P. Henson’s feature directorial debut.
“Since The Black List was released in 2005, 440-plus Black List scripts have been produced, grossing $30 billion at the global box office,” Deadline details. Former Black List titles include Lena Waithe’s “Queen & Slim,” the story of a Black couple who go on the run after killing a cop in self-defense, and Emerald Fennell’s “Promising Young Woman,” a revenge story about a once-promising med student determined to teach predatory men a lesson. Melina Matsoukas went on to direct the former and Fennell the latter. “Queen & Slim” was released last year to rave reviews and Carey Mulligan-starrer “Promising Young Woman” opens in theaters December 25.
Head over to Deadline to check out more scripts on the 2020 Black List.