Blake Lively is making waves in the film industry once again as she partners with Wicked producer Marc Platt to launch an exciting new feature project at Lionsgate. This studio is already known for producing Lively's successful A Simple Favor films, and now, they have acquired The Survival List, a spec script penned by Tom Melia, which will see Lively both starring in and producing the film.
The Survival List is set to be an action romantic comedy that revolves around a highbrow reality TV producer named Annie. Despite her initial reluctance, Annie is assigned to a new show hosted by the famed survival expert, Chopper Lane. The plot takes a dramatic turn when a shipwreck leaves them stranded on a deserted island. To Annie's shock, she discovers that Chopper is a fraud who has no real survival skills, forcing her to take charge of their survival. As they navigate their predicament, the duo begins to uncover an unexpected chemistry amidst the chaos.
Scott O’Brien will be overseeing this intriguing project for Lionsgate. Lively, who has been in the media spotlight recently due to her legal disputes with director Justin Baldoni, is determined to shift the focus back to her flourishing career. She is actively seeking new material that resonates with her talents and aspirations.
In her most recent project, Lively starred in Another Simple Favor, a film produced by Lionsgate and released on Amazon's Prime Video. In this sequel, she reunited with director Paul Feig and co-star Anna Kendrick, further solidifying her reputation in the industry.
Marc Platt is a veteran producer known for his significant contributions to both film and Broadway. He is notably involved in the long-running stage production of Wicked as well as its upcoming movie adaptations, with the second part set to premiere on November 21. Additionally, Platt produced the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, which has grossed an impressive $626.4 million worldwide.
Tom Melia, the writer behind The Survival List, is a British talent who co-wrote the acclaimed comedy Rye Lane. This film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received several accolades, including a nomination for Outstanding British Film at the 2024 BAFTAs. Additionally, it garnered 16 nominations at the British Independent Film Awards, including Best British Independent Film and Best Screenplay. Melia has also contributed to the Sky drama series Brassic and the comedy series Bloods.
Blake Lively is represented by WME, Entertainment 360, and Sloane Offer, while Tom Melia is represented by WME and Kaplan/Perrone. As Lively continues to expand her horizons in the film industry, fans can look forward to seeing her take on this exciting new role in The Survival List.