Max Borenstein

Max Borenstein is an American screenwriter. He is known for his work on the MonsterVerse film series featuring classic Kaiju, including writing Godzilla (2014) and Kong: Skull Island (2017), contributing to the story of Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), and will co-write the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong (2021).

Max Borenstein
OccupationScreenwriter
Years active2003–present

Life and career

Borenstein wrote, edited, and directed the 2003 film Swordswallowers and Thin Men while a senior at Yale University. The film starred Peter Cellini, Zoe Kazan, Fran Kranz and Graham Norris, and featured Army Wives star Sally Pressman and Midnight's Children lead Satya Bhabha. The film won Best Feature and Best Screenplay at the New York Independent Film Festival and was named Best First Feature 2003 by Los Angeles Times critic Kevin Thomas.[1]

Borenstein's 2008 screenplay What Is Life Worth?, based on Kenneth Feinberg's memoir of the same name, was included on The Black List, an annual list compiled by Hollywood executives of their favorite unproduced screenplays. On February 14, 2018, it was reported that he would produce his screenplay into film alongside Michael Sugar, Marc Butan, Sean Sorensen, and Bard Dorros, with director David Frankel helming the project.[2][3] His 2009 screenplay Jimi, commissioned by Legendary Pictures and based on the life of guitarist Jimi Hendrix, was also included on The Black List.[4] Borenstein has written and/or co-written additional projects for Legendary's MonsterVerse, including Godzilla, Kong: Skull Island,[5] and Godzilla: King of the Monsters.[6] He was hired to write Paladin for Walt Disney Pictures,[7] and Mona for New Regency.[8]

On May 4, 2017, HBO announced that Borenstein is one of four writers working on a potential pilot for a Game of Thrones spin-off. In addition to Borenstein, Carly Wray, Jane Goldman, and Brian Helgeland are also working on potential pilots.[9] Borenstein has been working and communicating with George R. R. Martin, the author of A Song of Ice and Fire, the series of novels upon which the original series is based.[10] Current Game of Thrones showrunners D. B. Weiss and David Benioff would also be executive producers for whichever project is picked up by HBO.[10][11]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
2003 Swordswallowers and Thin Men Yes Yes No Also cinematographer & editor and actor
2014 Godzilla No Yes No
2017 Kong: Skull Island No Yes No Co-wrote with Dan Gilroy and Derek Connolly
2018 Ascension No No Executive
2019 Godzilla: King of the Monsters No Story No Co-wrote with Michael Dougherty and Zach Shields
2020 Worth No Yes Yes
2021 Godzilla vs. Kong No Yes No Co-wrote with Eric Pearson
TBA Hypnotic No Yes No Co-wrote with Robert Rodriguez

Television
Year Title Writer Producer Notes
2015 Minority Report Yes Executive Mini-series
Developer
2019 The Terror: Infamy Yes Executive Anthology Series
Creator
TBA Untitled Lakers/HBO Project Yes Yes Mini-series

Short films
Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
2007 Law and Order: Christmas Special Yes No No
2008 A Room of One's Clone Yes No No
2015 In Her Place No Yes Yes

References
  1. "The truth sinks in - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2003-09-18. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
  2. "Michael Keaton In Talks For 'What Is Life Worth'; David Frankel Helming From Max Borenstein's Black List Script – Berlin". Deadline. February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  3. "Screenplay Junkie #6: The 2008 Black List". Film Junk. 2008-12-12. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
  4. "50 Great Unproduced Movie Scripts". Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  5. Fleming, Jr, Mike (September 16, 2014). "Legendary's 'Skull Island'; Tom Hiddleston Stars, Jordan Vogt-Roberts Helms King Kong Origin Tale". Deadline.
  6. Fleming Jr., Mike (September 18, 2014). "'Godzilla' Sequel To Be Scripted By Max Borenstein". Deadline.com.
  7. Kit, Borys (March 9, 2012). "Disney Developing Sci-Fi Space Adventure 'Paladin' (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter.
  8. Fleming Jr., Mike (January 30, 2013). "Max Borenstein To Adapt 'Mona' For New Regency". Deadline.
  9. Holloway, Daniel (May 4, 2017). "'Game of Thrones' Spinoffs in the Works at HBO". Variety. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  10. Goldberg, Lesley (May 4, 2017). "'Game of Thrones': HBO Exploring Four Different Follow-Up Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  11. Blistein, Jon (May 4, 2017). "HBO Preps 'Game of Thrones' Spin-Off Series With George R.R. Martin". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 6, 2017.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.