In the film industry, screenwriters play a vital role, not only as creatives but also as business strategists. Understanding the financial aspects of screenwriting can provide insights into the industry’s dynamics. Here, we explore five of the highest-grossing screenwriters of all time and what we can learn from their success.
Top 5 Highest-Grossing Screenwriters of All Time
In the film industry, screenwriters are not just artists; they are also businesspeople. They sell ideas to producers who aim to make a profit from those projects. Understanding audience preferences and potential earnings is crucial. Analyzing the most successful screenwriters can provide valuable insights.
While volume plays a significant role in success—often linked to franchises—these writers have unique insights into what works for them.
This list focuses solely on screenwriting contributions, distinct from writer-directors like Christopher Nolan and James Cameron, who have also made billions.
Fran Walsh
Co-writer of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, Fran Walsh brought Middle-earth to life alongside her husband, Peter Jackson, and collaborator Philippa Boyens. Her journey from Wellington punk rocker to Academy Award winner is inspiring. She won three Oscars for The Return of the King alone (Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Song), contributing to a box office total of approximately $6.6 billion.
Walsh is known for her reclusive nature, often avoiding press and photography. In a 2012 interview with The New York Times, she shared her writing process: “We tend to write our way into a scene and write our way out,” she explained. Jackson then revises, typically shortening the content.
Don’t shy away from expanding your scenes, as long as you have a skilled editor to trim the excess.
Chris Morgan
As the architect of the Fast & Furious franchise, Chris Morgan transformed a simple street racing concept into a global action empire over two decades. He penned six consecutive Fast films, grossing around $6.78 billion. While the series is renowned for its action and heists, Morgan emphasizes that character development is paramount.
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“We don’t go on the journey just for the stunts,” Morgan stated in a Creative Screenwriting interview. “We need to see those characters overcome personal obstacles.” If you’re feeling stuck, revisit your characters and their relationships to guide your story.
David Koepp
David Koepp is a prolific screenwriter known for hits like Death Becomes Her, Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible, and Spider-Man. He has mastered various genres, earning approximately $7.4 billion in box office returns. Recently, I gained valuable screenwriting advice from Koepp during a conversation at Final Draft. One key takeaway was the importance of outlining.
“Outline,” he advised. “Most people can write 20 pages of a movie, but without an outline, that’s where it will die.” Knowing the direction of your story is essential to avoid getting lost.
Steve Kloves
Steve Kloves is best known for writing seven of the eight Harry Potter films, collaborating closely with J.K. Rowling to bring the wizarding world to life. His work has amassed around $7.9 billion at the box office.
Kloves has a unique approach to research, preferring to conduct it after the first draft. He once shared a quote from Mona Simpson about the importance of research, stating, “I believe in doing it after the first draft.” This method allows for creativity in the initial stages, followed by factual accuracy later.
Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely
This writing duo is behind Marvel’s biggest hits, including Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, holding the record for highest-grossing screenwriters with a combined total of approximately $9.36 billion at the global box office.
They advise breaking down the writing process. At San Diego Comic Con in 2019, they stated, “You cannot push the whole thing forward all at once. Focus on pushing this sequence or character forward. The ones you haven’t developed yet will still be weak, but don’t let that undermine your confidence.” For writers, persistence is key.
