#J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Is Partnering With The Black List To Help Underrepresented Writers

Founded by Franklin Leonard, who was formerly a development executive for Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way Productions, The Black List is an annual survey of Hollywood executives’ most-liked un-produced scripts that has been published every year since 2005. The term “Black List” itself doubles as a nod to both Leonard’s racial heritage and Hollywood denying employment to (AKA “black-listing”) writers and other creatives who were accused of either being Communists or sympathetic to Communist causes in the mid-20th century.

The Black List is typically mentioned in a positive light and for valid reasons. Not only has it helped to even the playing field when it comes to giving a more inclusive group of writers the access they need to break into Hollywood, it’s also led to the production of 440 Black List scripts, grossing more than $30 billion at the global box office and winning 54 Academy Awards. In fact, such Best Picture Oscar winners as “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Argo,” and “Spotlight” originated as Black List screenplays, as did Oscar-winning titles like “Promising Young Woman,” “I, Tonya,” and “Jojo Rabbit.” It’s not just about the Oscars, either; acclaimed genre movies such as “Hanna,” “Looper,” and “Edge of Tomorrow” made the Black List prior to production, as did the cult film “Jennifer’s Body.”

Obviously, not every Black List script has given rise to an equally-beloved film (see also: “The Judge,” “Lucy in the Sky”), but making the cut is a big deal for those from under-represented communities who are trying their best to break into the industry. By the sound of it, this new Bad Robot-Black List initiative will only further serve those whose voices have historically been ignored by the powers that be in Tinseltown.