T.J. Newman’s soaring career is sure to hit new heights with ‘Worst Case Scenario’

As I delve deeper into this captivating tale, I find myself awestruck by the remarkable journey of T.J. Newman. From the bustling cityscapes of Phoenix to the vibrant stages of Broadway, and eventually soaring through the skies as a flight attendant, her life is nothing short of a thrilling rollercoaster ride.

In Hollywood’s action scene, it’s not a man but T.J. Newman who is making waves and claiming the spotlight in a field traditionally ruled by males. And remarkably, this is her debut work, a screenplay based on her 2021 blockbuster novel “Falling,” which ignited a fierce competition among top studios and producers such as Jason Bateman, Matt Reeves, Neal Moritz, and Jerry Bruckheimer, with Universal ultimately securing the rights.

In the spring of 2023, her second novel titled “Drowning,” published under a two-book contract with Avid, once again became a bestseller. This book triggered a new wave of intense competition among film producers, with popular figures such as Nicole Kidman, Alfonso Cuarón, Damien Chazelle, the Russo brothers, M. Night Shyamalan, and Steven Spielberg, among others, eagerly bidding for its adaptation rights.

As a devoted cinephile, let me express that nothing prepared me for the surreal moment when Damien Chazelle and Nicole Kidman uttered my name on screen. It was simply mind-blowing to hear these artists who have been my inspiration throughout my career, shapers of the cinematic world I aspire to create, engaging in a conversation about a story I penned. Their interest in my work and their unique perspectives on how they would narrate the tale left me utterly awestruck.

As a devoted reader myself, it’s always an exhilarating challenge when multiple talented film producers express interest in the same material. In my role as Shane Salerno, Newman’s agent and founder of Story Factory, I’ve had the privilege to manage such situations. My strategy is simple yet effective: uniting exceptional authors with captivating concepts. It’s this approach that has served us well. We’ve been fortunate enough to discover talents often overlooked by others – Don Winslow, Adrian McKinty, and Meg Gardiner, to name a few. I believe our knack for spotting talent stems from an unwavering passion for literature.

In a shift from her usual settings, Newman’s new book titled “Worst Case Scenario,” published by Little Brown, will be released on Tuesday. This is the author’s first work that doesn’t revolve around an airplane. Instead, it commences with a commercial pilot experiencing a fatal heart attack. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when the plane crashes into a rural Minnesota nuclear power plant. Subsequently, the story unfolds as the town struggles to prevent a catastrophic nuclear meltdown that could potentially endanger millions of lives.

Screenwriter Steve Kloves, while adapting “Drowning” for director Paul Greengrass at Warner Bros., notes that one of T.J.’s talents lies in crafting heroes who seem like everyday individuals facing a crisis. These characters act and react as an average person would during such situations, making them no more extraordinary than the reader. This facilitates easier identification from the reader, allowing them to experience the characters’ fear. In simpler terms, Kloves explains that “Drowning” doesn’t have any superheroes; instead, it features ordinary people who must solve their predicament or face peril.

Starting from 2019, Newman has sealed numerous seven-figure agreements: a two-book contract with Avid Reader Press (a division of Simon & Schuster), another deal for the movie adaptation of “Falling”, a two-book deal with Little Brown, a $3.3 million package deal for the film rights of “Drowning”, and an executive producer fee worth $1.5 million upon signing.

Newman exhales heavily, “It’s been like a wild, breathless journey,” he muses. “We’ve been on this path for quite some time now, and I find myself wondering, ‘Just what transpired?’ It all seems so dreamlike and incredible, still hard to believe.”

The story started on an unlucky day in 2019, as Salerno’s aid fell ill, forcing him to handle the mail himself. Among the letters, he found a manila envelope with the manuscript for “Falling” and a personal note inside.

“Salerno noticed how overconfident the manuscript was, masking its lack of authentic bravado. Interestingly, it was the first unsolicited work they accepted, though 41 other agents had previously declined it. Unbeknownst to him, this unrequested material had garnered significant attention. They announced the book in the Associated Press and it generated a lot of buzz. To top it off, they managed to sell the film rights, which was perfect because it allowed them to catch everyone by surprise and create a stir.”

After hearing several screenwriters propose adaptations for “Falling,” Salerno and Newman chose instead to have the author write it herself. As Salerno, who has writing credits like “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Armageddon” and “Savages” as well as three upcoming “Avatar” sequels, puts it, “Not every novelist can become a screenwriter – it’s almost like learning a new language.” However, she writes in a very cinematic way. Her deep love for movies and her grasp of the medium gave us confidence that we could bring this story to life effectively.

Known primarily for penning all but one of the “Harry Potter” films, Kloves delves into character development in movies such as “The Fabulous Baker Boys,” which he also directed, and “Wonder Boys,” earning him an Academy Award nomination. Inspired by Newman’s writing, he aims to infuse “Drowning,” his debut disaster film, with the same rich layers of depth and complexity.

As a devoted fan, I’m on the hunt for those organic opportunities that allow me to flesh out the histories of each character. T.J.’s work offers a string of subtle hints, and every time one drops, it feels authentic – something not always found in this genre. At times, other works can seem overly contrived or even absurd, but with T.J., it’s different.

During the negotiations surrounding “Falling” in an unspecified time, Newman was a greenhorn, nervously standing by the phone. However, when similar discussions occurred about “Drowning” in the spring of 2023, she found herself actively involved in a heated, week-long bidding contest among some of her Hollywood role models.

Salerno explains that it’s clear when someone desires a certain book as opposed to being merely interested, because they are deeply invested in and passionate about the book. For instance, with the book ‘Drowning’, despite receiving high offers, they chose the second-highest bid because Warner Bros. showed exceptional passion for the book. So much so that the executive who bought it called while crying, indicating how profoundly the emotional ending affected her.

For Newman, being in a meeting surrounded by so many icons left him utterly amazed. “It made me question, in awe, how my life had led me to such a place.”

Originally from Phoenix, Illinois Wesleyan University’s musical theater graduate moved to New York City with aspirations of performing on Broadway. However, she encountered more disappointment than success in the Big Apple. Returning home with a newfound humility, yet unwavering determination, she took up employment at Changing Hands bookstore. Following in the footsteps of her mother and sister, she joined Virgin America as a flight attendant, serving on the Los Angeles-New York route.

The tale of her composing “Falling” is well-known — while on a late-night flight, she utilized her iPad and occasionally jotted down ideas on cocktail napkins, hastily drafting a novel about a commercial aircraft that gets hijacked when the pilot’s family is kidnapped, and he’s commanded to crash the plane.

According to Salerno, her life has been filled with quite intriguing incidents, as if he hadn’t opened that envelope, things would be different now. Similarly, if a screenwriter had presented an impressive pitch, T.J. wouldn’t have taken up writing the movie.

Following the release of “Worst Case Scenario”, instead of selling the film rights, she and Salerno are choosing to actively participate, preparing the book for distribution. However, financial gain is not their primary concern as Newman has dedicated most of her life to pursuing careers that aren’t financially rewarding.

She shares, “I’m fortunate to create books and films that touch people emotionally and provide entertainment. That’s what drives me to keep going. Although the financial rewards are astonishing and overwhelming, I continue to reside in the same modest one-bedroom, one-bath condo where my journey began.”

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2024-08-10 01:03