ASU film duo’s 'Red Pill' plague script selected for 2017 BloodList

Every Halloween season the BloodList unveils a list of the best 13 unproduced horror and suspense genre screenplays, and for the second year in a row, the list included a script by ASU faculty Chris LaMont and ASU alum Joe Russo.

Chris LaMont

In 2016, LaMont, clinical assistant professor in the School of Film, Dance and Theatre, and Russo, his writing and producing partner, were named to the BloodList for their horror screenplay about online dating called “Soul Mates.” This year, the duo was named for their suspense thriller screenplay “The Red Pill,” about an average guy who becomes infected by a plague — but instead of getting sicker, he's getting better.

"It's a great honor for our script to be named to the BloodList, and it's a real testament to the quality of the work to be selected two years in a row,” LaMont said. “It helps screenwriters to get their work out to producers who respond to the material and continues to build recognition among producers of the creative voice a screenwriter brings to the industry."

Only working executives at studios and production companies can vote on the list. LaMont says it has become a leading resource for genre producers searching for the perfect material and the chance to get it first. Produced films from previous BloodLists include Oscar nominee “Arrival” and “The Shallows.”

After being included on the list, “Soul Mates” was bought by the producer of the “Saw” franchise. LaMont hopes the “The Red Pill” also sees success.

“The BloodList is a tremendous accolade that helps to further a screenwriter's career, and selling your screenplay would be a tremendous result of the honor,” LaMont said. "We love ‘The Red Pill’ and look forward to ambitious producers who love it as much as we do.”

Top photo by Ehsan Namavar/Freeimages.com