Grampa Was A Superhero script has been optioned

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Writing duo’s family friendly spec script lands option deal with Epiphany Productions.

Santa Cruz, CA – January 31, 2010

Chip Street and Sean Meehan have had unlikely good fortune in their short spec-screenplay writing careers. In an industry where newcomers are told that it’ll take 10 years of writing 20 lousy screenplays to finally get it right and earn any recognition, they’ve beaten the odds three for three.

Their most recent success? The family friendly screenplay Grampa Was A Superhero has been optioned by Mitchell Galin at Epiphany Productions. The story centers on 12-year-old Jesse and his Grampa, who thinks he’s a TV super hero. The elder drags his grandson on a cross-country road trip to confront his imaginary arch enemy… accidentally thwarting crimes along the way and fast becoming a folk hero.

Like a cross between Home Alone and Wild Hogs, the family adventure is silly enough for the kids, yet still maintains real heart and a touching subplot that will resonate with parents and grandparents alike. Street feels that the timing is especially right, given Hollywood’s history with — and pending slate of — superheroic stories about regular guys.

Mr. Galin is best known for a number of projects he produced in partnership with Stephen King, including Pet Sematary and The Stand, as well as his work in the adaptation of works by John Cheever, Dominick Dunne, Frank Herbert and others. His work has garnered six Emmy’s and the prestigious Christopher Award. Oscar-winning actors and actresses Galin has worked with include Katharine Hepburn, James Cagney, Peter O’Toole, Jodie Foster, James Earl Jones, William Hurt, Kathy Bates, George Scott, Maggie Smith, George Kennedy and William Hickey.

Galin says he finds the story “delightful”, and is looking forward to working with the writing team during development.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Mitchell,” says Street. “He’s a long-time pro, and a genuinely nice guy. We couldn’t ask for a better opportunity.”

Between them, Street and Meehan have three complete feature screenplays under their belts, and all three have been well received from the outset.

Street’s first screenplay, Rocket Summer, was a solo effort. The property was promptly optioned for development. It later sold to eKidsFilms.

Their second effort as a writing team is the horror screenplay Faeries, in which ravenous pack-hunting creatures pursue a group of city-slickers on a juggernaut through the rugged mountain wilderness. Says Meehan, “This story combines classic creature feature elements, ‘cabin-in-the-woods’ simplicity, and the more sophisticated structure and character development of The Descent.” The script was a finalist in its first contest submission, the 2009 Shriekfest Horror Festival screenplay competition, and has gone on to be requested by as many as six production companies.

“We appreciate the positive feedback we’ve gotten,” says Street. “This is a tough industry, and the overwhelming response our work has gotten is amazing. We love movies, and we love telling stories. We feel very lucky to be able to do what we’re doing, and look forward to a watershed year.”

They’ve got a list of concepts an arm’s length long, and are already “breaking the story” on their next script, something Meehan calls “a classic Eastwood western with supernatural overtones”.

But for now, they’re focused on working hard with Galin to bring Grampa, and his sidekick grandson Jesse, to a screen near you.