Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment and Christina Hodson’s Hodson Exports are partnering up for the Lucky Exports Pitch Program (LEPP) to help female writers develop original feature films.
Writers during the four-week program will break, outline and develop their ideas into studio-ready pitches, which must demonstrate their ability to write an action film while gaining some exposure in the process.
The six female-identifying writers were selected through a process where the samples were read blindly and from those, a pool of writers were selected to apply to the program, which will be run by Robbie, Josey McNamara and Tom Ackerley of LuckyChap and Hodson and Morgan Howell of Hodson Exports. More than a dozen speakers, including actors, directors, producers and writers, will be participating in a Q&A and workshops. These speakers include Sue Kroll, Chris Morgan, Zak Penn, Chad Strahelski, Max Borenstein and Lindsey Beer.
The six writers selected for the LEPP are Sue Chung (Lindsay Perraud & Kaplan / Kaplan/ Perrone Entertainment), Charmaine DeGrate (Josh Goldenberg / Kaplan Perrone Entertainment), Eileen Jones (Nicky Mohebbi / Verve), Faith Liu (Nicky Mohebbi / Verve), Dagny Looper (Amar Hansen / Anonymous), and Maria Sten (Zak Frognowski / Grandview). Both LuckyChap and Hodson Exports will produce each project that will have a maximum budget of $30 million.
“It is no secret that there are more men than women getting hired to write big-budget studio movies, and yet there are a huge number of talented female voices looking to break into this space,” Hodson said in a statement. “I have been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work on a number of franchise movies, alongside great male and female writers. Feature writing has traditionally been a solitary exercise but it doesn’t need to be. I wanted to create a program that was as much about peer to peer collaboration and community as it is about changing the statistics. Margot and I share a passion for championing female voices and feel that one way to do that is to connect these writers with a wide-array of experts in big-budget filmmaking – men and women alike.”
LuckyChap Entertainment added: “We feel it is both a responsibility and a great honor to help create opportunities for the voices in our industry who are not yet being heard in the big budget action space. We couldn’t be more excited to join these six incredible writers on this journey!”
LuckyChap Entertainment, founded in 2014 by Robbie, Ackerley, McNamara and Sophia Kerr, was the production company behind the award-winning film “I, Tonya.” It recently wrapped production on “Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn),” as well as “Promising Young Woman.” Hodson Exports was founded in 2018 by Hodson, and Morgan joined the company shortly after. Her first three specs were featured on the Black List before she joined the writers room for “Transformers.” She then wrote the screenplay for “Bumblebee.” She also wrote “Birds of Prey.”
LuckyChap Entertainment is represented by Management 360, CAA, Attorney Jeff Bernstein and Narrative PR. Hodson Exports are represented by Kaplan Perrone Entertainment, Ziffren Brittenham, and CAA.
The Evolution of Margot Robbie, From 'Neighbours' to 'Birds of Prey' (Photos)
With two new movies out just in time for the holidays, "Goodbye Christopher Robin" and "I, Tonya," Margot Robbie is killing it this year. Here's a walk through her career, starting way back with her role in a certain Aussie soap opera ....
Photographed by Corina Marie for TheWrap at Thompson Toronto
"Neighbours"
Robbie started off her acting on the silver screen in the Australian soap opera "Neighbours," which began in 1985 and is still on today. She was part of the show from 2008-2014, and played the role of Donna Freedman.
Grundy Television Australia
"Pan Am"
Robbie's next TV gig was as flight attendant Laura Cameron on ABC. The show only lasted for one season.
The Aussie lept onto the big screen in the film "About Time," in which she played a small role alongside Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleeson, as one of his character's love interests.
Working Title Films
"The Wolf of Wall Street"
Robbie's big breakout role came opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in the bawdy "Wolf of Wall Street," in which she played Leo's wife.
"The Big Short"
Robbie made a cameo in "The Big Short,"which is also all about Wall Street. She explains confusing finance terms and just how the big short played out -- while sipping champaign in a bubble bath.
"Whiskey Tango Foxtrot"
Robbie plays opposite Tina Fey in this movie about journalists covering the war in Afghanistan.
Robbie stars opposite Alexander Skarsgard in a live action version of "Tarzan," in which the two return to the jungle after living in London.
"Suicide Squad"
Robbie entered the DC universe in Warner Bros.' "Suicide Squad" as Harley Quinn, the love interest to Jared Leto's crazy Joker. Robbie's performance was a standout in the poorly-rated film.
Warner Bros.
"I, Tonya"
Robbie leads the film as Tonya Harding, the Olympic figure skater fallen from grace. Robbie narrates the story of jealousy and rage from Harding's perspective. In theaters Dec. 8.
Neon
"Goodbye Christopher Robin"
Robbie plays A. A. Milne's wife Daphne in this behind-the-scenes look at the life of the creator of Winnie the Pooh, which was inspired by their son C.R. Milne.
20th Century Fox
"Mary Queen of Scots"
Robbie is the latest actress to take on the role of Queen Elizabeth I in "Mary Queen of Scots," in which Saoirse Ronan plays the title character. The movie tackles the story of Mary Stuart's attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth as the Queen of England.
Focus Features, Working Title Film
"Dreamland"
Robbie starred in "Dreamland" opposite Garrett Hedlund, about a teenager's adventures as a bounty hunter. The film had its premiere at Tribeca last April.
"Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood"
Robbie played real-life figure Sharon Tate in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood" alongside Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Sony
"Bombshell"
Robbie starred in "Bombshell," which followed the women who accused Fox News head Roger Ailes of sexual harassment. She played a fictional character, while Charlize Theron played Megyn Kelly and Nicole Kidman played Gretchen Carlson.
Lionsgate
"Birds of Prey"
Robbie reprised her Harley Quinn character in her own standalone film, "Birds of Prey." The film was written by Christina Hodson and was directed by Cathy Yan.
Warner Bros.
Upcoming projects
Robbie will next star in "The Suicide Squad" as Harley Quinn, as well "Ruin," "Amsterdam," "Barbie" and an untitled David O. Russell project.
Warner Bros.
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What’s your favorite Margot Robbie role?
With two new movies out just in time for the holidays, "Goodbye Christopher Robin" and "I, Tonya," Margot Robbie is killing it this year. Here's a walk through her career, starting way back with her role in a certain Aussie soap opera ....