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Tobias Iaconis

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Tobias Iaconis
Iaconis at the premiere of The Curse of La Llorona, 2019
Born
Landstuhl, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
NationalityGerman
American
Alma materHaverford College
OccupationScreenwriter

Tobias Iaconis is a German American screenwriter. His writing partner is Mikki Daughtry. He is best known for writing, with Daughtry, the films The Curse of La Llorona (2019), Five Feet Apart (2019) and Nightbooks (2021).

Early life

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Iaconis was born in Germany, to a German mother and an American father.  A dual citizen, he grew up outside of the city of Kaiserslautern, attending U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Schools.[1] At the age of eighteen, he moved to the United States to attend Haverford College, where he studied English literature with a concentration in creative writing.

Career

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In 2009, Iaconis was the writer of Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia[2] for 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, starring Joe Manganiello and Ken Anderson. Previously he had written an unproduced sequel to Timecop for Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, and in 2010 he wrote an unproduced sequel to Shooter for Paramount Famous Productions.

After partnering with Mikki Daughtry in 2012, they adapted the Jack Kilborn action-horror novel Afraid, for Vincent Newman Entertainment.

In 2013, their script Elsewhere made the Black List (a survey of Hollywood's best unproduced screenplays, as voted on by more than 250 studio execs).[3]

In 2014, Daughtry and Iaconis were hired to write an English-language remake of Sleep Tight (Spanish: Mientras duermes, "While You Sleep"), a Spanish thriller-horror film directed by Jaume Balagueró.[4]

In 2015, Daughtry and Iaconis sold a pitch, The Children, to New Line Cinema.[5] The film began principal photography in October 2017, with stars Linda Cardellini, Raymond Cruz, Patricia Velasquez, Jaynee Lynne Kinchen, and Roman Christou,[6][7][8][9] and Michael Chaves directing.[10] In July 2018, the movie's final title was announced as The Curse of La Llorona,[11] and the film premiered at the SXSW Film Festival on March 15, 2019,[12] where it was revealed to be a part of The Conjuring cinematic universe. The movie was released theatrically on April 19, 2019. Reviews were largely unfavorable, but the movie far exceeded opening-weekend box office expectations and was the top-grossing film, both domestically and internationally, that weekend.[13][14] It has earned $123M worldwide on a production budget of $9M,[15] and received a CinemaScore of "B−",[16] which is considered high for a movie in the horror genre.[17]

In January 2017, Daughtry and Iaconis sold a young adult-themed pitch, Five Feet Apart, to CBS Films, for Justin Baldoni to produce and direct.[18] Cole Sprouse (in the first film role of his adult career) and Haley Lu Richardson starred, with Moisés Arias in a supporting role, and Academy Award-winner Cathy Schulman producing.[19][20][21] The film commenced principal photography in May 2018,[22] and was released on March 15, 2019.[23] Reviews were mixed, but the movie received a CinemaScore of "A" and out-performed box office expectations,[24] earning over $92M world-wide on a production budget of $7M.[25] A novel based upon the screenplay, written by Rachael Lippincott with Daughtry and Iaconis, was published by Simon & Schuster on November 20, 2018,[26] became a number-one New York Times Best Seller,[27] and won the 2019 Goodreads' Choice Awards for Best Young Adult Fiction.[28]

In November 2017, Daughtry and Iaconis were included in The Young and Hungry List 2017 (a list of Hollywood's top 100 new writers).[29]

In March 2019, Daughtry and Iaconis were hired by CBS Films to write the screenplay based on the social media sensation Esther the Wonder Pig. Jack Leslie, and Lauren Shuler Donner of the Donners’ Company, are producing. The film will follow the true story of how a couple adopts what they believe to be a five-pound pigmy pig, which then grows to 650 pounds, inspiring the local community and millions of online followers in the process.[30]

In June 2019, Daughtry and Iaconis signed on to pen the screenplay for Netflix's film adaptation of the children's fantasy-horror book, Nightbooks, by author J. A. White. The movie was produced by Sam Raimi and Romel Adam of Ghost House Pictures, and Mason Novick and Michelle Knudsen of MXN Entertainment. The story follows Alex, a boy obsessed with scary stories, who is trapped by a witch in her modern, magical New York City apartment; Alex's original hair-raising tales are the only thing keeping him safe.[31] David Yarovesky directed the film, with a cast that includes Krysten Ritter, Winslow Fegley, and Lidya Jewett.[32] Nightbooks premiered on Netflix, in nearly 190 countries, on September 15, 2021, and at its peak was the second-most-viewed Netflix film in the world,[33] and received positive reviews from critics.[34]

In 2021, Daughtry and Iaconis were hired to adapt "The Hallowed Ones," a novel by Lauren Bickle, for producer Emile Gladstone. The story involves an apocalyptic contagion infecting the world outside an Amish teenager's (Katie) idyllic village, turning humans into monstrous predators. Katie must challenge the laws of her religious community in order to save the lives of those she loves.[35]

Upcoming work

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In July 2019, All This Time, a follow-up to the New York Times Best Selling book, Five Feet Apart, was announced, written by Mikki Daughtry with Rachael Lippincott.[36] In February 2020, the book's cover was revealed, and an excerpt published.[37] That same month, Lionsgate Films optioned the film rights to the book, and hired Daughtry and Iaconis to adapt the book for film; Daughtry and Iaconis will additionally serve as Executive Producers.[38] The novel was released on September 29, 2020, and became a New York Times Best Seller.[39] In All This Time, a former high school quarterback, Kyle, is left grief-stricken by the tragic loss of his girlfriend, Kimberly, following a car crash. He eventually begins a cautious romance with an intriguing, creative girl, Marley. As strange events begin to unfold around him, Kyle comes to realize that his life with Marley might not be all that it seems.[38]

In July 2020, it was announced that Daughtry and Iaconis are writing the screenplay for what might be another installment in the Dirty Dancing film franchise, for Lionsgate Films.[40] Jonahan Levine and Gillian Bohrer are producing; Jennifer Grey, who played the teenager Baby in the original movie, is executive producing. The movie is said to be set in the 1990s. In August 2022, it was confirmed that the movie is indeed a sequel to Dirty Dancing, with Jennifer Grey starring and Jonathan Levine directing,[41] and in June 2022, Lionsgate Films set a release date of February 9, 2024, with Levine directing a screenplay written by Daughtry, Iaconis, Elizabeth Chomko, and himself.[42]

Filmography

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Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
2009 Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia No Yes No
2019 The Curse of La Llorona No Yes No with Mikki Daughtry
2019 Five Feet Apart No Yes No with Mikki Daughtry
2021 Nightbooks No Yes No with Mikki Daughtry

References

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  1. ^ "Tobias Iaconis". IMDb. Retrieved 2019-03-02.
  2. ^ "Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia". 6 January 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2017 – via IMDb.
  3. ^ Kroll, Justin (16 December 2013). "The Black List Announces 2013 Screenplays (Complete List)". variety.com. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  4. ^ Miska, Brad (2015-08-03). "Duo Adapting 'Sleep Tight,' Sell 'The Children' to New Line Cinema!". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
  5. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (3 August 2015). "New Line Buys Fast-Tracked Thriller Pitch 'The Children'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  6. ^ Kroll, Justin (9 October 2017). "Linda Cardellini to Star in James Wan Horror-Thriller 'The Children' (EXCLUSIVE)".
  7. ^ "Raymond Cruz Joins New Line Horror Movie 'The Children' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 13 October 2017.
  8. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (24 October 2017). "'The Children' Adds Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen & Roman Christou".
  9. ^ "'Mummy' Star Joins James Wan-produced 'The Children' - Bloody Disgusting". bloody-disgusting.com. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  10. ^ Squires, John (9 October 2017). "Linda Cardellini Will Star in New Line's James Wan-Produced 'The Children'".
  11. ^ "The Children Cry Out for THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA - Dread Central". www.dreadcentral.com. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  12. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (2019-02-06). "SXSW Film Festival Sets 'Pet Sematary' As Closing Night Film, Unveils Slate Of Midnighters, Shorts, And More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  13. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2019-04-21). "Lowest Easter Weekend At The B.O. Since 2003 Despite $26M+ Purse Of 'La Llorona' – Sunday AM Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
  14. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (2019-04-21). "'La Llorona' Conjures $30M Overseas Bow; 'Shazam!' & 'Dumbo' cross $300M WW – International Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
  15. ^ "The Curse of La Llorona (2019) - Box Office Mojo". www.boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  16. ^ "'The Curse of La Llorona' Poised to Take No. 1 at Easter Weekend Box Office". TheWrap. 2019-04-20. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
  17. ^ "CinemaScore", Wikipedia, 2019-04-04, retrieved 2019-04-21
  18. ^ Busch, Anita (26 January 2017). "CBS Films Buys Untitled Justin Baldoni Pitch In Vein Of 'The Fault In Our Stars'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  19. ^ "'Riverdale' Star Cole Sprouse to Star in Romantic Drama 'Five Feet Apart' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  20. ^ Hipes, Patrick (April 12, 2018). "Haley Lu Richardson To Star With Cole Sprouse In 'Five Feet Apart'". Deadline Hollywood.
  21. ^ Vlessing, Etan (April 12, 2018). "Moises Arias Joins Cole Sprouse in Romantic Drama 'Five Feet Apart'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  22. ^ "Five Feet Apart - IMDb". IMDb.
  23. ^ McNary, Dave (2018-05-31). "Film News Roundup: Haley Lu Richardson-Cole Sprouse's 'Five Feet Apart' Set for March Release". Variety. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  24. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2019-03-17). "'Captain Marvel' Rises To Second Best 2nd Weekend In March With $69M+ – Sunday AM Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
  25. ^ "Five Feet Apart Summary Information".
  26. ^ Jackson, Frannie (June 14, 2018). "Exclusive Cover Reveal: Teens with Cystic Fibrosis Fall in Love in Rachael Lippincott's Five Feet Apart". Paste.
  27. ^ "Young Adult Hardcover Books - Best Sellers - December 9, 2018 - The New York Times". New York Times. 2019-03-13. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
  28. ^ "Announcing the Goodreads Choice Winner in Best Young Adult Fiction!". Goodreads. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  29. ^ "THE YOUNG AND HUNGRY LIST 2017 – THE TOP 100 WRITERS ON THE VERGE!". The Tracking Board. 2017-11-02. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  30. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (March 1, 2019). "Esther the Wonder Pig Movie In The Works At CBS Films; 'Five Feet Apart' Scribes Mikki Daughtry & Tobias Iaconis Scripting". Deadline Hollywood.
  31. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (2019-06-19). "'Five Feet Apart' Scribes Mikki Daughtry & Tobias Iaconis To Adapt 'Nightbooks' Feature For Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  32. ^ Kroll, Justin (2020-10-13). "'Brightburn' Director Sets Netflix's 'Night Books' As Next Film With Krysten Ritter, Winslow Fegley And Lidya Jewett On Board To Star". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  33. ^ "Nightbooks • FlixPatrol". FlixPatrol. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  34. ^ "Nightbooks". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  35. ^ "The Hallowed Ones (The Hallowed Ones, #1)". Goodreads. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  36. ^ "Exclusive: The team behind 'Five Feet Apart' is back with a new tearjerker". EW.com. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  37. ^ "Exclusive Cover Reveal + Excerpt: A Deadly Crash Upends a Teen's Life in All This Time". pastemagazine.com. 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  38. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (2020-02-19). "Lionsgate Lands YA Novel 'All This Time' From 'Five Feet Apart' Team". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  39. ^ "Young Adult Hardcover Books - Best Sellers - Books - Dec. 20, 2020 - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  40. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2020-07-14). "New 'Dirty Dancing' Movie? Jennifer Grey To Star In & Executive Produce Dance Pic At Lionsgate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  41. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2020-08-06). "New 'Dirty Dancing' Movie With Jennifer Grey Confirmed By Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
  42. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2022-06-15). "'Dirty Dancing' Sequel Sets 2024 Release; 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' Heads To Pre-Summer 2023". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
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