Richard Outten
Encyclopedia
Richard Outten is an American screenwriter
who works in both motion pictures and television. After receiving his MFA
from the USC School of Cinematic Arts
, he co-authored (with Chris Columbus
), the screenplay to the award-winning animated film Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland
. Other motion picture credits include Lionheart
, helmed by Oscar
-winning director Franklin J. Schaffner, and Pet Sematary II
. Based on Outten's early work, Steven Spielberg
selected him to do a rewrite of Gremlins 2. Although he didn't receive credit on the film, the assignment led to an exclusive, multi-year writing deal at Warner Bros, during which he penned several screenplays, including an unproduced sequel to The Goonies
.
Among the television series he has written for is the cult favorite The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
, which aired on the Fox Network. He also shared writing credit on Last Rites, an original TV movie for the Starz/Encore! pay cable network starring Randy Quaid
.
In March 2009, Outten's original screenplay, Mysterious Travels, was acquired by Walden Media
and New Line Cinema
to serve as the basis for the 3-D sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008 film)
. He subsequently rewrote the script, customizing the story for the sequel. Titled Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
, the film stars Michael Caine
, Dwayne Johnson, Vanessa Hudgens, and Josh Hutcherson
. It is scheduled for release by Warner Bros in 2012.
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
who works in both motion pictures and television. After receiving his MFA
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
from the USC School of Cinematic Arts
USC School of Cinematic Arts
The USC School of Cinematic Arts, until 2006 named the School of Cinema-Television , is a film school within the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. It is the oldest and largest such school in the United States, established in 1929 as a joint venture with the Academy of...
, he co-authored (with Chris Columbus
Chris Columbus (filmmaker)
Christopher Joseph "Chris" Columbus is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Columbus had his largest success with the first two films in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, along with Home Alone, the last...
), the screenplay to the award-winning animated film Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland
Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland
Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, known in Japan as simply Nemo, is a 1989 animated film directed by Masami Hata and William T. Hurtz. Loosely based on the comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland by Winsor McCay, the film went through a lengthy development process with a number of screenwriters...
. Other motion picture credits include Lionheart
Lionheart (1987 film)
Lionheart is a 1987 adventure film directed by Academy Award-winner Franklin J. Schaffner...
, helmed by Oscar
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
-winning director Franklin J. Schaffner, and Pet Sematary II
Pet Sematary II
Pet Sematary Two is a horror film directed by Mary Lambert. The screenplay was written by Richard Outten. It is the sequel to the 1989 film Pet Sematary...
. Based on Outten's early work, Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
selected him to do a rewrite of Gremlins 2. Although he didn't receive credit on the film, the assignment led to an exclusive, multi-year writing deal at Warner Bros, during which he penned several screenplays, including an unproduced sequel to The Goonies
The Goonies
The Goonies is a 1985 American adventure-comedy film directed by Richard Donner. The screenplay was written by Chris Columbus from a story by executive producer Steven Spielberg. The premise surrounds a band of pre-teens who live in the "Goon Docks" neighborhood of Astoria, Oregon hoping to save...
.
Among the television series he has written for is the cult favorite The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., often referred to as just Brisco or Brisco County,The series is referred to as just Brisco or by Brisco County by the creator and executive producer Carlton Cuse, actors involved with the show, and by many critics. Some examples include:* Cuse, Carlton, DVD extra...
, which aired on the Fox Network. He also shared writing credit on Last Rites, an original TV movie for the Starz/Encore! pay cable network starring Randy Quaid
Randy Quaid
Randall Rudy "Randy" Quaid is an American actor perhaps best known for his role as Cousin Eddie in the National Lampoon's Vacation movies, as well as his numerous supporting roles in films, including his Oscar nominated performance in The Last Detail, Independence Day, Kingpin and Brokeback Mountain...
.
In March 2009, Outten's original screenplay, Mysterious Travels, was acquired by Walden Media
Walden Media
Walden Media is a children's film production and publishing company best known as the producers of The Chronicles of Narnia series. Its films are based on notable classic or award-winning children's literature, compelling biographies or historical events, documentaries and some original...
and New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema, often simply referred to as New Line, is an American film studio. It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne as a film distributor, later becoming an independent film studio. It became a subsidiary of Time Warner in 1996 and was merged with larger sister studio Warner...
to serve as the basis for the 3-D sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008 film)
Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008 film)
Journey to the Center of the Earth is an American 2008 3D adventure film starring Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, and Anita Briem...
. He subsequently rewrote the script, customizing the story for the sequel. Titled Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is an upcoming American 3D action-adventure film directed by Brad Peyton and the sequel to the 2008 film Journey to the Center of the Earth....
, the film stars Michael Caine
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
, Dwayne Johnson, Vanessa Hudgens, and Josh Hutcherson
Josh Hutcherson
Joshua Ryan "Josh" Hutcherson is an American film and television actor. He began working in the early 2000s, appearing in several minor film and television roles...
. It is scheduled for release by Warner Bros in 2012.