Sony Acquires Ballad Of The Ember Knight Spec Script

Sony Pictures has acquired the spec script The Ballad of the Ember Knight in a near seven-figure deal, securing a 190-page medieval epic written by sibling newcomers Kieran and Brennan O’Dea, according to reports.

Sony Secures Hundred Years’ War Spec Script in Seven-Figure Deal

Sony executives Brittany Morrissey and Peter Kang brought the project into the studio without any producer attachments, according to industry reporting. The script centers on a legendary warrior during the 14th-century conflict between France and England in the Hundred Years’ War. Accused of murdering the royal family, the protagonist must protect the kingdom’s last surviving prince from an ongoing conspiracy to clear his name.

The sale marks the first time they sold a script for Kieran and Brennan O’Dea. Raised in Baltimore and Rochester before moving to northern Idaho, the brothers developed their storytelling foundation from bedtime stories told by their late grandfather, which included The Iliad, The Odyssey, Macbeth, accounts of World War II, and tales of the knight Sir Kay.

Navigating Hollywood’s 110-Page Standard With a 190-Page Script

The sheer length of The Ballad of the Ember Knight presented an immediate hurdle in a Hollywood marketplace governed by standard feature scripts, according to coverage from Scriptshadow. Spec scripts exceeding 180 pages routinely face rejection because buyers often equate length with a lack of craft or an inability to manage pacing.

Before catching the attention of representation at CAA and Kaplan Perrone, the O’Dea brothers submitted the project for an independent screenplay review as a hail-mary effort, according to Scriptshadow. Reviewer records note the script clocked in at 186 to 190 pages, depending on drafts, yet defied expectations by delivering strong character work, intricate plotting, and high stakes that justified its massive page count.

Balancing Feature Ambitions Against Television Formats

Hollywood agencies considered packaging the sweeping narrative as a longform television series rather than a feature film due to its expansive scope, according to reporting. However, the O’Dea brothers resisted the television route and refused demands to slash their work down to standard feature lengths. Kaplan Perrone and CAA championed the package, driving a fast-moving studio bidding war during the typically slow summer material market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote The Ballad of the Ember Knight?

The spec script was written by sibling screenwriters Kieran and Brennan O’Dea, marking their first script sale.

Which studio bought the script and for how much?

Sony acquired the script in a near seven-figure deal, led by executives Brittany Morrissey and Peter Kang.

What is the premise of the story?

Set during the 14th-century Hundred Years’ War, the plot follows a legendary warrior accused of regicide who must protect the realm’s last surviving prince from a deadly conspiracy.

How long is the screenplay?

The spec script runs between 186 and 190 pages, significantly longer than the industry standard feature length.