Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles inHarriet the Spy,Buffy the Vampire Slayer, andGossip Girl, ventured into screenwriting before her untimely death on February 26 at the age of 39. As an adaptation of Jerry Oppenheimer’s book uncovering the eccentric corporate culture of thetoy company Mattel, she penned a screenplay titledToy Monsterin 2019, which delves into the tumultuous life of a 1950s toy executive.
In an interview withPeople,producer Casey Tebo, who was attached to the project, revealed he’s still trying to get a studio to buy it. Since posting about Trachtenberg’s script on social media, an “angel investor” has reached out and reinvigorated his hopes of getting the late actor’s project off the ground. Read what he had to say below:
I don’t remember when, but my dear friend Jay Cohen [Michelle’s boyfriend] sent me a script she had written called “Toy Monster.” The only scripts I remember staying with me like that in recent memory were two: “Here Comes The Flood” by Simon Kinberg and “Toy Monster” around 2019. Because they were the two best, by a landslide.
One of the issues with our industry is they will recognize someone like Simon as a great writer, but they will always look at Michelle as Harriet the Spy or Georgina Sparks. The truth is—Michelle was an incredible writer. But no one expects her to write like that. It’s about the struggle for credit, compensation, and recognition for success. Something Hollywood knows nothing about, I’m sure.
We’re putting the pieces together to get this film made for Michelle. Maybe Michelle is looking out for us. I’ve never been a superstitious or spiritual person, but things like that are hard to deny.
What This Means For Michelle Trachtenberg’s Script
A Chance To Honor The Multi-Talented Actor
Michelle Trachtenberg made her mark in Hollywood asDawn Summers inBuffy the Vampire Slayerand Georgina Sparks inGossip Girl, buther script onToy Monsteris set to prove she was just as talented behind the camera. Producer Casey Tebo has been championing the screenplay alongside Trachtenberg’s long-time partner and talent agent Jay Cohen. Tebo produced Seth Green’s directorial debut withChangelandin 2019, before directingBlack Fridayin 2020, a sci-fi horror action film starring Bruce Campbell and Devon Sawa.
The True Story Of Mattel’s First Black Barbie
The Netflix documentary Black Barbie explores why it took so long, the role of key figures in making it, and how it revolutionized the toy industry.
Jerry Oppenheimer’s bookToy Monster: The Big, Bad World of Mattel, explores the power struggles and drama behind one of the world’s biggest toy companies—documenting the fallout between Mattel founders Ruth and Elliot Handler and toy designer Jack Ryan.Mattel itself has ventured into filmmaking,and achieved major success with Greta Gerwig’sBarbie.The film grossed a whopping $1.6 billion in 2023, prompting Mattel to finance several upcoming live-action adaptations of iconic toy lines such as Barney,Masters of the Universe, and Matchbox.
Our Take On Toy Monster
Hollywood Should Pay Attention To Toy Monster
GettingToy Monstermade would be a triumph—not just for those championing it, but for Trachtenberg’s legacy. Having spent her life in the industry,this film would allow her to posthumously prove her talent as a writer and storyteller, breaking pastthe teen TV dramasthat Hollywood often confined her to.
Although, I imagine the industry’s reluctance may stem from a concern over Mattel. As the company expanded its film slate afterBarbie’s success, studios might be hesitant to back a project that could stir controversy with the toy giant. But a great script is a great script, andToy Monsterdeserves a shot. Hopefully, a few more angel investors may be just enough to bringMichelle Trachtenberg’s vision to the big screen.
