Lionsgate has acquired the Tom Melia spec The Survival List as a starring vehicle for Blake Lively, who will also produce the project. The action rom-com centers on Annie, a highbrow reality TV producer who is reluctantly tapped to host a new show led by famous survival expert Chopper Lane. When a shipwreck strands them on a deserted island, Annie discovers that Chopper is a fraud and knows little about real survival, leaving her to figure out how to keep them alive. Forced to work together, the two quickly uncover an unlikely chemistry that drives the story.
Marc Platt is in talks to produce alongside Lively, with Scott O’Brien overseeing the project for Lionsgate. The involvement of Platt, known for his work on the Wicked films and the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, signals a strong producer-led push for a high-concept genre title.
Lively has been navigating a busy period, including a legal matter with Justin Baldoni related to their Sony film It Ends with Us, and she recently starred in Amazon MGM Studios and Lionsgate’s Another Simple Favor, reuniting with director Paul Feig and co-star Anna Kendrick. That sequel premiered on Prime Video in May after an SXSW debut.
The Survival List comes from British writer Tom Melia, best known for Rye Lane, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and earned a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding British Film in 2024, along with multiple British Independent Film Award nominations. Melia has also written for the Sky shows Brassic and Bloods.
Summary and potential outlook:
– The project marks a continued emphasis on star-driven genre hybrids that blend humor with high-stakes scenarios.
– Lively’s dual role as star and producer positions her to shape a fresh, female-led action-comedy with broad streaming and theatrical potential.
– The collaboration with Platt and Lionsgate points to a production with pedigree and cross-platform appeal, especially given Melia’s recent festival success and track record in contemporary UK cinema.
Additional thoughts:
– If the film hits the right balance of wit, character chemistry, and survival-adventure tension, it could become a standout entry in the growing slate of female-led action comedies.
– The premise invites both laughs and suspense, with potential for strong character arcs and a determined, resourceful heroine at its center.
– A strategic release could leverage streaming momentum from Lively’s recent titles while courting audiences drawn to smart, contemporary takes on survival and reality-TV satire.
Positive note:
This project could further elevate Blake Lively’s profile as a producer who champions clever, genre-bending storytelling and collaborates with acclaimed writers and producers to bring unique concepts to life.