Paramount Primal Snaps Up High-Concept Thriller Spec 'Sweet Spot' From Nic Curcio & Kirby Gladstein
News Source
•Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:42:00 +0000
🔍 The Backstory
Paramount Primal, the studio's genre-focused label, has preemptively acquired the high-concept thriller spec script 'Sweet Spot' from writing duo Nic Curcio and Kirby Gladstein. Plot details are currently under wraps, and no talent is yet attached to the project. The acquisition represents a significant payday for the young writers, who began collaborating in 2023.
Curcio has been building a notable screenwriting career. He was a writer on Sony Pictures Animation's hit 'GOAT' (starring Caleb McLaughlin, David Harbour, and Gabrielle Union), which grossed over $195M worldwide earlier this year. He has developed projects for multiple studios including a live-action 'Magic School Bus' for Universal and an adaptation of 'Planet of the Nerds' for Paramount. His script 'Barron' was featured on the 2019 Black List. Additionally, he runs a popular screenwriting TikTok account with nearly 200K followers and over 10M likes.
🎯 Why It Matters
This acquisition reflects the continuing demand for high-concept spec scripts in Hollywood, particularly for genre-driven content that can be developed relatively inexpensively compared to franchise blockbusters. Paramount Primal's genre focus makes it a natural home for thriller material.
The deal also highlights the changing pathways into professional screenwriting. Curcio's combination of traditional development work (Sony, Universal) with a social media presence (his TikTok account) represents a modern approach to building a writing career. His Black List recognition in 2019 has clearly translated into consistent studio work and now a significant spec sale.
Paramount Primal, the studio's genre-focused label, has preemptively acquired the high-concept thriller spec script 'Sweet Spot' from writing duo Nic Curcio and Kirby Gladstein. Plot details are currently under wraps, and no talent is yet attached to the project. The acquisition represents a significant payday for the young writers, who began collaborating in 2023.
Curcio has been building a notable screenwriting career. He was a writer on Sony Pictures Animation's hit 'GOAT' (starring Caleb McLaughlin, David Harbour, and Gabrielle Union), which grossed over $195M worldwide earlier this year. He has developed projects for multiple studios including a live-action 'Magic School Bus' for Universal and an adaptation of 'Planet of the Nerds' for Paramount. His script 'Barron' was featured on the 2019 Black List. Additionally, he runs a popular screenwriting TikTok account with nearly 200K followers and over 10M likes.
This acquisition reflects the continuing demand for high-concept spec scripts in Hollywood, particularly for genre-driven content that can be developed relatively inexpensively compared to franchise blockbusters. Paramount Primal's genre focus makes it a natural home for thriller material.
The deal also highlights the changing pathways into professional screenwriting. Curcio's combination of traditional development work (Sony, Universal) with a social media presence (his TikTok account) represents a modern approach to building a writing career. His Black List recognition in 2019 has clearly translated into consistent studio work and now a significant spec sale.