Bridge of Spies Screenwriter Matt Charman Shares Tips

Matt Charman, screenwriter of Bridge of Spies, has experienced a meteoric rise in the film industry. He shares his insights with new screenwriters in this video.

If you haven’t heard of Matt Charman, it is likely because the rookie screenwriter only recently struck gold with his screenplay, Bridge of Spies. When Matt pitched Bridge of Spies to Dreamworks, he was floored to hear that venerable director Steven Spielberg was interested in helming the feature. After Matt’s nerve-wracking conversation with Spielberg, he got to work, churning out the first draft of the historical drama in eight weeks. After a few rounds of notes and edits with the Saving Private Ryan director, Charman delivered the finished script that would land him an Oscar nomination.

Bridge of Spies chronicles the struggle for an American lawyer to defend an alleged Soviet spy during the cold war. The film stars Tom Hanks (Castaway, Captain Phillips) and Domenick Lombardozzi (The Wire). Bridge of Spies has achieved critical acclaim, receiving an, “A” Cinemascore and rated 92% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Bridge of Spies’ screenwriter Matt Charman

Before Bridge of Spies, Matt Charman worked on on several UK television series, including Black Work, and Our Zoo, and wrote the screenplay for Suite Francaise, a period piece starring Michelle Williams, Kristin Scott Thomas and Margot Robbie.

“What is on the horizon for Matt Charman?” you might ask. Charman is busy at work on Patriots Day, a Pete Berg (Lone Survivor) directed film starring Mark Wahlberg and J.K. Simmons slated for release later in 2016.

Want to learn more about Matt Charman? Check out our recap of the Annual Oscar-Nominated Screenwriters Panel.