Michelle Trachtenberg Wrote a Screenplay Before Her Death but Producer Says Studio Couldn't Recognize Her 'Incredible' Writing

Mar. 15, 2025

Michelle Trachtenberg.Photo:Jemal Countess/Getty

Jemal Countess/Getty

Michelle Trachtenbergwas not only a gifted performer, but also an accomplished writer.

Before hersudden death at 39, theGossip Girlalum was working on a screenplay for a film titledToy Monster, based on Jerry Oppenheimer’s book of the same name.

Casey Tebo, who was attached to the project as a producer, exclusively tells PEOPLE how passionate she was about the screenplay and how her talents as a writer blew him away.

Michelle Trachtenberg as Georgina Sparks in ‘Gossip Girl’.Giovanni Rufino/THE CW

Giovanni Rufino/THE CW

While Kinberg’s screenplay sold for around seven figures, Tebo wondered why the needle hadn’t moved on Trachtenberg’s.

“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 asHarriet the Spyor Georgina Sparks,” he explains, adding that her script was a “sharp biting dramedy about a maniac toy executive set in the 1950s.”

“The truth is - Michelle was an incredible writer. But no one expects her to write like that,” he continues. “It’s about the struggle for credit, compensation and recognition for success. Something Hollywood knows nothing about I’m sure.”

Michelle Trachtenberg.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

There was a point where Trachtenberg came close to selling the screenplay to a studio, but when the executive on board with the project “‘moved on” from the company, “the project was left in limbo.”

Still, the fight to getToy Monsteron screens is still alive and Tebo, his manager Nick Terry and Trachtenberg’s boyfriend Cohen are “determined” to see it through.

“We’re putting the pieces together to get this film made for Michelle,” Tebo says, revealing that an “angel investor” reached out to him on social media just moments after he made a post about it online.

“Maybe Michelle is looking out for us,” he adds. “I’ve never been a superstitious or spiritual person, but things like that are hard to deny.”

On Feb. 26, Trachtenberg wasfound dead in New York City. The following day, the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE that the actress’ familyobjected to an autopsy, meaning that her cause of death would be ruled “undetermined.”

At the time, a source told PEOPLE that Trachtenberg hadrecently undergone a liver transplant, with another insider revealing that the actresshad been dealing with"health issues.”

“She told friends she was struggling,” the source said. “She was really, really sick and open with those in her circle about how much she was struggling.”

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Jennifer Hutchins, the producer of the film, told PEOPLE theGossip Girlalum was either going to attend in person or virtually “depending on her health.” She added, “There was no public announcement planned as we knew it would be a last minute decision if she was up for it.”

source: people.com