A look inside Hollywood and the movies : Bushel of Green for ‘Tomatoes’ Sequel Script

Universal Pictures is reportedly paying Kathy McWorter a whopping $700,000 to write the sequel to its 1991 sleeper hit “Fried Green Tomatoes.” The fee, which could earn the writer as much as $950,000 if the movie is produced and other contractual conditions are met, is giant by industry standards for an assignment given to an unproduced screenwriter. However, McWorter, who will see her first movie made by “Fried Green Tomatoes” director/co-producer Jon Avnet when “The War” goes before the cameras for Universal this August, is no stranger to big bucks.

In October, 1991, the Cal State Northridge graduate sold her spec script “The Cheese Stands Alone” to Paramount Pictures and producer Scott Rudin for a cool $1 million cash--believed to be the most ever paid to a woman screenwriter. The romantic comedy is languishing in development hell after a false start.

About four months ago, McWorter collected a $500,000 check for “The War,” which Universal will release. While Avnet wouldn’t comment on the figure being paid to McWorter for the “Fried Green Tomatoes” sequel, he did acknowledge, “It’s a lot, a lot of money for a man or a woman.” The director was reluctant to talk about the storyline of the follow-up since it’s in the throes of being formulated. He said one of the things being explored is telling the story (in flashback) of the cafe that used to be run by Idgie Threadgoode (Mary Stuart Masterson) and her best friend Ruth Jamison (Mary-Louise Parker) from the point of view of black characters Sipsey (Cicely Tyson) and Big George (Stan Shaw).

The present-day story will pick up where the original left off, with the feisty Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy) coming to live with candy-bar addict Evelyn Couch (Kathy Bates) and her husband Ed (Gailard Sartain).

Avnet says Universal would like to get going on the sequel ASAP, but it won’t be before the director finishes “The War” and, after that, “Waiting for Michael” for 20th Century Fox next spring.