Back in Black

Another one of the big-name screenwriters from the golden age of the spec script (the 90s), Shane Black, resurfaced last year with the well-received Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. Black made his bones on big studio action buddy pics, like the Lethal Weapon series. His scripts, if you haven't read any (and you really should), are models for the breezy, post-modern style of screenwriting that now seems everyday. After receiving $2 $4 million -- the highest spec sale up to that date -- for The Long Kiss Goodnight, Shane dropped off Hollywood's radar screen. Now he lives in Austin and is content to write and direct movies on his own terms. Austinist caught up with him at this year's Austin Film Festival for an interview on his past and future career.