Well… Even after Michelle Trachtenberg’s passing, her impact on the industry was far from over.
The sudden death of Michelle Trachtenberg at age 39 has revealed a hidden talent: her screenwriting skills. Before her passing, the actress was working on a screenplay titled “Toy Monster,” based on the book of the same name by Jerry Oppenheimer.
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Casey Tebo, a director linked to the project, shared with People magazine Trachtenberg’s great talent as a writer. According to Tebo, the screenplay was a “biting, sharp dramedy set in the 1950s about a maniacal toy executive.” He compared the script to Simon Kinberg’s “Here Comes the Flood,” highlighting its quality.
Despite recognition from Tebo and others in the industry, Trachtenberg faced difficulties in being acknowledged as a writer. Tebo lamented that the entertainment industry tended to pigeonhole her in her roles as Harriet in “Harriet the Spy” or Georgina Sparks in “Gossip Girl,” rather than appreciating her writing talent.
Jennifer Hutchins, producer of “Spyral,” Trachtenberg’s last film, also highlighted her wit and creativity, qualities that defined her writing.
Who was Michelle Trachtenberg?
Michelle Trachtenberg was an American actress best known for her roles in television and film. She gained fame as Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2000–2003) and as the lead in Harriet the Spy (1996). Other notable roles include Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl, Jenny in EuroTrip (2004), and appearances in Ice Princess (2005) and 17 Again (2009).
Beyond acting, Trachtenberg worked as a producer and dabbled in voice acting. While she kept a lower profile in recent years, her impact on early 2000s pop culture remains significant.
So… what’s next with ‘Toy Monster’?
“Toy Monster” was close to being acquired by a studio, but the project was put on hold when a key executive left the company. However, Tebo, Trachtenberg’s boyfriend, Jay Cohen, and her manager, Nick Terry, are determined to bring it to the screen in her honor.
“We’re putting the pieces together to make this movie for Michelle,” Tebo said, revealing that an angel investor contacted him on social media shortly after he posted about the project online.
The story of “Toy Monster” centers on Jack Ryan, an engineer who left his job designing missiles for the Pentagon during the Cold War to become the chief engineer at Mattel, where he helped create the Barbie doll, Chatty Cathy, and Hot Wheels.
Jack’s personal life was also dramatic, living a life of excess while creating some of the most important toys of the century.
Only time will tell if Toy Monster will ever see the light of day—whether as a way to honor Trachtenberg’s legacy and beyond or to bring closure to her career.