Hollywood may seem to be predominantly about pre-existing intellectual properties and sequels these days, but it's still possible to sneak through an original project occasionally. For proof, look to Robert Archer Lynn, who has just sold his spec screenplay The Envoy to Warner Bros, and seen action-meister Joel Silver attached as producer.

According to THR, The Envoy revolves around a diplomatic courier whose routine delivery becomes more stressful than anticipated. It turns out that his diplomatic package contains stolen intelligence about a terrorist attack on America, prompting a race across Vienna as he tries to evade bad guys and get to the US embassy unscathed and intact.

Lynn was a contestant on the 2003 season of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Project Greenlight on HBO, a competition series giving budding filmmakers the chance at their first big break. He didn't win, but has since written and directed a handful of low-budget independent films. Most star his frequent collaborator David Alford. Prisoner (2007) scored Elias Koteas.

The Envoy marks his first big studio sale, however, and with no director yet attached, Lynn may well have his fingers crossed that his involvement doesn't end there. Silver and his producing partner Andrew Rona, meanwhile, will be hoping it can be shaped into another Euro-flavoured hit like their recent Unknown...