Robert Towne’s screenplay for *Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes* was effectively nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 1985 Oscars under the name P. H. Vazak, which was his Hungarian sheepdog. Towne had withdrawn his own credit after director Hugh Hudson and writer Michael Austin substantially reworked the script, making the episode an unusual protest over creative control and screenwriting credit.

Towne began developing a more serious, sensual Tarzan adaptation in the 1970s, but sold his interest after his directorial debut, *Personal Best*, struggled commercially. Hudson then took over the film and Austin revised the screenplay; the Academy nominated Austin and Vazak, while Peter Shaffer won the award for *Amadeus*. Towne later described the altered *Greystoke* project as his greatest creative regret.