Screenwriter, storyteller, and member of the Italian Society Lorenzo Pelosini is a unique individual with an even more unique story defined by following his dreams, a resolute belief, and a burning passion for writing. Pelosini was born in Italy, but early in his youth, found himself fascinated with the cinematic world of superheroes—so much so that it inspired him to leave his home country and study at the prestigious University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. Today, as he prepares for the release of his debut comic book, Nicholas Knight, Pelosini reflects on the power of storytelling to bridge cultures, spark imagination, and shape identities.
Yet, before diving into his narrative, we must begin with his origin story where he first dreamed of becoming a writer and filmmaker. “The U.S. felt like a very distant Olympus land made of movies,” he shared. “I wanted to make movies. I wanted to join the industry and write movies and write novels.” His journey to USC was not an easy one; it was a leap of faith made possible with the help of his grandmother, who sold her house to help fund his education. “She told me she didn’t want the money and instead encouraged me to follow my dreams. So I applied to USC and did exactly that.”
After graduating from USC in 2017, Pelosini began working in Hollywood, navigating a challenging industry as an immigrant. “I always had to use the back door because, as you probably imagine, it’s not always easy for immigrants to get in the work industry.” Despite the odds, his persistence paid off. He became the Vice President of Development at Silver Screen Entertainment and successfully sold several screenplays for the American market.
Yet, it is his upcoming comic book, Nicholas Knight, that feels like the culmination of his creative journey so far. The story began as a class project during his time at USC. “I came up with the idea of a child who’s 11 and is in that limbo between being a child and not believing in Santa anymore,” Pelosini explains. “He finds out that Santa doesn’t exist after his parents tell him abruptly. He’s devastated, but just as BAtman becomes the justice he believes doesn’t exist in the world… instead of renouncing it, he says, ‘I will become what is missing in the world.’”
The protagonist of Nicholas Knight transforms into a protector of his neighborhood, creating an alter ego that embodies hope and wonder. Pelosini likens this narrative to iconic superhero origin stories, particularly Batman and Spider-Man. “It is a love letter to Marvel,” he says, noting the story’s thematic ties to Spider-Man No More, the pivotal comic where Peter Parker reclaims his identity as Spider-Man for the greater good. “In that limbo between grown-up and child, [Nicholas] is about to give up the colors and the bright imagination that he used to have. And instead of giving them up, he says, ‘I will become those things rather than waiting for them.’”
For Pelosini, Nicholas Knight reflects more than just his passion for superheroes—it’s a metaphor for his own journey as an artist and immigrant. “Everything I’ve always written has been about someone who is born far from the things he really loves and sees himself emerge in the future.” He likens his journey to that of Luke Skywalker, who dreamed of piloting spaceships while stranded on a desert planet. “Because I was born far away from what I love, namely Hollywood, made me feel closer to my favorite characters, who were all born very far from what they really wanted.”
As Pelosini prepares Nicholas Knight for its anticipated release in 2025, he envisions it as a testament to the transformative power of stories. “People treat the fact that I’m bilingual and the fact that I am traveling across two cultures as a handicap. I don’t agree. I sincerely don’t. I think it’s kind of a… I wouldn’t call it a superpower, but it’s an extra skill that allows me to perceive things differently which translates in my storytelling.” His duality, rooted in both Italian and American cultures, allows him to tell stories that resonate with audiences across the globe.
Pelosini’s work often explores the balance between identity and ambition, blending elements of personal experience with universal themes. “The carrying theme of everything that I’ve ever done is always essentially two things,” he says. “Trying to keep the inner child alive on one hand… and secondly, the approach to the future.”
This philosophy is at the heart of Nicholas Knight, a story about a boy who refuses to abandon his belief in magic and becomes a beacon of hope for others. “He will be the light that is missing from the world,” Pelosini continues. In crafting this tale, Pelosini hopes to inspire readers to embrace their own identities and dreams, just as he has done throughout his journey.
When asked about his ultimate goal, Pelosini is unequivocal: to contribute to the Marvel universe. “When I ask myself ‘Where would you see yourself? Where do you want to be more than anything?’ The answer would be to contribute to the multiverse of Marvel.” His dream is not rooted in ego but in a desire to be part of something larger. “I just want to be in the writers’ room where the next big vision happens and maybe, as Robin Williams would say, contribute a verse.”
For Pelosini, the stories he tells are not just narratives—they are beacons, guiding him and his audience toward a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. “My biggest ambition is to write something that eventually… people, especially young people, would read and go, ‘Oh my gosh, five minutes ago I was completely lost, and now I know who I am.’”
With Nicholas Knight, Pelosini is well on his way to achieving that dream, lighting the path for the next generation of heroes.
