He was working for Mel Brooks and Brooksfilms, and when the pair realized Ronnie Rocket was unlikely to find sufficient financing to be produced, Lynch asked to see some already-written scripts to work from for his next film instead. Cornfeld found four scripts he felt would interest Lynch, but on hearing the name of the first of these, the director decided his next project would be The Elephant Man.
Lynch was collaborating with Mel Brooks and Brooksfilms, and when it became evident that Ronnie Rocket wouldn't receive sufficient funding, he requested access to previously written scripts. Cornfeld provided four scripts he believed would be appealing to Lynch, but upon hearing the title of the first one, the director decided on The Elephant Man as his next project.