David Leitch
David Leitch | |
---|---|
Leitch at the 2024 WonderCon | |
Born | [1] Kohler, Wisconsin, U.S.[2] | November 16, 1975
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1995–present |
Spouse |
Kelly McCormick (m. 2014) |
David Leitch (/liːtʃ/;[3] born November 16, 1975)[1] is an American filmmaker, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and actor. He made his directorial debut on the action film John Wick (2014) with Chad Stahelski, though only Stahelski was credited.[4] He later also directed the films Atomic Blonde (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Hobbs & Shaw (2019), Bullet Train (2022), and The Fall Guy (2024).
Career
[edit]Leitch was a stunt double for Brad Pitt five times and twice for Jean-Claude Van Damme.[citation needed] Leitch and his crew won two awards for The Bourne Ultimatum at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.[5] He also shared a 2008 Taurus World Stunt Award with fellow stunt-person Kai Martin for high work.[6]
He wrote and starred in Confessions of an Action Star, a parody of action films and the action film industry released in 2009.[7][8]
Leitch and Chad Stahelski opened an action design production company called 87Eleven in 1997. In 2009, Stahelski and Leitch were second-unit directors and stunt co-ordinators on Ninja Assassin. The two co-directed the 2014 film John Wick,[9] although Leitch himself was not credited as co-director. Leitch executive produced the three John Wick sequels, which Stahelski solo directed.
He moved on to direct films such as Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2 and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw with his wife and creative partner Kelly McCormick serving as a producer. In 2022, he also directed Brad Pitt in the action-thriller Bullet Train.
In September 2020, Leitch signed on to direct and produce stuntman drama The Fall Guy for Universal Pictures, with Drew Pearce writing the screenplay and Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt starring. The film, based on the 1980s television series of the same name, released in the United States on May 3, 2024.[10][11][12][13]
Upcoming projects
[edit]In January 2019, Leitch signed on to direct Undying Love, based on the limited comic book series by Tomm Coker and Daniel Freedman, for Studio 8.[14] In July 2022, it was announced Leitch would direct the television miniseries Hot Air, starring Andrew Garfield as Richard Branson, based on the book Dirty Secrets by Martyn Gregory.[15] In November 2022, Leitch became attached to direct spy thriller Red Shirt, based on a pitch by Simon Kinberg and with Channing Tatum set to star; by the end of the month, the project was picked up by Amazon Studios.[16][17]
Leitch was set to direct the action thriller Fast & Loose for Netflix and STXfilms, with Will Smith set to star, but by March 2022, he left the project to focus instead on The Fall Guy.[11][18] Leitch was in discussions to direct a new Jurassic Park film[19] scheduled for July 2, 2025,[20][21] but left the project over creative differences; the film was ultimately directed by Gareth Edwards.[22][23][24]
Personal life
[edit]Leitch dated actress Maggie Q from 2009 to 2011.
He has been married to executive producer Kelly McCormick since 2014.
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Director | Producer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | John Wick | Uncredited | Yes | Co-directed with Chad Stahelski |
2017 | Atomic Blonde | Yes | No | |
2018 | Deadpool 2 | Yes | No | |
2019 | Hobbs & Shaw | Yes | No | |
2022 | Bullet Train | Yes | Yes | |
2024 | The Fall Guy | Yes | Yes |
Producer only
- Nobody (2021)
- Violent Night (2022)
- With Love (2025)
- Nobody 2 (2025)
Writer
Executive producer
- John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
- John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
- Kate (2021)
- John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
Short film
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2017 | No Good Deed | |
2019 | Snowbrawl | Shot on iPhone 11, sponsored by Apple Inc.[25] |
2nd unit director
Acting credits
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | The Order | Det. Mike Moran | |
2002 | Nine Lives | Paul | |
2003 | In Hell | Paul | |
2005 | V for Vendetta | Convenience Store V | |
Confessions of an Action Star | Frank Sledge | ||
The Dukes of Hazzard | Puncher | ||
2007 | Fetch | John "Fetch" Fetcher | Short film |
2009 | Ninja Assassin | Europol Door Guard | |
2010 | The King of Fighters | Terry Bogard | |
2011 | The Mechanic | Sebastian | |
2012 | The Bourne Legacy | The Driver | |
2013 | Escape Plan | Ship Captain | |
2018 | Deadpool 2 | Cain Marko / Juggernaut Ground Church Mutant |
Leitch provided motion-capture performance on-set, while Ryan Reynolds provided facial motion-capture and voice performances |
2019 | Hobbs & Shaw | Helicopter Pilot | |
2022 | Bullet Train | Jeff Zufelt |
Television
[edit]Stunts
[edit]Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
1995 | Sherman Oaks | Season 1 |
1996 | 7th Heaven | |
1997-2001 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | 18 episodes |
1998 | CHiPs '99 | TV movie |
1999 | The Practice | Episode: "Day in Court" |
The Strip | ||
2000 | The President's Man | TV movie |
2001 | The Pretender 2001 | |
Scrubs | ||
2006 | 2006 MTV Movie Awards | TV special; Stunt double |
General Hospital | Episode 10967 |
Acting credits
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | Martial Law | David Hasbro | Episodes "Diamond Fever", "Dead Ringers", "Funny Money" and "Trackdown" |
2000 | Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue | Brian | Episode "Up to the Challenge" |
2001 | Walker Texas Ranger | Floyd Jessop | Episode "Medieval Crimes" |
2003 | L.A. County 187 | Earnest Cop | TV movie |
2004 | Charmed | Innocent | Episode "There's Something About Leo" |
2019 | Songland | Himself | Episode "Aloe Blacc" |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Year | Association | Nominated work | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | 300 | Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture | Nominated | [26] |
The Bourne Ultimatum | Won | [5] | |||
2019 | Grammy Awards | Deadpool 2 | Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media | Nominated | [27] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "David Leitch". AlloCiné. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "5 questions with "Hobbs & Shaw" director - and Wisconsin native - David Leitch". OnMilwaukee. August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ Murphy, Mekado (May 17, 2018). "Anatomy of a Scene | 'Deadpool 2'". The New York Times. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ "John Wick' Filmmakers on How to Direct Action, DGA, Keanu Reeves' Advice, and More". The Film Stage. October 21, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- ^ a b "Final 14th Annual SAG Awards Recipient Press Release". Screen Actors Guild. January 27, 2008. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
- ^ "Taurus World Stunt Award Winners and Nominees 2008". Taurus World Stunt Award. 2008. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-12.
- ^ "Interview with David Leitch (Matrix, 300, Wolverine, Bourne Ultimatum, Confessions of an Action Star) Pt. 1". Action Flick Chick. May 15, 2009.
- ^ "Interview with David Leitch (Part 2)". Action Flick Chick. June 16, 2009.
- ^ "Keanu Reeves, 'John Wick' Directors on How Their 'Matrix' Past Helped With Assassin Film". The Hollywood Reporter. 24 October 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (2020-09-23). "Universal Lands Hot One: Stuntman-Turned-Director David Leitch To Helm Untitled Stuntman Drama To Star Ryan Gosling; Entertainment 360, 87North and Gosling Producing". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
- ^ a b Kroll, Justin (July 27, 2021). "Netflix Acquires Hot Package 'Fast & Loose' From STXfilms With Will Smith Starring And David Leitch Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (August 12, 2022). "Emily Blunt Joins Ryan Gosling In Universal's 'The Fall Guy' Movie; Studio Sets Release Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
- ^ Zee, Michaela (November 14, 2023). "'The Fall Guy' Release Date Moved to May, Stakes Out 'Deadpool 3' Slot". Variety. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (30 January 2019). "David Leitch To Helm 'Undying Love;' Graphic Novel Moves To Studio 8". Deadline. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 15, 2022). "Andrew Garfield To Star As Richard Branson In 'Hot Air' Limited Series; David Leitch To Direct For Universal Int'l Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (November 17, 2022). "Hot Package: Channing Tatum Teams With Simon Kinberg And David Leitch On 'Red Shirt'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 28, 2022). "Amazon Studios Lands Hot Package 'Red Shirt' From Channing Tatum, David Leitch And Simon Kinberg". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
- ^ Burton, Carson (April 2, 2022). "Netflix Pumps Brakes on Will Smith Action Film ' Fast & Loose'". Variety. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
- ^ Kit, Borys; Gajewski, Ryan (February 5, 2024). "David Leitch in Talks to Direct New 'Jurassic World' Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (January 22, 2024). "New 'Jurassic World' Movie in the Works with David Koepp Writing (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 5, 2024). "'Jurassic World' New Movie Eyes Summer 2025 Release". Deadline. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ Couch, Aaron (2024-02-09). "'Jurassic World' Loses Director David Leitch". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Jr, Justin Kroll,Mike Fleming; Kroll, Justin; Jr, Mike Fleming (2024-02-05). "New 'Jurassic World' Movie At Universal Circling David Leitch To Direct–The Dish". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Kit, Borys (February 20, 2024). "New 'Jurassic World' Movie Enlists Director Gareth Edwards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ "Snowbrawl – Impressive iPhone 11 Pro Short Movie by David Leitch". Cinema5D. December 3, 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
- ^ "List of Screen Actors Guild Award Nominees and Winners". The New York Times. January 27, 2008. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "David Leitch". The Recording Academy. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
External links
[edit]- Living people
- 1975 births
- American male film actors
- Film directors from Wisconsin
- American stunt performers
- American male television actors
- American parodists
- American comedy film directors
- Parody film directors
- American action film directors
- 21st-century American male actors
- People from Kohler, Wisconsin
- Film producers from Wisconsin