Destin Yori Daniel Crettonis an American filmmaker. He is best known for directing the drama filmsShort Term 12(2013),The Glass Castle(2017),Just Mercy(2019) as well as theMarvel StudiosfilmShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings(2021).
Destin Daniel Cretton | |
|---|---|
 Cretton at the 2019San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | Destin Yori Daniel Cretton |
| Alma mater | Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego State University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Spouse |
Nicola Chapman (m.2016) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editCretton was born and raised inHaiku, Hawaiion the island ofMaui.He is of half-Japanese descent.[2][3]He was home-schooled by his Christian mother.[4][5]His sister Joy is a costume designer who has worked on several of Destin's projects.[6]He lived in Haiku in a two-bedroom house with his five siblings,[7]until he was 19 years old. He moved toSan Diego, California,to attendPoint Loma Nazarene University,where he majored incommunications.[8]After graduating, Cretton worked for two years as a staff person at a group home for at-risk teenagers.[9][10]
He made short films as a hobby, which developed as a vocational path. He attended and graduated from film school atSan Diego State University.[9]
Career
editWhile at San Diego State University, Cretton made a 22-minute short film,Short Term 12,based on his experiences at the facility for teenagers. The short film premiered at the2009 Sundance Film Festival,where it won the Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking.[11]
After graduating from film school, Cretton made his feature directorial debut with the 90 minute film,I Am Not a Hipster,which premiered at Sundance on January 20, 2012.[12]The film was produced by Ron Najor, who would later go on to produce thefeature adaptation of Short Term 12alongside Maren Olson, Asher Goldstein, and Joshua Astrachan.[13]Cretton's feature-length screenplay won one of theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' fiveNicholl Fellowships in Screenwritingin 2010.[14]
The film premiered on March 10, 2013, atSouth by Southwest,where it won the Grand Jury and Audience Awards for a Narrative Feature.[15]Widely acclaimed as one of the best films of 2013, it was listed on many film critics' annual top ten lists.[16]The film earned several accolades, including threeIndependent Spirit Awardnominations.[17]
In 2014, Cretton was attached to rewrite the script and directThe Glass Castle,an adaptation ofJeannette Walls'2005 best-selling memoir of the same nameabout a successful young woman raised by severely dysfunctional parents.[18]Starring Brie Larson, the film also featuresWoody HarrelsonandNaomi Wattsas her alcoholic father and eccentric mother, respectively.[19]Larson's role was originally considered byJennifer Lawrence,but she dropped out while the studio was seeking the male lead.[20]The film was released on August 10, 2017.[19]It received mixed reviews from critics; they praised the performances of its cast (particularly Larson and Harrelson) but criticized the emotional tones and adaptation of the source material.[21]
In 2016, it was announced thatRyan Cooglerhad teamed up with Cretton and poet/playwrightChinaka Hodgeto developMinors,a television drama series produced by Charles D. King. Drawing from Cretton's experiences working in residential foster care, Hodge's background teaching under-served youth in San Francisco Bay area continuation schools and Coogler's upbringing in the East Bay,Minorspromises to take an unflinching look at institutionalization, exploring juvenile facilities and the children who grow up in that system. The series will show how that system shapes young people over a one-year period. Hodge will write the series, and Coogler and Cretton will direct.[22]
Cretton subsequently teamed with Larson andMichael B. JordanforJust Mercy,a drama film based on civil rights defense attorneyBryan Stevenson'sNew York Timesbestselling memoir:Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption.[23]Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, where he provided defense counsel to men on death row. The plot follows Stevenson (Jordan) as he explores the case of a death row prisoner,Walter McMillian,whom he fought to free.[24]The film premiered at theToronto International Film Festivalon September 6, 2019,[25]and was theatrically released on December 25, 2019, byWarner Bros. Pictures.Just Mercywas critically acclaimed.[26]
In March 2019, Cretton was hired byMarvel Studiosto direct a film based onShang-Chi.[27]Both the film and Cretton's involvement were confirmed duringSan Diego Comic-Conin 2019, with the film being titledShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.[28]The film, which is Marvel's first superhero movie tentpole franchise with an Asian protagonist,[23]starsSimu Liuas the title character, withTony Leung Chiu-waiandAwkwafinaco-starring.[28]On January 5, 2020, Cretton said that he signed up to the project because he wanted "to give [his] son a superhero to look up to".[29]The film was set to be released on February 12, 2021,[28]but was delayed to May 7[30]and later July 9[31]due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.During the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Shang-Chi'sproduction inAustraliawas temporarily suspended while Cretton self-isolated. Production was halted on March 12, 2020,[32]and resumed in August 2020 and concluded in October 2020.Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringswas released in theaters on September 3, 2021.[33]In December 2021, Cretton signed a deal with Marvel Studios andHulu'sOnyx Collectiveto develop aShang-Chisequel and new Disney+ MCU series through his production banner Family Owned.[34]In June 2022, the series was revealed to be in early development and titledWonder Man,centered on the characterSimon Williams / Wonder Man,with Cretton directing two episodes of the series and developing it with series creator andshowrunnerAndrew Guest.[35][36]In July, Cretton was confirmed as the director ofAvengers: The Kang Dynastyfor Marvel Studios.[37]In November 2023, Cretton stepped down as the director ofAvengers: The Kang Dynastyto focus on other Marvel projects, such as theShang-Chisequel andWonder Man.[36]
In December 2022, Cretton was revealed to be an executive producer on the short filmSame Old,which was written and directed byLloyd Lee Choi.Cretton is set to produce a feature-length film adaptation of the short, titledLucky Lu,through his Family Owned banner alongside Ron Najor and Asher Goldstein, with Choi returning as writer and director.[38][39]The following year, Cretton was reported to be an executive producer on Choi's short filmClosing Dynasty.[39]
In February 2024, Cretton was revealed to be directing, co-writing, and co-producingNaruto,based on themangaseries of the same nameforLionsgate.[40]In September that same year, it was announced Cretton would be directing theuntitledSpider-Man: No Way HomesequelforSony Picturesand Marvel Studios.[41]
Personal life
editIn 2016, Cretton married fashion designer Nicola "Nikki" Chapman.[42][43]They have two children.[44]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | I Am Not a Hipster | Yes | Yes | Also producer and editor |
| 2013 | Short Term 12 | Yes | Yes | |
| 2017 | The Glass Castle | Yes | Yes | Co-wrote withAndrew LanhamandMarti Noxon |
| The Shack | No | Yes | Co-wrote withJohn FuscoandAndrew Lanham | |
| 2019 | Just Mercy | Yes | Yes | Co-wrote with Andrew Lanham |
| 2021 | Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | Yes | Yes | Co-wrote withDave Callahamand Andrew Lanham |
Executive producer
- Same Old(2022)
Documentary film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Drakmar: A Vassal's Journey | Yes | Yes | Also co-producer and editor |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Director | Executive Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–24 | Tokyo Vice | No | Yes | |
| 2023 | American Born Chinese | Yes | Yes | 2 episodes |
| 2025 | Wonder Man† | Yes | Yes | Post-production; 2 episodes[36] |
References
edit- ^Tekula, Sara (June 17, 2013)."Featured Filmmaker: Destin Cretton, Writer/Director of 'Short Term 12'".Maui Film Festival.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-11-13.RetrievedJuly 9,2014.
- ^Willmore, Alison (May 31, 2016)."28 Asian-American Filmmakers You Need To Know".BuzzFeed.
- ^Robinson, Greg (January 1, 2018)."The Great Unknown and the Unknown Great: Cinematic 20th century Nikkei".Nichi Bei.org.
- ^Wianecki, Shannon (October–November 2013)."Moving Pictures".Hana Hou!.Vol. 16, no. 5. Archived fromthe originalon 2021-04-18.Retrieved2019-03-14.
- ^Sugidono, Chris (August 11, 2017)."Filmmaker recalls his Haiku past while directing 'The Glass Castle'".The Maui News.
- ^Shang-Chi Director Destin Daniel Cretton Reveals His Sister Worked on the Movie's Costumes
- ^Valentini, Valentina (August 8, 2017)."Director Destin Daniel Cretton Has Always Lived in The Glass Castle".Vanity Fair.
- ^Goldstein, Jessica (August 30, 2013)."'Short Term 12' writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton on real-life inspiration behind his film ".The Washington Post.RetrievedFebruary 5,2014.
- ^ab"Meet the 2013 SXSW Filmmakers #30: 'Hipster' Destin Daniel Cretton Returns With Brie Larson Starring Drama 'Short Term 12'".Indiewire.March 5, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 5,2014.
- ^Adams, Sam (August 23, 2013)."Short Term 12 filmmaker Destin Cretton".The Dissolve.RetrievedFebruary 5,2014.
- ^Goldstein, Jessica (August 31, 2013)."'Short Term 12' writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton on real-life inspiration behind his film ".The Washington Post.RetrievedApril 22,2014.
- ^Harvey, Dennis (21 January 2012)."I Am Not a Hipster".Variety.
- ^"Ron Najor".Film Independent.
- ^"Short Term 12"(PDF)(Press release). Verve Pictures. 2013. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on July 14, 2014.RetrievedApril 22,2014.
- ^Hopewell, John (August 11, 2013)."Memento Rolls Out 'Short Term 12' (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.RetrievedApril 22,2014.
- ^"Film Critic Top 10 Lists - Best Movies of 2013".Metacritic.Archived fromthe originalon January 2, 2014.RetrievedMarch 10,2019.
- ^Atkinson, Katie (March 1, 2014)."Independent Spirit Awards 2014: The winners list".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedApril 24,2014.
- ^McNary, Dave (August 8, 2014)."Jennifer Lawrence's 'Glass Castle' Gains Momentum at Lionsgate".Variety.Retrieved2016-03-26.
- ^abKit, Borys (2016-03-29)."Naomi Watts in Talks to Join Brie Larson in Drama 'Glass Castle' (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved2016-03-30.
- ^Busch, Anita (November 5, 2015)."Woody Harrelson in Talks For 'The Glass Castle' Opposite Brie Larson".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved2016-03-26.
- ^Giles, Jeff (August 10, 2017)."Annabelle: Creation is a Potent Prequel".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.RetrievedAugust 11,2017.
- ^Lincoln, Ross A. (February 25, 2016)."Ryan Coogler Teams With Destin Daniel Cretton & Chinaka Hodge For TV Drama 'Minors'".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved2016-03-25.
- ^abFleming, Mike Jr. (March 13, 2019)."Destin Daniel Cretton Marvel's Choice To Direct 'Shang-Chi'".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved2019-04-19.
- ^Petski, Denise; Ramos, Dino-Ray (August 8, 2018)."Brie Larson In Talks To Join Michael B. Jordan In 'Just Mercy'".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved2019-04-19.
- ^Lang, Brent (July 23, 2019)."Toronto Film Festival: 'Joker,' 'Ford v Ferrari,' 'Hustlers' Among Big Premieres".Variety.RetrievedJuly 23,2019.
- ^"Michael B. Jordan's 'Just Mercy' Lands Year-End Awards Release; 'Sesame Street' Officially Pushed".The Hollywood Reporter.16 July 2019.Retrieved2019-11-30.
- ^Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (March 13, 2019)."Marvel's 'Shang-Chi' Sets Director Destin Daniel Cretton".Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedMarch 13,2019.
- ^abcKroll, Justin (July 20, 2019)."Marvel'sShang-ChiFinds Its Lead ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on July 21, 2019.RetrievedJuly 20,2019.
- ^Ford, Rebecca (January 5, 2020)."From 'Just Mercy' to 'Shang-Chi': Why Destin Daniel Cretton Shifted Gears for Marvel's Superhero Film".Hollywood Reporter.
- ^Welk, Brian (April 3, 2020)."'Black Widow' Moves to November as Other MCU Films Shift Back to 2021, 2022 ".The Wrap.
- ^Lang, Brent; Rubin, Rebecca (September 23, 2020)."'Black Widow,' 'West Side Story,' 'Eternals' Postpone Release Dates ".Variety.
- ^Kit, Borys (March 12, 2020)."Marvel's 'Shang-Chi' Temporarily Suspends Production as Director Self-Isolates (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^"Is This Our First Look At Tony Leung's Mandarin In 'Shang-Chi'?".Heroic Hollywood.2021-04-02.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony; Andreeva, Nellie; Kroll, Justin (December 6, 2021)."Destin Daniel Cretton Inks Overall Deal With Marvel Studios & Hulu's Onyx Collective; Set For Disney+ MCU Series & 'Shang-Chi' Sequel".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on December 6, 2021.RetrievedDecember 6,2021.
- ^Kit, Borys (June 16, 2022)."Marvel Developing 'Wonder Man' Series with Destin Daniel Cretton, Andrew Guest (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on June 16, 2022.RetrievedJune 16,2022.
- ^abcD'Alessasndro, Anthony (November 15, 2023)."Destin Daniel Cretton Departs As Director On 'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty'; Remains Aboard 'Wonder Man', 'Shang-Chi 2' & More In MCU".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2023.RetrievedNovember 15,2023.
- ^Kit, Borys (July 26, 2022)."'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty' to Be Directed by 'Shang-Chi' Filmmaker' Destin Daniel Cretton (Exclusive) ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on July 24, 2022.RetrievedJuly 26,2022.
- ^Yossman, K. J. (2022-12-13)."Destin Daniel Cretton Boards Lloyd Lee Choi's Short 'Same Old' as Exec Producer, Feature Adaptation in the Works (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.Retrieved2024-01-01.
- ^abYossman, K. J. (2023-12-13)."Gemma Chan, Destin Daniel Cretton Board Lloyd Lee Choi's Short Film 'Closing Dynasty' as Executive Producers (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.Retrieved2024-01-01.
- ^Kit, Borys (February 23, 2024)."'Naruto' Movie in the Works with Destin Daniel Cretton Writing and Directing (Exclusive) ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on February 23, 2024.RetrievedFebruary 23,2024.
- ^Kit, Borys (2024-09-09)."'Spider-Man 4' Finds Its Director in Destin Daniel Cretton (Exclusive) ".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved2024-09-09.
- ^"Director Destin Daniel Cretton Has Always Lived in The Glass Castle".Vanity Fair.2017-08-08.Retrieved2021-09-04.
- ^"Zola Registry".zola.Retrieved2021-09-04.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (2020-03-17)."'Shang-Chi' Director Destin Daniel Cretton Tests Negative For Coronavirus, Says "Social Distancing Is An Act Of Love…For Every Person"".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved2021-09-04.