Francis Lawrence(born March 26, 1971)[1]is an American filmmaker and producer. After establishing himself as a director of music videos and commercials, Lawrence made his feature-length directorial debut with the superhero thrillerConstantine(2005) and has since directed thepost-apocalyptichorror filmI Am Legend(2007), the romantic dramaWater for Elephants(2011), four of the five films inThe Hunger Gamesfilm series,and the spy thrillerRed Sparrow(2018).
Francis Lawrence | |
|---|---|
 Lawrence at the 2015San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | March 26, 1971 Vienna,Austria |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Loyola Marymount University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1993–present |
Early life
editLawrence was born to American parents inVienna,Austria. His father was a theoretical physicist who taught atCalifornia State University, Northridge,and his mother is a vice president of technology at a public-relations agency based in his hometown.[2][3]
He moved to Los Angeles at the age of four.[2]Lawrence worked as second assistant camera on the featurePump Up the Volumedirected byAllan Moyleprior to earning his bachelor's degree in film production atLoyola Marymount UniversityFilm School.
Career
editHe went on to work as first assistant director on the featureMarching Out of Timedirected byAnton Vassilin 1993. Lawrence then joined ex-classmate Michael Jason Rosen in co-directing music videos. Lawrence directed his first music videos for the San Jose band A Western Front. Rosen and Lawrence made the two videos for a total of $3,000 with Jeffrey Michael Cutter, another ex-classmate, shooting for them. Lawrence, Rosen, and Cutter also made a video for Michael Blakey, president of Atico Records and Tidal Force drummer, for that band's single, "A Man Rides Through". Soon, Lawrence became known for his original and imaginative music video scripts and visual directing style.
He eventually joined a major new production company and his successful career as music video director includes having worked with starsRihanna,Green Day,Britney Spears,Black Eyed Peas,Jay-Z,Melanie C,Avril Lavigne,Aerosmith,Janet Jackson,Jennifer Lopez,Lady Gaga,Fastball,Lisa Marie Presley,Destiny's Child,Garbage,Goo Goo Dolls,Gwen Stefani,Shakira,Pink,Nelly Furtado,En Vogue,Monica,Missy Elliott,Justin Timberlake,and theBackstreet Boys.In 2002, he won aLatin Grammy AwardforBest Short Music Videofor directing Shakira's "Suerte"music video.[4]He has also directed numerouscommercialsfor clients such asCoca-Cola,L'Oréal,Calvin Klein,Pepsi-Cola,Maybelline,Kid's Footlocker,Bacardi,McDonald's,GAP,Bud Light,CoverGirl,Oldsmobile,andDisneyland.In 2005, his feature-film debut wasConstantine,based on theHellblazercomic book, starringKeanu Reeves.
In 2007, he directedI Am Legend(based on theRichard Mathesonnovel), withWill Smith.In 2011, he directedWater for Elephants.In 2012, Lawrence directed and executive produced the pilot episode of theFoxparanormalseriesTouch.[5]He is currently signed to DNA Inc. In 2011, he won aGrammy AwardforBest Music Video, Short Formfor directingLady Gaga's "Bad Romance"music video.
In April 2012,Lionsgateannounced that Lawrence had been selected to direct the film adaptation of the novelCatching Fire.[6][7]The book and film were the sequel to the blockbuster hitThe Hunger Games,starringJennifer Lawrence(no relation). This film adaptation ofThe Hunger Gameswas directed byGary Ross,and both novels were written bySuzanne Collins.Lawrence was officially confirmed as the director for the film on May 3, 2012.[8]
He returned to direct the two final parts of the series,The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1(2014) andPart 2(2015).[9]Lawrence is currently working on a film adaptation of the novelSurvivorbyChuck Palahniuk.
Lawrence directedRed Sparrow,based on thenovel of the same namebyJason Matthews,and featuringThe Hunger Gamesstar Jennifer Lawrence andJoel Edgerton.The film was released on March 2, 2018.
Lawrence signed on to directThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,an adaptation of theHunger Gamesprequel novelby original authorSuzanne Collins,in April 2020. The film was released on November 17, 2023.[10][11][12]
In March 2021, his about:blank production company struck a deal withNew Republic Pictures.[13]Their first project together will be an adaptation of thePhilip K. DicknovelVulcan's Hammer,announced in November 2021.[14]In March 2022, it was announced that Lawrence would be directing a feature adaptation of Kevin J. Anderson and Steven L. Sears’Stalag-X,to be written byJoy Wilkinson.[15]In April 2022, it was announced that Lawrence will be one of the executive producers ofChief of WarforApple TV+.[16]
In August 2022, TheWrap reported that Lawrence had signed withNetflixto direct an adaptation ofBioShock,inspired by the 2K Games franchise. In September of the same year, Deadline reported that the director would also be returning to direct a sequel toConstantine.
In November 2023, it was announced that Lawrence would direct and produceThe Long Walkfor Lionsgate, based onthe novelbyStephen Kingand published under the pseudonym "Richard Bachman".[17]Production began inManitobain July 2024, withCooper Hoffman,David Jonsson,Charlie Plummer,andRoman Griffin Davisamong the cast.[18]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Distributor |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Constantine | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| 2007 | I Am Legend | |
| 2011 | Water for Elephants | 20th Century Fox |
| 2013 | The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | Lionsgate |
| 2014 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 | |
| 2015 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 | |
| 2018 | Red Sparrow | 20th Century Fox |
| 2022 | Slumberland | Netflix |
| 2023 | The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | Lionsgate |
| TBA | The Long Walk |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Cammila Collar (2013)."Biography of Francis Lawrence".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon November 14, 2013.
- ^abLee, Chris (February 19, 2005)."From MTV to wrestling with Satan".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedApril 27,2011.
- ^Brownfield, Paul (December 13, 2007)."Finding hope in dystopia".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedApril 27,2011.
- ^"Latin GRAMMYs, Past Winners Search".Latin GRAMMYs.RetrievedAugust 9,2022.
- ^"TOUCH Attracts A Lethal Weapon – Danny Glover Joins FOX Pilot".Seriable. November 8, 2011.
- ^Dershowitz, Jessica (April 20, 2012)."Francis Lawrence to direct" The Hunger Games "sequel" Catching Fire "".CBSNews.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
- ^"Director Francis Lawrence Chosen For ‘Catching Fire’ Sequel To ‘Hunger Games’".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved 2012-04-29.
- ^Staskiewicz, Keith (May 3, 2012)."Francis Lawrence confirmed as 'Catching Fire' director".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedMay 3,2012.
- ^"'Exclusive: Francis Lawrence to Direct Remainder of THE HUNGER GAMES Franchise with Two-Part Adaptation of MOCKINGJAY′ ".Collider. November 1, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon May 12, 2019.RetrievedApril 15,2020.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 21, 2020)."'Hunger Games' Prequel 'The Ballad of Songbirds And Snakes' Moves Forward At Lionsgate With Series Director Francis Lawrence ".Deadline.RetrievedDecember 8,2021.
- ^Hayes, Dade; D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 5, 2021)."'Hunger Games' Prequel To Start Production In First Half Of 2022, Lionsgate Film Boss Joe Drake Says ".Deadline.RetrievedDecember 8,2021.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 28, 2022)."'Hunger Games' Prequel 'The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes' Gets 2023 Release Date – CinemaCon ".Deadline.RetrievedApril 29,2022.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 23, 2021)."New Republic Pictures Inks First-Look Deal With Filmmaker Francis Lawrence".Deadline.RetrievedMarch 25,2021.
- ^Pederson, Erik (November 8, 2021)."'Vulcan's Hammer': Francis Lawrence Directs Film Version Of Philip K. Dick Novel In Works From New Republic ".Deadline.RetrievedDecember 8,2021.
- ^"Francis Lawrence to Direct 'Stalag-X' for New Republic Pictures, About:Blank Producing".March 17, 2022.
- ^Petski, Denise (April 4, 2022)."Jason Momoa To Headline 'Chief Of War' Limited Series For Apple TV+".Deadline.RetrievedApril 6,2022.
- ^Gajewski, Ryan; Kit, Borys (November 30, 2023)."Lionsgate Picks Up Stephen King's 'The Long Walk' with Francis Lawrence Attached to Direct (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJuly 24,2024.
- ^Grobar, Matt (July 24, 2024)."Charlie Plummer & Roman Griffin Davis Among Seven New Additions To Lionsgate's Stephen King Adaptation 'The Long Walk' As Production Begins".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedJuly 24,2024.
External links
edit
- Francis LawrenceatIMDb
- Francis LawrenceArchivedOctober 30, 2012, at theWayback Machineat the mvdbase
- Biografie of Francis LawrenceatThe New York Times