David Koepp
David Koepp | |
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![]() David Koepp, 2022 | |
Born | |
Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1988–present |
Known for | |
Spouse | Melissa Thomas |
Children | 4 |
Awards |
David Koepp(/kɛp/;[1]born June 9, 1963) is an American screenwriter and director. He is the ninth most successful screenwriter of all time in terms of U.S. box office receipts with a total gross of over $2.3 billion.[2]Koepp has achieved both critical and commercial success in a wide variety of genres:thriller,science fiction,comedy,action,drama,crime,superhero,horror,adventure,andfantasy.
Some of the best-known films he has written include the sci-fi adventure filmsJurassic Park(1993),The Lost World: Jurassic Park(1997), andIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull(2008); the crime filmCarlito's Way(1993); the action spy filmsMission: Impossible(1996) andJack Ryan: Shadow Recruit(2014); the superhero filmSpider-Man(2002); the sci-fi disaster filmWar of the Worlds(2005) and the mystery thrillerAngels & Demons(2009). Koepp has directed seven feature films over the course of his career:The Trigger Effect(1996),Stir of Echoes(1999),Secret Window(2004),Ghost Town(2008),Premium Rush(2012),Mortdecai(2015), andYou Should Have Left(2020).
Early life and education
[edit]Koepp was born inPewaukee, Wisconsinas the youngest of four children, to Donald Koepp, who owned abillboardcompany,[3]and a family therapist mother.[4]While attendingKettle Moraine High SchoolinWales, Wisconsin,he worked evenings and weekends at theMcDonald'srestaurant inDelafield.[citation needed]Originally studying to become an actor, first at theUniversity of Minnesotafor a year and afterwards at theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madisonfor two years, he enrolled in the film school of theUniversity of California, Los Angeles(UCLA) in 1984.[4][5][6]He graduated with a bachelor's degree in film from UCLA in 1990.[7]
Career
[edit]As a writer, Koepp worked on blockbusterHollywoodfilms such asJurassic ParkwithSteven Spielberg,Mission: ImpossiblewithBrian De PalmaandSpider-ManwithSam Raimi.He had acameo appearanceas the "Unlucky Bastard", a minor character devoured by aT. rexroamingSan DiegoinThe Lost World: Jurassic Park,which he co-wrote and was second unit director of. Although Koepp did not writeJurassic Park III,he did devise the film's basic storyline.[8][9]Koepp later declined an offer to write a script for the series' fourth film,Jurassic World,as he felt he had nothing left to contribute to the series.[10]
Koepp was reportedly paid $4,000,000 for hisPanic Roomscreenplay. He wrote the screenplay forIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullforSpielbergandGeorge Lucasand co-wrote and directed 2008'sGhost TownstarringRicky GervaisandGreg Kinnear.
Koepp's work as a director has not had quite the same box office success. His films includeSecret Window,Stir of Echoes,andThe Trigger Effect.
Koepp has also worked in television, creating the 2002 seriesHackstarringDavid Morse.
In 2012, Koepp directedPremium Rush,which he co-wrote with John Kamps.[11]In an August 2011 lawsuit,Joe Quirk,the author of the 1998 novelThe Ultimate Rush,accused Koepp and the makers ofPremium Rushof copyright infringement.[12]On April 2, 2013, U.S. District JudgeRichard Seeborgdismissed this case, finding that the two works were not substantially similar.[13]
On February 17, 2013, Koepp received the WGA East's Ian McClellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement.[14]
On July 10, 2013,Lionsgatewas reported to have acquired the comedic crime novelThe Great Mortdecai Moustache Mystery,written byKyril Bonfiglioli.[15]Koepp directed the film, titledMortdecai,from a script by Eric Aronson;[16]Johnny Deppplayed the lead role of Charlie Mortdecai,[17]and the film also featuredGwyneth Paltrow,Ewan McGregor,andPaul Bettany.[18]Koepp adapted theMarcus SakeynovelBrilliance,which will starWill SmithandNoomi Rapace.[19]
On March 15, 2016,The Walt Disney Companyannounceda fifth installmentof theIndiana Jonessaga, with Koepp as its screenwriter andSpielbergdirecting again.[20][21]By June 2018, Koepp ultimately backed out of the project due to his commitment toYou Should Have Left,a horror drama film Koepp wrote and directed.[22]Based on the novel of the same name byDaniel Kehlmann,You Should Have Leftwas released in 2020, and starsKevin BaconandAmanda Seyfried.[23][24]The film was eventually released on June 30, 2023 but directed byJames Mangoldand written byJezandJohn-Henry Butterworth.
On September 3, 2019, Koepp made his novel debut with the publication ofCold Storage,a science-fiction thriller.[25]Afilm adaptationwas announced in May 2022 fromStudiocanal,with Koepp writing the screenplay andJonny Campbelldirecting; the cast consists ofLiam Neeson,Joe Keery,Georgina Campbell,andSosie Bacon.[26][27]
On December 10, 2020,Amasia EntertainmentandUniversal Picturesannounced Koepp had been tapped to write the script for a reboot of theGreen Hornetfranchise titledThe Green Hornet and Kato.[28]On February 25, 2021, it was announced Koepp would write and co-produce the thrillerKimi,directed bySteven Soderberghand starringZoë Kravitz.[29]The film was released onMax(then HBO Max) on February 10, 2022.[30]
Koepp's second novelAurorawas published on June 7, 2022 and a film adaptation of the book is in development forNetflix,with Koepp writing the script andKathryn Bigelowdirecting.[31]
In December 2023, it was announced that Koepp had written the screenplay for the psychological thriller filmPresence,which was directed by Soderbergh and premiered at the2024 Sundance Film Festival.[32]On January 22, 2024, it was announced that Koepp would return to theJurassic Parkfranchise by writingJurassic World Rebirth,withGareth Edwardsdirecting and Spielberg serving as executive producer.[33][34]On April 17, 2024, it was confirmed that Koepp and Spielberg would work again on an original film aboutUFOs.[35]
Personal life
[edit]Koepp is married to Melissa Thomas, a writer, with whom he has two children.[36][37]He was previously married to artist Rosario Varela, with whom he has two children.[4][38]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1988 | Apartment Zero | No | Yes | Yes | co-wrote withMartin Donovan |
1990 | Bad Influence | No | Yes | No | |
Why Me? | No | Yes | No |
| |
I Come in Peace | No | Yes | No |
| |
1991 | Toy Soldiers | No | Yes | No | co-wrote withDaniel Petrie Jr. |
1992 | Death Becomes Her | No | Yes | No | co-wrote withMartin Donovan |
1993 | Jurassic Park | No | Yes | No | co-wrote withMichael Crichton |
Carlito's Way | No | Yes | No | ||
1994 | The Paper | No | Yes | Co-producer | co-wrote withStephen Koepp |
The Shadow | No | Yes | No | ||
Suspicious | Yes | Yes | No | Short film | |
1996 | Mission: Impossible | No | Yes | No | co-wrote withRobert TowneandSteven Zaillian |
The Trigger Effect | Yes | Yes | No | ||
1997 | The Lost World: Jurassic Park | No | Yes | No | Also second unit director and cameo |
1998 | Snake Eyes | No | Yes | No | co-wrote withBrian De Palma |
1999 | Stir of Echoes | Yes | Yes | No | |
2002 | Panic Room | No | Yes | Yes | |
Spider-Man | No | Yes | No | ||
2004 | Secret Window | Yes | Yes | No | |
2005 | War of the Worlds | No | Yes | No | co-wrote withJosh Friedman |
Zathura: A Space Adventure | No | Yes | No | co-wrote with John Kamps | |
2008 | Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull | No | Yes | No | co-wrote withGeorge LucasandJeff Nathanson |
Ghost Town | Yes | Yes | No | co-wrote with John Kamps | |
2009 | Angels & Demons | No | Yes | No | co-wrote withAkiva Goldsman |
2011 | The Little Engine That Could | No | Yes | No | co-wrote with John Kamps, Cliff Ruby and Elana Lesser |
2012 | Premium Rush | Yes | Yes | No | co-wrote with John Kamps |
2014 | Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit | No | Yes | No | co-wrote withAdam Cozad |
2015 | Mortdecai | Yes | No | No | |
2016 | Inferno | No | Yes | No | |
2017 | The Mummy | No | Yes | No | co-wrote withChristopher McQuarrieandDylan Kussman |
2020 | You Should Have Left | Yes | Yes | No | |
2022 | Kimi | No | Yes | Yes | |
2023 | Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny | No | Yes | No | co-wrote withJez Butterworth,John-Henry ButterworthandJames Mangold[39] |
2024 | Presence | No | Yes | Executive | |
2025 | Jurassic World: Rebirth | No | Yes | No | Filming |
TBA | Cold Storage | No | Yes | Yes | based on his novel[40] |
Black Bag | No | Yes | No | Filming |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Director | Writer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | Hack | No | Yes | Creator |
2003 | Suspense | Yes | No | TV movie |
Unproduced scripts
[edit]Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
1987 | FatCity Upside Down | |
1990 | Here and There | |
1997 | Blackwater | co-wrote withBrian De Palma |
1998 | Mr. Hughes | |
1999 | The Sea-Wolf | |
2000 | The Superconducting Supercollider of Sparkle Creek, Wisconsin | co-wrote with John Kamps |
2001 | A Trip Uptown | |
2002 | Amazing Spider-Man | |
2009 | Billionaire's Vinegar[41] | co-wrote with John Kamps |
Article II[41] | ||
Pirate Latitudes[42] | ||
2011 | Spy vs. Spy[43] | co-wrote with John Kamps |
The Thin Man[44] | ||
2012 | The Wind[45] | |
2014 | Brilliance[46] | |
2015 | The Themis Files[47] | |
2017 | Bride of Frankenstein[48] | |
2018 | Blackhawk[49] | |
2020 | Green Hornet and Kato[50] | |
2022 | Aurora[51][52] | based on his novel |
Bibliography
[edit]- — (2019).Cold Storage: A Novel.New York:Ecco.ISBN978-0-06-291643-3.LCCN2018057661.OCLC1078435646.
- — (2022).Aurora: A Novel.New York:Harper.ISBN978-0-06-291647-1.
References
[edit]- ^"122. David Koepp Interview, Part 2 (Screenwriter of 'Mission: Impossible')".Light the Fuse Podcast(Podcast). October 16, 2020. Event occurs at 34:45.RetrievedFebruary 17,2022.
- ^"Box Office Mojo – People Index".Boxofficemojo.com.RetrievedJuly 6,2019.
- ^[1][dead link]
- ^abcDutka, Elaine (March 29, 1994)."After navigating his way around scripts and moguls, David Koepp is on the A-list withPaper,Carlito'sandJurassic".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedMay 13,2023.
- ^McGilligan, Patrick, ed. (2009). "David Koepp Sincerity".Backstory 5: Interviews with Screenwriters of the 1990s.Berkeley, California:University of California Press.pp. 74–76.ISBN9780520945470.RetrievedMay 13,2023.p. 74:
[Koepp:] "I spent my first year of college at the University of Minnesota. [...] I transferred to Madison, still wanting to become an actor. I spent two years in Madison [...]."
- ^Owen, David (March 21, 1994)."David Koepp Is a Very Nice Screenwriter, Really".The New Yorker.RetrievedMay 13,2023.
Koepp said, "[...] I wanted to be an actor, and I went to college in Madison for a couple of years, to do acting, [...] then I decided I wanted to write movies, so I transferred to the film school at U.C.L.A.."
- ^Hueso, Noela (February 3, 2022)."Alumnus David Koepp writes big stories for the big (and small) screen".UCLA Newsroom.RetrievedMay 13,2023.
- ^"Jurassic Park 3 Director Talks Script Problems of the Upcoming Sequel".Screenwritersutopia.com.July 11, 2001.RetrievedJanuary 28,2015.
- ^"Jumanji's Joe Johnston Joins Jurassic".About.com.Archived from the original on March 5, 2006.
{{cite web}}
:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^Douglas, Edward (August 22, 2012)."Exclusive: David Koepp on Jack Ryan, Snow White & Jurassic Park".Comingsoon.net.RetrievedJanuary 28,2015.
- ^Siegel, Tatiana (November 11, 2009)."Koepp to helm 'Premium Rush'".Variety.Reed Business Information.RetrievedAugust 8,2010.
- ^Stevens, Elizabeth Lesly,"A Big Hollywood Movie Is Coming, and a Novelist Cries Foul",The New York Times,August 20, 2011
- ^Gardner, Eriq,"Sony Pictures Wins 'Premium Rush' Theft Lawsuit","The Hollywood Reporter", April 3, 2013
- ^McNary, Dave,"WGA East Honors Koepp","Variety", January 29, 2013
- ^"Johnny Depp to Star in 'Mortdecai' for Lionsgate, Director David Koepp".thewrap.com.July 10, 2013.RetrievedJuly 29,2013.
- ^"David Koepp is set to direct from Eric Aronson's script".deadline.com.July 10, 2013.RetrievedJuly 29,2013.
- ^"Johnny Depp in Talks to Star in 'Mortdecai'".hollywoodreporter.com.July 10, 2013.RetrievedJuly 29,2013.
- ^"Gwyneth Paltrow and Ewan McGregor join Johnny Depp on Mortdecai".guardian.co.uk.July 25, 2013.RetrievedJuly 29,2013.
- ^White, James (May 13, 2014)."Noomi Rapace Finds Brilliance".Empire.Archived fromthe originalon May 13, 2014.RetrievedJune 7,2022.
- ^Agar, Chris (March 18, 2016)."Indiana Jones 5 Recruits Jurassic Park Writer David Koepp".ScreenRant.com.RetrievedNovember 2,2016.
- ^Shepherd, Jack (March 20, 2016)."Indiana Jones 5: Crystal Skull writer David Koepp signs on to write sequel".The Independent.RetrievedNovember 2,2016.
- ^Galuppo, Mia; Kit, Borys (June 28, 2018)."Indiana Jones 5Delayed as New Writer Is Brought On ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJuly 13,2018.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 26, 2018)."Kevin Bacon, David Koepp Making 'You Should Have Left' For Blumhouse".Deadline Hollywood.Archived fromthe originalon March 26, 2018.RetrievedDecember 14,2018.
- ^Kit, Borys (June 7, 2018)."Amanda Seyfried Joins Kevin Bacon in Blumhouse Thriller 'You Should Have Left'".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedDecember 14,2018.
- ^Koepp, David."Cold Storage".harpercollins.com.HarperCollins Publishers.RetrievedSeptember 13,2019.
- ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 11, 2022)."Hot Cannes Package: Liam Neeson, Joe Keery Star In Jonny Campbell-Helmed Studiocanal Sci-Fi Virus Tale 'Cold Storage'; David Koepp Adapted His Novel".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMarch 30,2023.
- ^Wiseman, Andreas (March 30, 2023)."'Smile' Star Sosie Bacon Joins Liam Neeson, Joe Keery & Georgina Campbell In Studiocanal Thriller 'Cold Storage'; Filming Underway With Lesley Manville In Final Talks ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMarch 30,2023.
- ^Kroll, Justin (December 10, 2020)."David Koepp To Pen 'Green Hornet And Kato' Pic For Universal".Deadline.RetrievedSeptember 17,2023.
- ^Kroll, Justin (February 25, 2021)."Steven Soderbergh To Direct New Line's 'KIMI' For HBO Max With Zoë Kravitz Set To Star; David Koepp Penned The Script".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMay 1,2024.
- ^Lang, Brent (December 16, 2021)."Steven Soderbergh Thriller 'Kimi', Starring Zoë Kravitz, Reveals HBO Max Release Date".Variety.RetrievedMay 1,2024.
- ^Kroll, Justin (March 31, 2022)."Kathryn Bigelow To Direct Adaptation Of David Koepp Novel 'Aurora' For Netflix".Deadline.RetrievedApril 1,2022.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 12, 2023)."Sundance Unveils Packed 2024 Lineup That Includes A.I., Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, Satan, Devo & Steven Yeun".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMay 1,2024.
- ^Kit, Borys (January 22, 2024)."New 'Jurassic World' Movie in the Works with David Koepp Writing (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on January 22, 2024.RetrievedApril 17,2024.
- ^Kroll, Justin (February 20, 2024)."'Jurassic World': Gareth Edwards Tapped To Direct New Movie For Universal And Amblin ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedApril 30,2024.
- ^Siegel, Tatiana (April 17, 2024)."Ageless Auteurs: Scorsese Eyes Frank Sinatra Biopic With Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, Spielberg Tackling UFO Movie and More".Variety.RetrievedApril 17,2024.
- ^Storms, Sarah."A Sophisticated New York City Family Home".Lonny.RetrievedMay 13,2023.
- ^Bernstein, Fred A. (June 30, 2019)."Fawn Galli Punches Up a Screenwriter's London Home with a Bit of Movie Magic".1stdibs.RetrievedMay 13,2023.
- ^David, Mark (November 27, 2013)."David Koepp Lists Manhattan Townhouse".Dirt.RetrievedMay 13,2023.
- ^"Indiana Jones 5".Writers Guild of America West.February 10, 2023.RetrievedMarch 19,2023.
- ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 11, 2022)."Hot Cannes Package: Liam Neeson, Joe Keery Star In Jonny Campbell-Helmed Studiocanal Sci-Fi Virus Tale 'Cold Storage;' David Koepp Adapted His Novel".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedApril 19,2023.
- ^abKoepp to pore over ‘Vinegar’
- ^Steven Spielberg takes on ‘Pirate Latitudes’
- ^Ron Howard, David Koepp Team Up For 'Spy Vs. Spy'
- ^David Koepp Takes On 'The Thin Man' For Johnny Depp And Rob Marshall
- ^Warner Bros. Prepping Top Secret Sci-Fi Project ‘The Wind’ (Exclusive)
- ^Legendary Sets Julius Onah To Helm ‘Brilliance’
- ^David Koepp Set To Script Sci-Fi ‘Themis Files’ For Sony
- ^Bill Condon In Talks To Helm ‘Bride of Frankenstein’ At Universal Pictures
- ^Steven Spielberg Set To Produce His First DC Film 'Blackhawk' With Eye On Directing
- ^David Koepp To Pen ‘Green Hornet And Kato’ Pic For Universal
- ^Kathryn Bigelow To Direct Adaptation Of David Koepp Novel ‘Aurora’ For Netflix
- ^Idris Elba & Rebecca Ferguson Circling Kathryn Bigelow Film At Netflix
External links
[edit]- 1963 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American male writers
- 20th-century American screenwriters
- 21st-century American male writers
- 21st-century American novelists
- 21st-century American screenwriters
- American male novelists
- American male screenwriters
- American male television writers
- American television writers
- Film directors from Wisconsin
- Film producers from Wisconsin
- American horror film directors
- Hugo Award-winning writers
- Novelists from Wisconsin
- People from Pewaukee, Wisconsin
- Screenwriters from Wisconsin
- UCLA Film School alumni