Chris Weitz
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christopher John Weitz (born 1969,[1] New York City, New York), is an Academy Award nominated producer, writer and director. He is best known for his work with his brother, Paul Weitz, on the comedy films American Pie and About a Boy as well as directing the film version of The Golden Compass.
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[edit] Personal
Weitz was born in New York, New York, the son of actress Susan Kohner and novelist/fashion designer John Weitz.
He graduated with a degree in English Literature from Trinity College, Cambridge.
[edit] Career
[edit] Early career
Weitz began his film career as a co-writer on the 1998 animated film Antz. He followed this with work on various sitcoms such as Off Centre and the 1998 revival of Fantasy Island. In 1999, he and Paul directed and produced American Pie, which became a major box office success. Chris would return as executive producer on the film's two theatrical sequels. In 2001 he directed his second film, the Chris Rock comedy Down To Earth. The following year the brothers co-wrote and directed About a Boy, which earned them an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
[edit] The Golden Compass
In 2003 Weitz was hired to direct New Line Cinema's adaptation of the first book in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series, The Golden Compass, after approaching the studio with an unsolicited 40-page treatment. He was subsequently invited by director Peter Jackson to visit the set of King Kong in order to gain insight into directing a big-budget film, and advice on how to deal with New Line. In 2005 Weitz announced his departure from the film, citing the enormous technical challenged involved, and the fear being denounced by both the book's fans and detractors.,[2] He was replaced by British director Anand Tucker. Ironically, Tucker left the project in 2006 over creative differences with New Line and Weitz returned to the director's chair, after receiving a letter from Pullman asking him to reconsider.
The film was released in 2007 and met with mixed reviews. Its U.S. grosses have been described as disappointing,[3] in relation to film's $180 million USD budget, although it has performed well internationally.".[4] When questioned about a possible sequel New Line studio co-head Michael Lynne has said that "The jury is still very much out on the movie..."[5]
[edit] Other Projects
Weitz has produced a number of films including In Good Company and American Dreamz, both of which were directed by his brother, Paul. His current projects include a live action adaptation Michael Moorcock's Elric saga, which he enjoyed as a child. Weitz's Depth of Field production company will create the films as a potential trilogy for Universal Pictures. In a May, 2007 interview with Empire magazine he announced that he had met with Moorcock, who trusted him with the films, and described his wish for Paul to direct the film.[6]
Weitz has also occasionally worked as an actor, playing the lead role in the 2000 comedy film Chuck & Buck and a bland suburbanite in Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
[edit] Notes
- ^ the most accurate source of Weitz's birth date is the 1969 given in the production notes on the DVD for "Chuck & Buck." A check of the database at ancestry.com will give greater detail.
- ^ Devin Gordon. "A Director Confronts Some Dark Material", Newsweek, 2007-11-27. Retrieved on 2007-11-28.
- ^ Dean Goodman. "'Golden Compass' loses its way at U.S. box office", Reuters, 2007-12-09. Retrieved on 2007-12-29.
- ^ Dave McNary. "Foreign box office hits record levels", Variety, 2008-01-01. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
- ^ Peter Sanders. "New Line and Director Settle 'Rings' Suit, Look to 'Hobbit'", Wall Street Journal, 2007-12-19.
- ^ Empire: Movie News - Exclusive: Weitz Brothers Making Elric
