Federico Javier Álvarez Mattos (Spanish pronunciation:[ˈfeð̞e]; born February 9, 1978) is a Uruguayan filmmaker.[1] He is best known for directing the films Evil Dead (2013), Don't Breathe (2016), and Alien: Romulus (2024).
In 2009, Álvarez released his short film Ataque de Pánico! on YouTube. Before premiering online, the film screened on October 31, 2009, at the Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre film festival.[2] A few weeks later, Álvarez made a deal with Ghost House Pictures to direct a $30–$40 million sci-fi film.[3] His first project with Ghost House ended up being the direction and co-writing of the Evil Dead remake.[4] After the release of Evil Dead, Álvarez stated that he had "had the temptation to do big franchises", but instead directed and co-wrote the relatively low budget horror film Don't Breathe (2016), which received positive reviews.[5] Álvarez later revealed that during this period he was approached by Marvel Studios to direct an unspecified movie; however, he declined, feeling he would have little creative control over it.[6] In 2017, Álvarez teamed up with Good Universe to set up their own production company, Bad Hombre.[7]
Álvarez was attached to direct a live-action adaptation of the video game Dante's Inferno for Universal Pictures in September 2013, however no further updates have been provided since the announcement.[15] In May 2016, Álvarez was attached to direct an adaptation of Monsterpocalypse for Warner Bros.[16] In October 2016, Álvarez was brought on to direct an adaptation of Incognito for Sony Pictures, based on a script by Daniel Casey.[17] Álvarez was considered to replace Ben Affleck as director for The Batman.[18]
On April 13, 2017, Álvarez was confirmed to direct and co-write a spin-off to Labyrinth with Nicole Perlman and Jay Basu.[19] However, in April 2020, Álvarez announced that he had stepped down as director.[20]
