Drew Goddard

Not to be confused with Andy Goddard.

Drew Goddard
Goddard in 2012
Goddard in 2012
BornAndrew Brion Hogan Goddard
(1975-02-26) February 26, 1975 (age 49)
Houston, Texas, U.S.[1][2]
Occupation
  • Screenwriter
  • film director
  • producer
Years active2002–present

Andrew Brion Hogan Goddard (born February 26, 1975) is an American screenwriter, director, and producer most closely associated with the horror genre. He began his career writing episodes for the television shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Alias, and Lost. After moving into screenwriting in film, he wrote Cloverfield (2008), World War Z (2013), and The Martian (2015), the latter earning him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. In 2011, he made his directorial debut with The Cabin in the Woods.

In 2015, Goddard created the Netflix series Daredevil. Soon after, he directed several episodes of The Good Place and served as an executive producer for 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) and The Cloverfield Paradox (2018), the next installments in the Cloverfield franchise. In April 2024, it was announced he would write and direct a new film in The Matrix franchise.

Early life and education

Goddard was born in Houston, Texas and was raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico. He attended Los Alamos High School and University of Colorado Boulder.[citation needed]

Career

2000s

Goddard started his career as a staff writer for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, receiving a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation for the former.

In 2005, he joined J. J. Abrams' Bad Robot team, where he wrote for both Alias and Lost, winning—along with the Lost writing staff—the Writers Guild of America (WGA) Award for Best Dramatic Series.[3] In 2006, during its third season, Goddard became the co-executive producer of Lost.

By February 2007, Goddard wrote his first feature, Cloverfield, directed by Matt Reeves and produced by J. J. Abrams.[4] Cloverfield made $168 million on a $25 million budget. Empire named it the fifth best film of 2008, and the film then went on to win the year's Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film.

2010s

Goddard's directorial debut, The Cabin in the Woods, was co-written with Joss Whedon. The Cabin in the Woods was featured on Metacritic's best films of 2012 list, in addition to earning a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film went on to win the year's Saturn Award for Best Horror or Thriller Film, as well as garnering Goddard Saturn's "Filmmaker Showcase Award".

In 2012, Goddard—in addition to J. Michael Straczynski, Matthew Michael Carnahan and Lost showrunner Damon Lindelof—rewrote the third act of the screenplay ahead of reshoots for the film World War Z starring Brad Pitt and directed by Marc Forster. The film grossed $540 million on a $190 million budget. As a result, in June 2013, Paramount announced that it was moving ahead with a sequel, though it was eventually scrapped.

In December 2013, Marvel officially announced that Goddard would be the executive producer and showrunner for the Daredevil television series produced by Marvel Television and broadcast on Netflix in 2015.[5] Sony Pictures also announced that Goddard would write and direct a film based on the Sinister Six, though the project was eventually cancelled.[6][7] In May 2014, Goddard withdrew from showrunning duties on the Daredevil TV series.[8]

In February 2015, after the deal between Marvel and Sony to share the rights to Spider-Man was announced, it was reported that Goddard was in talks with Sony to helm the new Spider-Man reboot film, Spider-Man: Homecoming, although it was later announced that Jon Watts would be the director. Goddard also executive produced and co-wrote an episode of the miniseries The Defenders. The series featured a team-up of the Marvel Television superheroes, including Daredevil. It was released on Netflix in August 2017.

Goddard wrote the film adaptation of Andy Weir's debut novel The Martian, initially planning to direct it himself for 20th Century Fox. He later left the project when offered a chance to direct Sinister Six, a now-canceled comic book adaptation based on a team of supervillains.[9][10] The Martian was instead directed by Ridley Scott, and received wide critical acclaim. Goddard himself received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.[citation needed]

Goddard promoting Bad Times at the El Royale in 2018

In November 2016, Goddard began writing a spec script for the neo-noir thriller film Bad Times at the El Royale,[11] which he sold to 20th Century Fox in March 2017, revealing he would also produce and direct.[12][13] The film features an ensemble cast including Jeff Bridges,[14] Cynthia Erivo,[15] Dakota Johnson,[16] Jon Hamm,[17] Nick Offerman,[18] and Chris Hemsworth.[19]

Potential projects

A film based on the Sinister Six was announced to be in development in December 2013, as part of Sony's plans for their own The Amazing Spider-Man shared universe, with Goddard attached to write and potentially direct.[20] Goddard confirmed his intention to direct the film in April 2014.[21] The film was believed to have been canceled by November 2015 when Sony was focusing on its new Spider-Man reboot with Marvel Studios,[22] but producer Amy Pascal stated that the film was "alive" again in December 2018 following the success of Venom, and that she was waiting for Goddard to be ready to direct it before moving forward with the project, now to be set in the Sony's Spider-Man Universe.[23]

In May 2016, Goddard was reported to be writing the screenplay for a film adaptation of the novel Wraiths Of The Broken Land, with Ridley Scott set to direct.[24] By October 2017 he was also attached to write and produce Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, a film adaptation of the novel of the same name.[25] In June 2020 he was also announced to be attached to Project Hail Mary, based on the novel of the same name, with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller set to direct.[26] From 2019 to now, his company, Goddard Textiles struck an overall deal with Disney Television Studios via 20th Century Fox Television (now 20th Television) and ABC Signature.[27] In December 2022, FX ordered a pilot for The Trenches, a half-hour animated series created by Goddard.[28] In January 2023, it was revealed Goddard had joined a writers' room assembled by James Gunn to map out the overarching story of the DC Universe.[29] In April 2024, it was announced Goddard was set to write and direct a new installment in The Matrix franchise.[30]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Director Writer Producer
2008 Cloverfield No Yes No
2011 The Cabin in the Woods Yes Yes No
2013 World War Z No Yes No
2015 The Martian No Yes Executive
2018 Bad Times at the El Royale Yes Yes Yes
2026 Project Hail Mary No Yes No

Executive producer only

Television

Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
2002–2003 Buffy the Vampire Slayer No Yes No Episodes:
2003–2004 Angel No Yes No Also executive story editor;
Episodes:
2005–2006 Alias No Yes Yes Episodes:
2005–2008 Lost No Yes Yes Also supervising producer;
Episodes:
2015–2018 Daredevil No Yes Executive Creator;
Episodes:
2016–2020 The Good Place Yes No Executive Episodes:
  • 1.01 - "Everything is Fine"
  • 2.03 - "Dance Dance Resolution"
  • 4.01 - "A Girl from Arizona (Part 1)"
  • 4.02 - "A Girl from Arizona (Part 2)"
2017 The Defenders No Yes Executive Episode:
2024 High Potential[31] No Yes Executive Episode:
  • 1.01 – "Pilot"

Bibliography

  • Tales of the Vampires (Dark Horse Comics, collected in trade paperback, Tales of the Vampires, 144 pages, December 2004, ISBN 1569717494, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales, 288 pages, January 2011, ISBN 1595826440):
    • "The Problem With Vampires" (with artist Paul Lee, in Tales of the Vampires #1, Dark Horse Comics, December 2003)
    • "Antique" (with artist Ben Stenbeck, in Tales of the Vampires #3, Dark Horse Comics, February 2004)
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight #12–15: "Wolves at the Gate" (with pencils by Georges Jeanty and inks by Andy Owens, Dark Horse Comics, March–June 2008, tpb, Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 8, Volume 3: Wolves at the Gate, 136 pages, November 2008, ISBN 1595821651)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Person Details for Andrew Brion Hogan Goddard, "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997" — FamilySearch.org". FamilySearch.
  2. ^ Harms, John W.; Harms, Pearl Goddard (1990). "The Goddard book".
  3. ^ "Winners Announced for 2006 Writers Guild Awards". Writers Guild of America. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  4. ^ Kit, Borys; Siegel, Tatiana (July 6, 2007). "Paramount Rolls In The Cloverfield". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  5. ^ "Drew Goddard Joins Daredevil on Netflix". Marvel. December 6, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  6. ^ Dominic Patten (December 13, 2013). "Sony Sets Spider-Man Spinoffs 'Venom,' 'Sinister Six' With New "Franchise Brain Trust"". Deadline.
  7. ^ "Spider-Man Spinoff 'Sinister Six' Names Director". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  8. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (May 24, 2014). "Marvel's Netflix Drama 'Daredevil' Taps New Showrunner (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  9. ^ Tilly, Chris (June 17, 2015). "Matt Damon Explains Why The Martian is a Love Letter to Science". IGN. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  10. ^ Jeff Sneider (April 9, 2014). "Drew Goddard Exits 'The Martian'; Matt Damon Eyed to Star (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  11. ^ Fischer, Russ (October 13, 2018). "How Director Drew Goddard Brought Out Chris Hemsworth's Dark Side in 'Bad Times at the El Royale'". Variety. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  12. ^ Busch, Anita (March 8, 2017). "Fox Buys 'Bad Times At The El Royale' From Drew Goddard Who Will Also Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  13. ^ Kit, Borys (March 8, 2017). "'The Martian' Screenwriter Sells 'Bad Times at the El Royale' Spec Script to Fox". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  14. ^ Kit, Borys; Ford, Rebecca (August 23, 2017). "Chris Hemsworth, Jeff Bridges to Star in Drew Goddard's 'Bad Times at the El Royale' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  15. ^ Ford, Rebecca; Kit, Borys (August 29, 2017). "Tony Winner Cynthia Erivo Joins Drew Goddard's 'Bad Times at the El Royale' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  16. ^ Sneider, Jeff (January 8, 2021). "Dakota Johnson to Star Opposite Chris Hemsworth in Drew Goddard's Thriller "Bad Times at the El Royale" (Exclusive)". Tracking Board. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  17. ^ Couch, Aaron (October 11, 2018). "How 'Bad Times at the El Royale' Director Convinced Stars to Work for Less". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  18. ^ Whittle, CK (February 2, 2018). "Nick Offerman Joins The Cast Of Thriller Bad Times At The El Royale". Celebrity WotNot. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  19. ^ McNary, Dave (August 23, 2017). "Chris Hemsworth, Jeff Bridges in Talks to Star in Drew Goddard's 'Bad Times at the El Royale'". Variety. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  20. ^ Patten, Dominic (December 13, 2013). "Sony Sets Spider-Man Spinoffs 'Venom,' 'Sinister Six' With New "Franchise Brain Trust"". Deadline. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  21. ^ Kit, Borys; Ford, Rebecca (April 7, 2014). "Spider-Man Spinoff 'Sinister Six' Names Director". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  22. ^ Sneider, Jeff (November 10, 2015). "17 Movies Shaken by Sony Hack, From 'The Interview' to 'Spectre' to 'Steve Jobs'". TheWrap. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  23. ^ Robinson, Joanna (December 14, 2018). "Sony Finally Untangles Its Spider Web". Vanity Fair. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  24. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 10, 2016). "Ridley Scott, Drew Goddard, Fox & 'The Martian' Team Set 'Wraiths Of The Broken Land'". Deadline. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  25. ^ Hipes, Patrick (October 23, 2017). "Drew Goddard To Write & Produce Fox's 'Nevermoor' Movie". Deadline. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  26. ^ Kit, Borys (June 18, 2020). "Lord & Miller's 'Project Hail Mary' Enlisting 'The Martian' Scribe Drew Goddard (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  27. ^ Low, Elaine (March 21, 2019). "Drew Goddard Inks Exclusive Overall Deal With 20th Century Fox TV". Variety. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  28. ^ White, Peter (December 1, 2022). "Drew Goddard Lands Animated Pilot 'The Trenches' At FX". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  29. ^ Vary, Adam B. (January 31, 2023). "New DC Universe Unveils First 10 Projects: 'Superman: Legacy' in 2025, Batman & Robin Movie, Green Lantern Series, Wonder Woman Prequel and More". Variety. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  30. ^ Kit, Borys (April 3, 2024). "New 'Matrix' Movie in the Works with Drew Goddard Writing, Directing". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  31. ^ Cordero, Rosy; Andreeva, Nellie (May 16, 2023). "ABC Picks Up Kaitlin Olson-Led 'High Potential' Series From Drew Goddard". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
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