Rob Letterman

Rob Letterman
Letterman at San Diego Comic-Con 2014
Born
Robert Thomas Letterman

(1970-10-31) October 31, 1970 (age 54)
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Southern California
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
Years active1999–present
Children2

Robert Thomas Letterman (born October 31, 1970) is an American film director and screenwriter. He made his directorial debut as co-director of the animated comedy film Shark Tale (2004), for which he received a nomination for the Annie Award for Writing in a Feature Production. He then co-directed the animated science fiction comedy film Monsters vs. Aliens (2009).[1][2]

Letterman has since transitioned into live-action filmmaking, directing the fantasy comedy film Gulliver's Travels (2010), the horror comedy film Goosebumps (2015), and the fantasy mystery film Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019).

Early life

Letterman was born in Hawaii and attended Mid-Pacific Institute and USC.[3]

Career

Prior to joining DreamWorks Animation, Letterman directed the short film Los Gringos, which was accepted at 2000's Sundance Film Festival.[4]

In 2002, Vicky Jenson and Eric "Bibo" Bergeron invited him as a screenwriter (then as co-director) in the making of Shark Tale. In 2010, Letterman directed the live-action film Gulliver's Travels, starring Jack Black in the lead role.[5] He also directed the live-action/CGI film Pokémon Detective Pikachu, based on the Pokémon videogame franchise. The film was released on May 10, 2019, and grossed $433 million at the box office as well as attained the highest percentage of positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes for a film adaptation of a video game.[6]

In 2020, Netflix announced Letterman as director for an upcoming live-action animated film adaptation of Ubisoft's Beyond Good & Evil video game.[7]

Personal life

Letterman is in a relationship with Beth Pontrelli and has two children, Jack and Eva.[8][9]

Filmography

Short film

Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes
1996 Shrek - I Feel Good No Yes No Animation test
1999 Los Gringos Yes No Yes
2005 Club Oscar Yes No No

Feature film

Year Title Director Writer Notes
2004 Shark Tale Yes Yes Co-directed with Vicky Jenson and Bibo Bergeron
2009 Monsters vs. Aliens Yes Yes Co-directed with Conrad Vernon
2010 Gulliver's Travels Yes No
2015 Goosebumps Yes No
2019 Detective Pikachu Yes Yes

Television

Year Title Director Writer Executive
Producer 		Creator Notes
2023–present Goosebumps Yes Yes Yes Yes Directed episode "Say Cheese and Die!"

Other credits

Year Title Role
1999 Lake Placid Color and Lighting Supervisor: Digital Domain
2001 Shrek Propellerhead: Los Angeles pre-production
2009 Monsters vs. Aliens Also voiced Secret Service Man #1
2017 Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie Executive producer

References

  1. ^ Kit, Borys (October 25, 2013). "Rob Letterman to Direct 'Captain Underpants' for DWA (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  2. ^ Baisley, Sarah (December 6, 2004). "Annie Noms go to Incredibles, Shrek 2, Shark Tale". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  3. ^ Harada, Wayne (April 25, 2010). "'Stretch Armstrong' up next for Isle-born director". Archived from the original on April 17, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  4. ^ "Los Gringos". Sundance Institute. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  5. ^ Romney, Jonathon (December 26, 2010). "Gulliver's Travels, Rob Letterman, 90 mins, (PG)". The Independent - Reviews. London: The Independent. Archived from the original on December 28, 2010. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  6. ^ Nolan, L.D. (May 3, 2019). "Detective Pikachu's Electrifying Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed". CBR. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  7. ^ "'Detective Pikachu' Director and Netflix Tackling 'Beyond Good & Evil' Adaptation (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. July 31, 2020. Archived from the original on March 30, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  8. ^ "Michael Angelo Pontrelli Obituary (1929 - 2016) Los Angeles Times". Legacy.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  9. ^ "Robert Letterman and Beth Pontrelli | 2700 Creston Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068". Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.


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