Canadian filmmaker (born 1968)
Shawn Levy
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![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Shawn_Levy_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg/220px-Shawn_Levy_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg) Levy in 2024
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Born
| (
1968-07-23
)
July 23, 1968
(age 55)
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Citizenship
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Education
| Yale University
(
BA
)
University of Southern California
(
MFA
)
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Occupations
| - Film director
- film producer
- screenwriter
- actor
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Years active
| 1986?present
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Spouse
| Serena Levy
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Children
| 4
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Shawn Adam Levy
(born July 23, 1968)
[2]
is a Canadian film director, film producer, screenwriter, actor, and founder of
21 Laps Entertainment
. He has worked across genres and is perhaps best known as the director of the
Night at the Museum
film franchise and primary producer of the
Netflix
series
Stranger Things
.
Following early work as a television director, Levy gained recognition in the 2000s for directing comedy films like
Big Fat Liar
and
Just Married
before directing
Cheaper by the Dozen
,
The Pink Panther
, and
Night at the Museum
film franchises. In the early 2010s, he directed films including
Date Night
and
Real Steel
, developed several comedy
television pilots
, and executive produced the
ABC
sitcom
Last Man Standing
. Levy was a producer on the 2016 sci-fi film
Arrival
, which earned him an
Academy Award
nomination for
Best Picture
.
Since 2016, Levy has been an executive producer on the
Netflix original series
Stranger Things.
He has directed the third and fourth episodes of each of the show's four seasons.
[3]
He also directed the Netflix limited series
All the Light We Cannot See
. Most recently, he has collaborated with
Ryan Reynolds
by directing
Free Guy
(2021),
The Adam Project
(2022), and the upcoming
Deadpool & Wolverine
(2024).
Early life
[
edit
]
Levy was born to a
Jewish
family
[4]
with two siblings, Jodi and Debby, in
Montreal
,
Quebec
.
[5]
As a teenager, he attended
St. George's High School
in Montreal and trained at the
Stagedoor Manor
Performing Arts Training Center in New York's
Catskills
.
[6]
Pursuing a career in acting, he attended the performing arts program at
Yale University
, graduating in 1989; during his time there, he became interested in directing and moved to Los Angeles to study film directing.
[6]
He received an MFA degree from the
USC School of Cinematic Arts
in 1994.
[7]
Career
[
edit
]
1985?1994: Early career and education
[
edit
]
Levy began his professional career while pursuing his undergraduate and graduate degrees in the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s. While studying performing arts, he made his acting debut in
Zombie Nightmare
(1987), a low-budget horror film in which he portrayed the character Jim Bratten, the leader of a group of teenagers. The film is best known for being featured in an episode of
Mystery Science Theater 3000
. He also appeared in the 1988 film
Liberace: Behind the Music
.
He pursued his MFA in production, during which time he continued to act with a guest spot on
21 Jump Street
and a recurring role on
Beverly Hills, 90210
. Since this time, he has acted in primary small and cameo roles as well, like on
30 Rock
as TV producer Scottie Shofar.
1995?2014: Directorial career and 20th Century Fox
[
edit
]
Through the end of the 1990s, Levy worked primarily as a television director of teen dramas, like
Nickelodeon
's
The Secret World of Alex Mack
and
Animorphs
. He was the primary director and executive producer (season 3) of the
Disney Channel
coming-of-age show
The Famous Jett Jackson
(1998?2002) and
its companion film
(2001).
Levy in Moscow in 2011.
He made his feature film directorial debut in 1997 with the family films
Address Unknown
and
Just in Time
. This was followed by the 2002 teen comedy
Big Fat Liar
, his first theatrical release, and the 2003
rom com
Just Married
, which made more than $100 million in the box office. For the remainder of the decade, Levy worked successfully on big-budget
family films
, namely directing
Cheaper by the Dozen
(2003),
The Pink Panther
(2006), and
Night at the Museum
franchise
(2006?2014)?and produced all of their sequel films. The first
Night at the Museum
film was Levy's most commercially successful project and one of the
highest-grossing films of 2006
. During this time he also produced the 2008 films
What Happens in Vegas
and
The Rocker
and executive produced
The WB
dramedy
Pepper Dennis
(2006).
Levy directed and produced the 2010 comedy
Date Night
starring
Steve Carell
and
Tina Fey
. The same year, he began directing the
sci-fi
drama
Real Steel
(2011), starring
Hugh Jackman
. Executive produced by
Steven Spielberg
, the film received mixed critical reviews and was nominated for the
Academy Award for Best Visual Effects
.
In the mid-2000s, Levy and his company 21 Laps signed a production deal with
20th Century Fox
; it was renewed in 2010.
[8]
Following this deal, Levy created a new television company with
Marty Adelstein
at 20th Century Fox TV to develop comedy series.
[9]
[10]
Levy and 21 Laps were with the company until 2020.
[11]
[12]
Since 2011, he has been the executive producer of the
Tim Allen
sitcom
Last Man Standing
.
[13]
He also executive produced the short-lived
ABC
sitcoms
Cristela
(2014?2015) and
Imaginary Mary
(2017). Film projects with FOX include the 2012 Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill comedy
The Watch
(directed by
Akiva Schaffer
), Levy's comedy
The Internship
(2013),
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
(2014),
Why Him?
(2016), and
The Darkest Minds
(2018). He produced similar films for
Warner Bros.
; Levy was initially announced as the director of the film version of
Minecraft
but has since left the project.
[14]
[15]
Outside of 20th Century Fox, Levy worked to expand 21 Laps' range outside of primarily family-friendly comedies;
[16]
this included producing the A24 drama
The Spectacular Now
(2013), the ensemble dramedy
This Is Where I Leave You
(2014), and the Academy Award-winning sci-fi film
Arrival
(2016). For his role in
Arrival
, Levy was nominated for an
Academy Award for Best Picture
.
2015?present:
Stranger Things
and Netflix
[
edit
]
Levy promoting
Stranger Things
at the 2017
San Diego Comic-Con
He was announced to be directing the film adaptation of the
Uncharted
video game series, following
David O. Russell
and
Neil Burger
.
[17]
Joe Carnahan
worked with Levy to produce the script for the film,
[18]
but Levy left the project on December 19, 2018.
[19]
Levy was attached to produce a film based on the children's series
Sesame Street
, which will be the show's third motion picture following
Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird
and
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland
, and its first in over two decades.
[20]
[21]
In December 2017,
Netflix
announced a four-year contract with Levy. Due to the successful seasons of
Stranger Things
, he will create TV projects exclusively for the streaming entertainment company.
[22]
In 2020, 21 Laps extended its deal with Netflix and signed a first look deal.
[11]
In 2021, Levy produced the
film adaptation
of the slasher novel
There's Someone Inside Your House
by
Stephanie Perkins
under his
21 Laps Entertainment
label, alongside
James Wan
's
Atomic Monster
studio for Netflix.
[23]
[24]
[25]
Alongside
Eric Heisserer
, he also executive produced the 2021
Netflix
series
Shadow and Bone
, an adaptation of the fantasy book series
The Grisha Trilogy
and the
Six of Crows Duology
starring
Jessie Mei Li
, under Netflix's deal with 21 Laps.
[26]
Levy directed
The Adam Project
for
Netflix
starring
Ryan Reynolds
in the lead role.
[27]
In February 2022, it was announced that Levy would direct
Backwards
for Netflix.
[28]
In March 2022, it was announced that Levy would direct
Deadpool & Wolverine
for
Marvel Studios
.
[29]
In November 2022, Levy entered talks to direct a
Star Wars
movie for
Lucasfilm
following the conclusion of his work on
Deadpool & Wolverine
and the
fifth and final season
of
Stranger Things
.
[30]
In February 2023, it was announced Levy would produce the comedy
Boy Band
for
Paramount Pictures
alongside Reynolds, who would also co-write and star in the project.
[31]
Levy was confirmed as the film's director in February 2024.
[32]
In December 2023, it was announced Levy would direct and produce an untitled heist comedy film for Netflix, with Reynolds set to star and co-produce.
[33]
In August 2023, Levy was announced as the inaugural recipient of the Norman Jewison Award for career achievement at the
TIFF Tribute Awards
.
[34]
Personal life
[
edit
]
Levy and his wife Serena Levy have four daughters together.
[6]
He became a
U.S. citizen
in 2008.
[35]
Following many years living in
Los Angeles
, the Levy family moved to
Manhattan
in the early 2020s.
[6]
[36]
Since 2009, he has also maintained a family home in the
Hudson Valley
community of
New Paltz, New York
.
[36]
Filmography
[
edit
]
Film
[
edit
]
Producer only
Acting credits
Television
[
edit
]
Executive producer only
Acting roles
Awards and nominations
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"Shawn Adam Levy ? The Guild / Members"
.
Directors Guild of America
. Retrieved
November 12,
2017
.
- ^
"Shawn Levy ? Biography and Filmography - 1968"
.
hollywood.com
. February 20, 2015
. Retrieved
July 23,
2017
.
- ^
"
'Stranger Things' Season 3 Starts Filming Monday"
.
Collider
. April 21, 2018.
- ^
Nate Bloom (February 13, 2017).
"The tribe goes to the Oscars"
.
J. The Jewish News of Northern California
.
- ^
Durocher, Sophie (January 25, 2017).
"Villeneuve est enfin "arrive"
"
.
Le Journal de Montreal
(in French)
. Retrieved
February 17,
2017
.
Un des producteurs de L'Arrivee, Shawn Levy, est un ≪ptit gars de Montreal≫
- ^
a
b
c
d
Siegel, Tatiana (August 5, 2021).
"The Low-Key Hustle of 'Free Guy' Filmmaker Shawn Levy: "I'm Willing to Outwork Anybody"
"
.
The Hollywood Reporter
. Retrieved
July 6,
2022
.
- ^
"Shawn Levy Gets "Real"
"
.
USC Cinematic Arts
. Retrieved
August 6,
2018
.
- ^
Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 5, 2010).
"20th Century Fox Re-Ups Comedy Helmer"
.
Deadline
. Retrieved
July 6,
2022
.
- ^
Andreeva, Nellie (June 18, 2010).
"Shawn Levy And Marty Adelstein Form TV Company, Sign With 20th Century Fox TV And Tap Becky Clements As Prez"
.
Deadline
. Retrieved
July 6,
2022
.
- ^
Andreeva, Nellie (September 29, 2010).
"Marty Adlestein And Shawn Levy Set Up Projects At Fox & CBS"
.
Deadline
. Retrieved
July 6,
2022
.
- ^
a
b
Kroll, Justin (November 19, 2020).
"Shawn Levy And His 21 Laps Sign Overall Netflix Film Deal And Expand TV Pact In Nine-Figure Tie-Up"
.
Deadline
. Retrieved
July 6,
2022
.
- ^
Ford, Rebecca (July 21, 2016).
"Executive Suite: Inside Shawn Levy's 21 Laps Entertainment Office"
.
The Hollywood Reporter
. Retrieved
July 6,
2022
.
- ^
Berkshire, Geoff (July 22, 2016).
"
'Stranger Things': Shawn Levy on Directing Winona Ryder, Netflix's Viral Model"
.
Variety
.
- ^
Kroll, Justin (October 16, 2014).
"Warner Bros. Taps Shawn Levy for 'Minecraft' Movie"
.
Variety
. Retrieved
October 16,
2014
.
- ^
Kroll, Justin (December 19, 2014).
"Shawn Levy Leaves Warner Bros.' 'Minecraft' Film"
.
Variety
. Retrieved
July 18,
2016
.
- ^
Barnes, Brooks (November 26, 2016).
"A Filmmaker's Belief in Himself Pays Off"
.
The New York Times
.
ISSN
0362-4331
. Retrieved
July 6,
2022
.
- ^
Fleming, Mike (October 25, 2016).
"Shawn Levy To Direct Uncharted Movie"
.
Deadline Hollywood
. Retrieved
October 25,
2016
.
- ^
Fleming, Mike (October 25, 2016).
"Shawn Levy To Direct 'Uncharted'; PlayStation Vidgame Movie On Fast Track"
.
Deadline Hollywood
. Retrieved
November 29,
2016
.
- ^
Wade, Jessie (December 19, 2018).
"Director Shawn Levy Steps Away from Tom Holland Uncharted Movie"
.
IGN
. Retrieved
December 19,
2018
.
- ^
Evans, Alan (November 10, 2016).
"Sesame Street movie is in the works"
.
The Guardian
.
- ^
Kroll, Justin (September 28, 2018).
"
'Sesame Street' Movie Taps 'Portlandia' Co-Creator Jonathan Krisel as Director (EXCLUSIVE)"
.
Variety
. Retrieved
June 12,
2020
.
- ^
Cynthia, Littleton (December 6, 2017).
"Netflix Sets Massive Overall Deal With 'Stranger Things' Producer Shawn Levy"
.
Variety
.
- ^
Squires, John (August 23, 2021).
"
'Creep' Director Patrick Brice's New Movie 'There's Someone Inside Your House' Crashes Netflix in October"
.
BloodyDisgusting
. Retrieved
August 23,
2021
.
- ^
Miska, Brad (March 18, 2019).
"Netflix and James Wan Joining Forces for Slasher 'There's Someone Inside Your House'!"
.
Bloody Disgusting
. Retrieved
August 16,
2019
.
- ^
Kit, Borys (August 14, 2019).
"Shawn Levy-James Wan's Horror 'There's Someone Inside Your House' Sets Cast (Exclusive)"
.
The Hollywood Reporter
. Retrieved
August 16,
2019
.
- ^
Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (January 10, 2019).
"Netflix Orders
Shadow And Bone
Series Based On Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse Novels From Eric Heisserer & Shawn Levy"
.
Deadline Hollywood
. Retrieved
January 15,
2019
.
- ^
D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 23, 2020).
"Ryan Reynolds-Shawn Levy Time Travel Project Shifts From Paramount To Netflix"
.
Deadline
. Retrieved
November 23,
2020
.
- ^
Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 9, 2022).
"Netflix Lands De-Aging Father-Daughter Tale 'Backwards' For Shawn Levy To Direct; 21 Laps & Safehouse Producing"
.
Deadline Hollywood
.
- ^
Parker, Ryan (March 11, 2022).
"
'Deadpool 3': Shawn Levy to Direct Ryan Reynolds in Marvel Movie (Exclusive)"
.
The Hollywood Reporter
.
Archived
from the original on March 11, 2022
. Retrieved
March 11,
2022
.
- ^
Kroll, Mike (November 8, 2022).
"Shawn Levy In Talks To Direct A 'Star Wars' Film After 'Deadpool 3' & 'Stranger Things' Final Eps"
.
Deadline
. Retrieved
November 8,
2022
.
- ^
Kit, Borys (February 23, 2023).
"Ryan Reynolds to Star In, Produce Comedy 'Boy Band' for Paramount (Exclusive)"
.
The Hollywood Reporter
. Retrieved
February 24,
2024
.
- ^
Lang, Brent (February 8, 2024).
"Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort Productions and Paramount Pictures Extend First-Look Deal"
.
Variety
. Retrieved
February 24,
2024
.
- ^
Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 14, 2023).
"
'Deadpool 3's Shawn Levy Boards Ryan Reynolds Heist Comedy As Director & Producer At Netflix"
.
Deadline Hollywood
. Retrieved
March 20,
2024
.
- ^
Jeremy Kay,
"Shawn Levy to receive inaugural TIFF Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award"
.
Screen Daily
, August 16, 2023.
- ^
Kilday, Gregg (September 3, 2014).
"Toronto: Shawn Levy on His Jason Bateman-Tina Fey Dramedy, Entering R-Rated Territory and Robin Williams' Death"
.
The Hollywood Reporter
. Retrieved
August 3,
2023
.
- ^
a
b
Cannell, Michael (August 1, 2012).
"Film Director Shawn Levy's House in New York"
.
Architectural Digest
. Retrieved
July 6,
2022
.
- ^
"Stranger Things Director Reveal Series Superstition That Continues in Season 4"
.
Horror
. Retrieved
January 26,
2022
.
- ^
"Stranger Things season 4 confirmed for summer 2022 as new episode titles revealed"
.
Radio Times
. Retrieved
January 26,
2022
.
External links
[
edit
]
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International
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National
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Artists
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Other
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