Fede Álvarez Explained

Fede Álvarez
Birth Name:Federico Álvarez
Birth Date:9 February 1978
Birth Place:Montevideo, Uruguay
Occupation:Director, writer, producer
Years Active:2001–present

Federico Álvarez (pronounced as /es/; born February 9, 1978) is a Uruguayan director, writer, and producer. He is best known for directing the films Evil Dead (2013), Don't Breathe (2016), and (2024).

Life and career

Álvarez was born in Montevideo, Uruguay. 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.[1] A few weeks later, Álvarez made a deal with Ghost House Pictures to direct a $30–$40 million sci-fi film.[2] His first project with Ghost House ended up being the direction and co-writing of the Evil Dead remake.[3] 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.[4] Álvarez later revealed that during this period he was approached by Marvel Studios to direct an unspecified movie but he declined feeling he would have little creative control over it.[5] In 2017, Álvarez teamed up with Good Universe to set up their own production company Bad Hombre.[6]

Álvarez directed The Girl in the Spider's Web, a reboot of the English-language The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, based on the novel of the same name. The film featured an entirely new cast compared to the 2011 film, and was released on November 9, 2018.[7] In April 2019, Álvarez, alongside Doug Liman, directed reshoots for the 2021 film Chaos Walking, which added an additional $15 million to the film's budget.[8]

In 2021, Álvarez directed all nine episodes of Calls for Apple TV+, a primarily audio-based series with animated visual components. He also co-wrote and co-produced Don't Breathe 2, which was released on August 13, 2021, directed by Rodo Sayagues.[9] [10] [11] In 2024, he wrote and directed . [12]

Unrealized projects

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.[13] In May 2016, Álvarez was attached to direct an adaptation of Monsterpocalypse for Warner Bros.[14] In October 2016, Álvarez was brought on to direct an adaptation of Incognito for Sony Pictures, based on a script by Daniel Casey.[15] Álvarez was considered to replace Ben Affleck as director for The Batman.[16]

On April 13, 2017, Álvarez was confirmed to direct and co-write a spin-off to Labyrinth with Nicole Perlman and Jay Basu.[17] However, in April 2020, Álvarez announced that he had stepped down as director.[18]

Filmography

Short films

Director!width=65
Writerwidth=65Producerwidth=65EditorNotes
2001Los Pocillos
2003El Último Alevare
2005El Cojonudo
2009Ataque de pánico!Also visual effects supervisor & animator

Feature films

Director!width=65
Writerwidth=65ProducerNotes
2013Evil DeadAlso writer of the song "Baby, Little Baby"
2016Don't BreatheAlso viola soloist in soundtrack
2018The Girl in the Spider's Web
2021Don't Breathe 2
2022Texas Chainsaw Massacre
2024

Television

Director!width=65
Writerwidth=65Executive
Producer
Notes
2014Episode: "La Conquista"
2021CallsCreator, director and executive producer: 9 episodes
Writer: 7 episodes
Voice role as Jesus: 1 episode

Other credits

YearTitleRoleNotes
2017La pesteComposerShort film
2020My Heart Goes Boom!Thanks
2021Chaos WalkingDirector of reshoots

Notes and References

  1. http://rojosangre.quintadimension.com/2009/competencia.shtml Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre 2009
  2. Web site: Panic Attack Director Federico Álvarez Lands a Film at Ghost House . Alex . Billington . FirstShowing.net . 29 November 2009 . January 8, 2013.
  3. Web site: BREAKING: Director for 'The Evil Dead' Reboot! . Miska. Brad . . 12 July 2011 . January 8, 2013.
  4. Web site: Interview: Director Fede Álvarez on Don't Breathe. Comingsoon.net. 13 March 2016. 9 August 2016.
  5. Web site: Shaw-Williams. Hannah . Did Fede Álvarez Turn Down Marvel's Doctor Strange?. Screenrant. 29 July 2016 . 9 August 2016.
  6. Web site: McNary. Dave. 2017-02-06. 'Don't Breathe' Director Fede Álvarez Partners With Good Universe for Bad Hombre. 2022-01-10. Variety. en-US.
  7. Web site: The Girl In The Spider's Web (2018) - Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes. November 11, 2018.
  8. Web site: 'Chaos Walking' Eyes January 2021 Release. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony. D'Alessandro. February 7, 2020. February 7, 2020.
  9. Web site: 'Don't Breathe 2' Has a Script but 'Evil Dead 2' Does Not, Says Fede Álvarez. Brian. Welk. TheWrap. November 3, 2018. January 17, 2019.
  10. Web site: Fede Álvarez Confirms 'Don't Breathe 2' Script Is Done, Sequel Will Definitely Happen Before 'Evil Dead 2'. IndieWire. Zack. Sharf. Nov 3, 2018. January 17, 2019.
  11. Web site: 'Ghostbusters' Sequel Moves to Summer 2021 . . Rebecca . Rubin . October 21, 2020 . October 21, 2020.
  12. Web site: Kit . Borys . New 'Alien' Movie in the Works With 'Don't Breathe' Filmmaker Fede Álvarez (Exclusive) . . 4 March 2022 . 4 March 2022.
  13. https://deadline.com/2013/09/evil-deads-fede-alvarez-going-to-hell-m-universals-dantes-inferno/ 'Evil Dead's Fede Álvarez Going To Hell-m Universal's 'Dante's Inferno'
  14. News: Kit. Borys. Warner Bros. Nabbing 'Monsterpocalypse' Movie Rights in Bidding War (Exclusive). May 4, 2016. The Hollywood Reporter. May 3, 2016.
  15. Web site: Chris. Cabin. 'Don't Breathe' Director & '10 Cloverfield Lane' Writer Pairing for Sony's 'Incognito' Adaptation. Collider. September 11, 2016. September 11, 2016.
  16. Web site: Boris. Kit. 'Batman' Movie to be Directed by 'Planet of the Apes' Filmmaker Matt Reeves. The Hollywood Reporter. February 10, 2017. February 10, 2017.
  17. Web site: Knoll. Justin. 'Don't Breathe' Helmer Fede Álvarez to Direct 'Labyrinth' Spin-Off for TriStar. Variety. April 13, 2017. April 13, 2017.
  18. Web site: Squires. John. Fede Álvarez Explains Why He's No Longer Directing a 'Labyrinth' Sequel [Exclusive]]. Bloody Disgusting. April 29, 2020. May 26, 2020.