Will Speck and Josh Gordon explained

Will Speck and Josh Gordon
Birth Date:Will Speck
31 December 1969
New York City, New York, U.S.
Years Active:1997–present

Will Speck (born December 31, 1969) and Josh Gordon are an American filmmaker duo who generally work in the comedy genre. They have directed six feature films together. Their accolades include an Academy Award nomination.

Speck and Gordon met while attending the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Their short film Culture (1997) was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. They directed their first feature film, Blades of Glory, in 2007. Their works include the movies The Switch (2010), The Power Inside (2013), Office Christmas Party (2016), and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022), and the television shows Cavemen (2007) and Hit-Monkey (2021). They have one upcoming film, Distant.

Career

Will Speck and Josh Gordon met when they were paired for a group assignment at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. They became friends and wrote screenplays together in Los Angeles in 1994. Gordon joined the writing staff of the sitcom Mad About You and Speck worked with Fox 2000 Pictures as a creative executive. They wrote and directed the short films Angry Boys and Culture in 1997. Culture starred Philip Seymour Hoffman and earned Best Narrative Short Film at the Chicago International Film Festival and an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film. Gordon said the two shorts were "the first times we expressed our sensibility on film."[1] [2]

Speck and Gordon made their feature directorial debut in 2007 with the comedy Blades of Glory, starring Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Will Arnett, and Amy Poehler. It was both a critical and commercial success, earning over $145 million at the box office.[3] Also in 2007, they worked on the sitcom Cavemen as writers, directors, and executive producers.[4] [5] The distributor ABC struggled to promote the series, and it received mixed reviews; the Chicago Tribune called it one of the worst television shows ever made.[6] [7] In 2010, Speck and Gordon directed Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman in the romantic comedy film The Switch; it was met with mixed reviews, particularly for its screenplay.[8] In 2013, they directed the interactive social film The Power Inside, which was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding New Approaches in a Drama Series.

Speck and Gordon also directed hundreds of commercials. Their most notable ones are the GEICO Cavemen campaign ("So easy, a caveman could it do") that inspired the show Cavemen,[9] [10] a "Make Homosexuals Marry" commercial with Justin Long and Mike White,[11] and an advertisement promoting organ donation, titled "World's Biggest Asshole", starring Thomas Jane and the voice of Arnett.[12] Forbes magazine listed "World's Biggest Asshole" as one of the best advertisements of 2016.[13] At the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the commercial's sponsor was awarded ten Golden Lions (three golds, two silvers, and five bronzes).[14] In 2016, Speck and Gordon directed two episodes of the series Flaked, starring Arnett, and the movie Office Christmas Party, starring Aniston and Bateman.[15] In 2021, their animated television series Hit-Monkey, based on the Marvel Comics character, was released on Hulu. Their next work, the musical film Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile based on the children's book and starring Shawn Mendes, was released in 2022.[16] [17] They directed a science fiction movie called Distant.

Future and unrealized projects

Speck and Gordon were reported to direct many movies which were either canceled or in development hell. They include the movies I Want to ______ Your Sister (announced in 2008; abandoned by 2019),[18] [19] The Pool (announced in 2011),[20] Parents Weekend (announced in 2015),[21] The Travelers (announced in 2017),[22] and War Driver (announced in 2020).[23] As of May 2021, Variety Insight reports The Pool, The Travelers, and War Driver have been canceled.

In October 2022, it was announced they would direct and produce a musical adaptation of the video game The Oregon Trail.[24]

Filmography

Short film

YearTitleDirectorsWriters
1997Angry Boy
Culture[25]

Feature film

YearTitleDirectorsProducers
2007Blades of Glory[26]
2010[27]
2013[28] [29]
2016Office Christmas Party[30]
2022Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
2024Distant[31]

Television

YearTitleDirectorsWritersExecutive
Producers		Notes
2007CavemenAlso developers with Joe Lawson
2016FlakedEpisodes "Rose" and "Palms"[32]
2021–presentHit-MonkeyAlso creators[33] [34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Will Speck. Rotten Tomatoes. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519185250/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/will_speck. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  2. Web site: Culturing comedy. September 2, 1999. Cynthia. Littleton. Variety. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520215052/https://variety.com/1999/tv/news/culturing-comedy-1117755351/. May 20, 2021. live. May 20, 2021.
  3. 0445934. Blades of Glory. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519191346/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0445934/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  4. Web site: A Sitcom Battles Its Own Prehistory. limited. December 9, 2007. Dave. Itzkoff. Dave Itzkoff. The New York Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519001915/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/arts/television/09dave.html. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  5. 'Cavemen': The evolution of a sitcom. October 3, 2007. Tanner. Stransky. Entertainment Weekly. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519001947/https://ew.com/article/2007/10/03/cavemen-evolution-sitcom/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  6. News: ABC's 'Cavemen' undergoes a little pre-debut evolution. Lynn. Elber. October 2, 2007. 14. The Daily Journal. Vineland, New Jersey. Newspapers.com. May 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519191632/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77978237/abcs-cavemen-undergoes-a-little/. May 19, 2021. live.
  7. Web site: Top 25 worst TV shows ever. limited. October 26, 2007. Chicago Tribune. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519191624/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-071024worst_tv-story.html. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  8. The Switch. baster. m. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519203816/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/baster. May 19, 2021. May 19, 2021. live.
  9. News: A sneak peek at this fall's lineup. David. Bianculli. David Bianculli. May 11, 2017. 127. New York Daily News. New York City, New York. Newspapers.com. May 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519204427/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77984073/a-sneak-peek-at-this-falls-lineup/. May 19, 2021. live.
  10. Web site: Geico Brings Back Cavemen. subscription. February 4, 2008. Brian. Steinberg. Ad Age. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519205009/https://adage.com/article/media/geico-brings-back-cavemen/124855. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  11. Web site: 'Devin & Glenn': Justin Long And Mike White Team Up For 'Make Homosexuals Marry' Campaign. December 6, 2017. David. Glenn. HuffPost. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519200924/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/devin-glenn-justin-long-a_n_602602. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  12. Web site: Thomas Jane Plays the 'World's Biggest Asshole' in This Very Surprising Film. subscription. August 4, 2016. Alexandra. Jardine. Ad Age. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519200930/https://adage.com/creativity/work/worlds-biggest-asshole/48478. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  13. Web site: In A Year Of Great Storytelling, My Top 5 Ads Of 2016. December 27, 2016. Will. Burns. Forbes. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519201514/https://www.forbes.com/sites/willburns/2016/12/27/in-a-year-of-great-storytelling-the-top-5-ads-of-2016/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  14. Web site: Why Cannes Is Ready to Fall in Love With the World's Biggest Asshole. subscription. June 19, 2017. Katie. Richards. Adweek. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519201434/https://www.adweek.com/creativity/why-cannes-is-ready-to-fall-in-love-with-the-worlds-biggest-asshole/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  15. Web site: Dreamworks Invites Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston To 'Office Christmas Party'. February 19, 2016. Ross A.. Lincoln. Deadline Hollywood. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519210239/https://deadline.com/2016/02/office-christmas-party-dreamworks-jennifer-aniston-jason-bateman-1201706079/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  16. Web site: Will Speck & Josh Gordon To Helm 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' At Sony Pictures. May 17, 2021. Mike Jr.. Fleming. Deadline Hollywood. https://web.archive.org/web/20210517205037/https://deadline.com/2021/05/lyle-lyle-crocodile-movie-will-speck-josh-gordon-direct-sony-pictures-1234758593/. May 17, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  17. Web site: Sony Sets Dates For Whitney Houston & George Foreman Biopics, Two Others; 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' On The Move. September 9, 2021. Erik. Pedersen. Deadline Hollywood. https://web.archive.org/web/20210910021845/https://deadline.com/2021/09/whitney-houston-biopic-release-date-george-foreman-lyle-lyle-crocodile-sony-1234830193/. September 10, 2021. live. September 10, 2021.
  18. Web site: Speck, Gordon to direct 'Sister'. February 20, 2008. Tatiana. Siegel. Variety. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520220709/https://variety.com/2008/film/features/speck-gordon-to-direct-sister-1117981216/. May 20, 2021. live. May 20, 2021.
  19. Web site: Glen Powell to Star in STX Comedy 'I Wanna F*** Your Brother'. June 4, 2019. Mia. Galuppo. The Hollywood Reporter. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520220737/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/glen-powell-star-i-wanna-f-your-brother-1215732/. May 20, 2021. live. May 20, 2021.
  20. Web site: 'Blades Of Glory' Duo Dives Into 'The Pool'. February 8, 2011. Mike Jr.. Fleming. Deadline Hollywood. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519212034/https://deadline.com/2011/02/blades-of-glory-duo-dives-into-the-pool-104242/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  21. Web site: Lotus Entertainment Acquires Comedy Spec 'Parents Weekend'. June 1, 2015. Anita. Busch. Deadline Hollywood. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519212433/https://deadline.com/2015/06/lotus-entertainment-comedy-spec-parents-weekend-1201435722/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  22. Web site: Will Speck & Josh Gordon To Direct Amblin's 'The Travelers'. October 5, 2017. Mike Jr.. Fleming. Deadline Hollywood. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519212935/https://deadline.com/2017/10/will-speck-josh-gordon-direct-the-travelers-chris-pavone-jonathan-herman-amblin-partners-1202182405/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  23. Web site: Film and TV Projects Going Into Production – War Driver. Variety Insight. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520185932/https://www.varietyinsight.com/production_restart_full_view.php?track_id=153161. May 20, 2021. live. May 20, 2021.
  24. Web site: The Oregon Trail: The Iconic Video Game is Being Made Into Movie Musical [Exclusive]]. October 5, 2022. Ryan. O'Rourke. Collider. October 6, 2022.
  25. Web site: Making Something Out Of Nothing: Will Speck and Josh Gordon on 'Office Christmas Party'. December 5, 2016. Matt. Fagerholm. RogerEbert.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20210116124637/https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/making-something-out-of-nothing-will-speck-and-josh-gordon-on-office-christmas-party. January 16, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  26. Web site: 'Glory' guys did well skating, filming on thin ice. March 27, 2007. Martin A.. Grove. The Hollywood Reporter. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519000252/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/glory-guys-did-well-skating-132783/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  27. Web site: Directors Josh Gordon and Will Speck Exclusive Interview THE SWITCH. August 19, 2010. Jake. Lasker. Collider. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519002615/https://collider.com/director-josh-gordon-will-speck-interview-the-switch/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  28. Web site: Intel & Toshiba Team Up for New Social Film The Power Inside Starring Harvey Keitel. August 16, 2013. Alexa. Camp. Slant Magazine. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519003232/https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/intel-toshiba-team-up-for-new-social-film-the-power-inside-starring-harvey-keitel/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  29. Web site: Daytime Emmy Awards: Winners List. June 22, 2014. Kimberly. Nordyke. The Hollywood Reporter. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519003308/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/daytime-emmy-awards-winners-2014-713918/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  30. Web site: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman to Star in 'Office Christmas Party' (Exclusive). February 19, 2016. Borys. Kit. The Hollywood Reporter. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519005243/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/jennifer-aniston-jason-bateman-star-867614/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  31. Web site: Blades of Glory Filmmakers Tackling Sci-Fi Adventure Distant for Amblin (Exclusive). August 22, 2019. Borys . Kit. The Hollywood Reporter. https://web.archive.org/web/20210101011147/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/blades-glory-filmmakers-tackling-sci-fi-movie-distant-1233881. January 1, 2021. live. January 1, 2021.
  33. Web site: 'Howard the Duck' Among Four Marvel Animated Shows Ordered at Hulu. February 11, 2019. Joe. Otterson. Variety. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519214824/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/marvel-hulu-howard-the-duck-modok-hit-monkey-dazzler-tigra-1203134321/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.
  34. Web site: 'Helstrom' Canceled at Hulu. December 14, 2020. Lesley. Goldberg. The Hollywood Reporter. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519215014/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/helstrom-canceled-at-hulu-4104655/. May 19, 2021. live. May 19, 2021.

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