Louis Leterrier Explained

Louis Leterrier
Birth Date:17 June 1973
Birth Place:Paris, France
Yearsactive:1997-present
Spouse:Béatrice Leterrier (divorced)[1]
Children:2
Father:François Leterrier
Mother:Catherine Leterrier
Relatives:
Alma Mater:New York University Tisch School of the Arts

Louis Leterrier (in French lwi lətɛʁje/; born 17 June 1973) is a French film and television director. Best known for his work in action films, he directed the first two Transporter films (2002–2005), The Incredible Hulk (2008), Clash of the Titans (2010), Now You See Me (2013), and the tenth Fast & Furious installment, Fast X (2023). He also directed the streaming television series (2019).

Career

In 1997, he assisted Jean-Pierre Jeunet on the set of Alien Resurrection. On returning to France, he worked with Luc Besson on the production of commercials for Club Internet and L'Oréal as well as on the film Joan of Arc. He also collaborated, as the second assistant director, with Alain Chabat on the production of (2002).

Later in 2002, Louis Leterrier directed The Transporter, an action movie starring Jason Statham. Although the US release lists him as artistic director and Corey Yuen as director, the opening credits of the European release grant him directorial credit and list Yuen as action director. Leterrier later entered the so-called "Besson stable" – a group of directors working on films produced by or associated with Luc Besson – alongside Chris Nahon and Pierre Morel. He directed Jet Li in Unleashed, his solo debut feature, a full-length martial arts film (2004). Luc Besson then entrusted him with directorial control of Transporter 2, set this time in Miami.[2]

In 2008, as part of a wave of French directors employed in Hollywood, he directed his first big-budget American film, The Incredible Hulk. His next project, a remake of the 1981 Clash of the Titans produced by Warner Bros., was released on 2 April 2010. Leterrier had mentioned that he would like to create a Clash of the Titans franchise, should the latest film prove to be successful.[3] [4] However, in June 2010, Jonathan Liebesman was named as director of the sequel, leaving Leterrier's involvement in future films in doubt.[5]

Leterrier directed the spy comedy film Grimsby (2016), written by, and starring, Sacha Baron Cohen.[6] In March 2015, Deadline Hollywood reported that Leterrier was in talks to direct the shark thriller film In the Deep, for Sony Pictures Entertainment.[7] However, on 3 June 2015, TheWrap reported that Leterrier had exited the film due to creative differences and the reduction of the previously told budget.[8]

In 2019, Leterrier directed the first season of for Netflix, a prequel series to The Dark Crystal consisting of ten hour-long episodes.

In May 2022, Leterrier announced that he will be directing Fast X, the tenth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, replacing series director Justin Lin, who retained producing and writing credits.[9] In April 2023, it was announced Leterrier would direct the eleventh film in the series.[10]

Filmography

Feature films

Director

YearTitleNotes
2002The Transporter
2005Unleashed
Transporter 2
2008The Incredible Hulk
2010Clash of the Titans
2013Now You See Me
2016Grimsby
2022The Takedown
2023Fast XReplaced Justin Lin[11]
202511817
2026Fast X: Part 2

Executive producer

Producer

Acting roles

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002Ouhécharlis
2010Clash of the TitansKrakenUncredited role

Television

YearTitleDirectorExecutive
Producer
Notes
2017Tycoon9 episodes
201910 episodes
2021Lupin3 episodes
TBADark Matter

Other credits

YearTitleRole
1992The Son of the MekongTrainee
1997Alien ResurrectionOn-set production assistant
1998Restons groupésSecond assistant director
1999Production assistant
2002Second assistant director
The Idol
2016AresCo-producer

Notes and References

  1. News: Soghomonian . Talia . Louis Leterrier's Wife Béatrice to Direct WRECKING BALL; Eva Mendes to Star . 10 March 2022 . . Valnet Inc . January 12, 2011.
  2. News: Fleming. Mike Jr.. Louis Letterier Transporter. 23 March 2015. BD. 23 March 2015. 2 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160346/http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3337302/sonys-deep-may-found-director/. live.
  3. Web site: The Gods Should Fear Perseus' Plans for 'Clash' Trilogy. 29 January 2010. BloodyDisgusting. 17 April 2020. 3 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170703211802/http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/18880. live.
  4. Web site: EXCLUSIVE: 'Clash Of The Titans' Director Louis Leterrier Sees Franchise Potential, Hints At A Trilogy. MTV. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100124123452/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/01/22/exclusive-clash-of-the-titans-director-louis-leterrier-sees-franchise-potential-hints-at-a-trilogy/. 24 January 2010.
  5. Web site: Liebesman Confirmed for Clash of the Titans 2. 31 August 2010. ComingSoon.net. 16 April 2021. 23 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210623125041/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/69406-liebesman-confirmed-for-clash-of-the-titans-2. live.
  6. News: Kit. Borys. Louis Leterrier to Direct Sacha Baron Cohen in Spy Spoof 'Grimsby'. 25 April 2014. hollywoodreporter.com. 3 December 2013. 8 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180708075858/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/louis-leterrier-direct-sacha-baron-654496. live.
  7. News: Fleming. Mike Jr.. Louis Letterier In Swim On Sony Shark Tale 'In The Deep'. 23 March 2015. Deadline. 23 March 2015. 24 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150324184844/http://deadline.com/2015/03/louis-letterier-the-deep-shark-tale-sony-1201397327/. live.
  8. Web site: Geier. Thom. Sony's Shark Movie 'In the Deep' Loses Director Louis Leterrier (Exclusive). Thewrap.com. 3 June 2015. 15 June 2016. 6 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210606092530/https://www.thewrap.com/sonys-shark-movie-in-the-deep-loses-director-louis-leterrier-exclusive/. live.
  9. Web site: Vary. Adam. Donnelly. Matt. Jackson. Angelique. Fast X: Louis Leterrier to Replace Justin Lin as Director. May 2, 2022. Variety. May 2, 2022. 2 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220502164440/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/fast-x-director-louis-leterrier-justin-lin-1235254657/. live.
  10. Web site: Vlessing. Etan. Louis Leterrier to Direct 11th Fast and Furious Movie. April 19, 2023. April 20, 2023. The Hollywood Reporter.
  11. Web site: Donnelly . Matt . Vary . Adam . 'Fast X': Louis Leterrier to Replace Justin Lin as Director . 2 May 2022 . . 5 May 2022 . 2 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220502164440/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/fast-x-director-louis-leterrier-justin-lin-1235254657/ . live .