David S. Goyer Explained

David S. Goyer
Birth Name:David Samuel Goyer
Birth Date:December 22, 1965
Birth Place:Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
Spouse:Marina Black

David Samuel Goyer (born December 22, 1965) is an American filmmaker, novelist and comic book writer. He is best known for writing the screenplays for several superhero films, including Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1998), the Blade trilogy (1998–2004), Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy (2005–2012), Man of Steel (2013) and (2016). He has also directed four films: Zig Zag (2002), (2004), The Invisible (2007) and The Unborn (2009). He is the creator of the science fiction television series Foundation which is loosely based upon the Foundation series written by Isaac Asimov.

Goyer was co-writer of the video games , , and . He won a Saturn Award for Best Writing for Batman Begins (2005) and received another nomination for Dark City, and has been nominated for four Hugo Awards.

Early life

Goyer and his brother Jeff were born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and were raised by their mother. He is Jewish on his mother's side, and attended Hebrew school.[1] [2] [3] Goyer is an alumnus of Huron High School and the University of Southern California, graduating from the School of Cinema-Television in 1988.[4]

Goyer was a student of screenwriter Nelson Gidding at USC and frequently returned to Gidding's class as a guest speaker. He graduated in 1988 and sold his first screenplay for Death Warrant in 1989, which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme. With his first paycheck, he bought an Isuzu Trooper, which was stolen the first night he drove it home.[5]

Career

A professed comic book fanatic[6] who often wrote to letter columns, Goyer has written or co-written several screenplays based on comic book characters and series, including Batman, Superman, Ghost Rider, and Blade.[7] and had written a script treatment for a film adaptation of Venom, which was rejected. Goyer wrote a title based around the Justice Society of America for DC Comics titled JSA, which debuted in August 1999. For the first five issues, he collaborated with James Robinson and, until his departure following issue 51, with Geoff Johns, who would take over as solo writer. Alongside Brannon Braga, Goyer co-created FlashForward, a science-fiction TV series that premiered on ABC in 2009. The series was based on the novel by Robert J. Sawyer. He stepped in as show runner in October 2009 after the series struggled out of the gate. On February 5, 2010, Goyer announced he would be stepping down as FlashForward showrunner to focus on feature films and directing.

Goyer's comicbook films explore the consequences of becoming a symbolic figure, a topic he has long been interested in.[8] In 2011, Goyer wrote a short story titled "The Incident" in which Superman renounces his United States citizenship.[9] Goyer worked with Legendary Pictures on three of their projects. He co-wrote the scripts for The Dark Knight Rises (2012) and Man of Steel (2013). In addition, he did a one-step 4-week rewrite for Legendary Pictures' Godzilla reboot. During the same year, Goyer published his first novel, Heaven's Shadow, the first in a trilogy co-written by Michael Cassutt for Ace/Penguin. The novel received generally positive reviews. Goyer subsequently sold the film rights to Warner Bros. and is adapting the first novel for the big screen.[10]

In late October 2011, cable channel Starz and BBC Worldwide greenlit his TV project, Da Vinci's Demons, which followed the life of a 25-year-old Leonardo da Vinci. "This will be a show about secret histories, genius, madness and all things profane," according to Goyer.[11] The show ran for three seasons and received generally favorable reviews, including an 81% rating from Rotten Tomatoes.[12] In March 2013, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Goyer would be directing a film adaptation of the novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.[13]

In June 2013, he was announced to work on both Justice League and a sequel to Man of Steel.[14] In September 2013, Goyer delivered a screenwriting lecture as part of the BAFTA and BFI Screenwriters' Lecture Series.[15] Goyer produced the horror film The Forest, directed by Jason Zada.[16] Focus Features has the North American distribution rights to the film,[17] [18] which was Zada's feature film directorial debut.[16]

By 2014, having already earned a reputation as a veteran of the superhero genre, Goyer shifted his focus to the independent production genre, hiring producer Kevin Turen to run his company.[19] Explaining his thinking, Goyer said: "Everybody talks about how it seems like studios increasingly are relying on these big tentpoles and some micro-budget horror films, and that's the majority of the slate," Goyer said. "I've been a benefactor of that movement, but there are a ton of films out there I've really admired over the last few years that studios aren't making, and I wanted to see if I could help get more of them made."[19] In 2015, soon after embracing independent producing, Goyer won a competitive situation to produce the feature version of Miles.[20] Furthermore, he executive-produced Nate Parker's feature The Birth of a Nation, which sold for a record $17.5 million at the Sundance Film Festival, before sweeping the festival's awards.[21] [22]

In addition to producing, Goyer continues to write. In 2014, he was tapped to write and produce the feature Fantastic Voyage, based on the 1966 original, for James Cameron.[23] Breaking the news, The Hollywood Reporter announced: "The project has been quiet since 2011, but Goyer's involvement kick-starts and will re-engineer what the studio and producers hope to be an event-sized tentpole. It is also now placing the project on the fast track"[23] In January 2016, acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro signed on to direct the feature.[24] Goyer co-wrote Warner Bros.' blockbuster (2016), with Zack Snyder and Chris Terrio. In July 2016, it was announced that Goyer will write and direct an upcoming interactive virtual reality film about Darth Vader. Goyer stated that he found creating VR content very different from other media, but said "it's surprising how much you feel and how emotional [the VR experience] is [...] there is stuff that makes you tear up and cry, and it's really phenomenal."[25]

In January 2017, Goyer signed on to co-produce and co-write Green Lantern Corps, an installment in the DC Extended Universe, with Justin Rhodes, based on a story treatment by Goyer and Geoff Johns.[26] By April of the same year, it was announced that he had signed on to write the script for the reboot of Masters of the Universe, intended to be released in 2019.[27] Goyer was later announced as director along with Lindsey Beer writing a new draft of the screenplay in January 2018. Filming was set to begin April 2018.[28] By February of that year, Goyer dropped out as the film's director and writer.[29] According to Carlos Huante, a creature designer hired for the film and who worked on the original cartoon, Sony felt that Goyer's script would be too expensive to bring to life as Goyer intended for the movie to be on the epic scale of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.[30]

In September 2017, Deadline reported that Goyer and his Green Lantern Corps partner Justin Rhodes, as well as Chris Eglee and Josh Friedman were hired to take part in a writers room in order to write the next Terminator trilogy, under the direction of collaborating team Tim Miller and James Cameron.[31]

In the early 2020s, Goyer produced The Night House, starring Rebecca Hall, as well as the Scott Cooper film Antlers. The Night House premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival; Searchlight purchased the rights to the film,[32] and released it to critical acclaim in August 2021. Goyer produced the 2021 film The Tomorrow War, starring Chris Pratt for Skydance and Amazon. He has been signed on as a producer for the sequel.[33]

Goyer executive produces and serves as showrunner for Foundation, which premiered on Apple TV+ on September 24, 2021, and is based on Isaac Asimov's novels of the same name. He wrote the first and last episodes as well as directing the season finale.[34] Goyer co-wrote the pilot and serves as executive producer for The Sandman, which was released on Netflix on August 5, 2022. Goyer had been involved with an adaptation of Neil Gaiman's comic book The Sandman since he had pitched a story idea in December 2013.[35] By February 2014, he was set to produce a feature film, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but the film's development stalled and transitioned into a television show.[36]

For the 2022 film Hellraiser, a reimagining of the franchise of the same name, Goyer wrote the story and produced the film under the Phantom Four banner for Spyglass and Hulu.[37] His Phantom Four company had signed a deal with Village Roadshow Pictures.[38]

Works

Film

YearTitlewidth=65Directorwidth=65Writerwidth=65Producer
1990Death Warrant
1991Kickboxer 2
1992Demonic Toys
1993Arcade
1994The Puppet Masters
1996
1998Dark City
Blade
2002Zig Zag
Blade II
2004
2005Batman Begins
2007The Invisible
2008Jumper
The Dark Knight
2009The Unborn
2011
2012The Dark Knight Rises
2013Man of Steel
2016
2019
2022Hellraiser

Producer only

YearTitleNotes
2000Mission to MarsCo-producer
2007Ghost RiderExecutive producer
2016The Forest
The Birth of a NationExecutive producer
2018Assassination Nation
A.X.L.
Tau
2020The Night House
2021The Tomorrow War
Antlers
2024The First Omen

Uncredited writing roles

Television

YearTitlewidth=65Directorwidth=65Writerwidth=65ProducerCreatorNotes
1993The SubstituteTelevision film
Credited as Cynthia Verlaine
1996EnemyTelevision film
1997Perversions of ScienceWrote "Dream of Doom"
1997SleepwalkersWrote "Something Is Buried in Bethlehem" and "Counting Sheep"
1998Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.Television film
2000FreakyLinksWrote "Subject: Fearsum"
Credited as Ricardo Festiva
2005ThresholdDirected episode "Trees Made of Glass: Part 1";
Wrote episode "Trees Made of Glass: Part 2"
2006Wrote "Pilot" and "Conclave"
2009–2010FlashForwardWrote 5 episodes, directed 2 episodes
2012–2015Da Vinci's DemonsWrote 7 episodes, directed 2 episodes
2014–2015ConstantineWrote "Non Est Asylum" and "The Devil's Vinyl"
2018–2019KryptonWrote "Pilot" and "Light-Years From Home"
2021–presentFoundationWrote 5 episodes, directed 3 episodes
2022–presentThe SandmanWrote "Sleep of the Just"
2022Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities"The Autopsy"

Video games

YearTitlePublisher(s)SeriesNotes
2010ActivisionCall of DutyStory consultant
2012
2018Star Wars: Secrets of the EmpireDisney Interactive StudiosStar Wars
2019
2020ActivisionCall of Duty

Narrative podcasts

YearTitlewidth=65Producerwidth=65WriterNotes
2022Batman Unburied
2023The Riddler: Secrets in the Dark

Novels

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Unborn Set Visit: Writer-Director David Goyer. 8 April 2010. BloodyDisgusting.
  2. News: Man of Action. Aushenker. Michael. March 28, 2002. Jewish Journal. May 30, 2018.
  3. News: 'Da Vinci' goes rogue in new STARZ historical fantasy. Pfefferman. Naomi. April 3, 2013. Jewish Journal. May 30, 2018.
  4. http://cinema.usc.edu/alumni/notable.cfm Notable Alumni, USC School of Cinematic Arts
  5. Web site: David Goyer Biography . 2014-04-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140413140628/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/David-Goyer/biography/ . 2014-04-13 .
  6. News: Allstetter . Rob . August 1997 . Special Report: Blood on the Big Screen . . 72 . 122–3.
  7. Web site: David Goyer - Writer, Producer, Director. 2022-04-03. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20041010130814/http://screenwriting.ugo.com/screenwriting/davidgoyer_interview.php. October 10, 2004. mdy-all.
  8. Web site: How a 'Batman v Superman' writer predicted Marvel's 'Civil War' 30 years ago . Trenholm . Richard . 2016-03-30 . CNET . en . 2019-05-11.
  9. Web site: Hudson . Laura . Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship in 'Action Comics' #900 Read More: Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship in 'Action Comics' #900 . comicsalliance.com . Comics Alliance . 10 July 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140710001616/http://comicsalliance.com/superman-renounces-us-citizenship/ . 10 July 2014 .
  10. Web site: David Goyer To Adapt His Debut Novel 'Heaven's Shadow' For Film. Screen Rant. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120706195252/http://screenrant.com/david-goyer-heavens-shadow-novel-movie-sandy-75027/. 2012-07-06.
  11. News: Starz Orders David Goyer's 'Da Vinci's Demons' To Series . The Hollywood Reporter . Lesley . Goldberg . October 25, 2011.
  12. Web site: Da Vinci's Demons. www.rottentomatoes.com. 2016-02-18.
  13. Web site: David Goyer to Direct 'Count of Monte Cristo' Remake (Exclusive). 18 March 2013. The Hollywood Reporter. 4 October 2014.
  14. https://www.deadline.com/2013/06/man-of-steel-sequel-underway-with-zack-snyder-and-david-s-goyer/ ‘Man Of Steel’ Sequel Underway With Zack Snyder And David S. Goyer
  15. News: Goyer Delivers her BAFTA Screenwriters' Lecture . October 7, 2013 . BAFTA . September 28, 2013.
  16. News: Fleming. Mike Jr.. Lava Bear Sets Jason Zada To Helm David Goyer-Hatched 'The Forest': Video. October 30, 2014. Deadline Hollywood. November 5, 2013.
  17. News: Kit. Borys. Focus Picks Up David Goyer Supernatural Thriller 'The Forest'. October 30, 2014. The Hollywood Reporter. May 22, 2014.
  18. News: McNary. Dave. David Goyer's 'The Forest' Gets North American Distribution. October 30, 2014. Variety. May 23, 2014.
  19. Web site: David S. Goyer Taps Kevin Turen President As Superhero Vet Takes Indie Turn. Deadline Hollywood. 2016-02-18. en-US. Mike Jr.. Fleming. December 2014.
  20. Web site: David Goyer Tapped To Produce Feature Version Of Oliver Daly Short 'Miles'. Deadline. 2016-02-18. en-US. Mike Jr.. Fleming. 4 February 2015.
  21. Web site: Armie Hammer Joins Nate Parker's Nat Turner Biopic 'The Birth Of A Nation'. Deadline. 2016-02-18. en-US. Jen. Yamato. 12 November 2014.
  22. Web site: 'Birth Of A Nation' Sweeps Sundance Grand Jury & Audience Awards. Deadline. 2016-02-18. en-US. Patten. Dominic. Hipes. Patrick. 30 January 2016.
  23. Web site: David Goyer Joins James Cameron for 'Fantastic Voyage' (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. May 2014. 2016-02-18.
  24. Web site: Guillermo del Toro in Talks for 'Fantastic Voyage' Remake. Variety. 2016-02-18. en-US. Dave. McNary. 7 January 2016.
  25. Web site: David Goyer Says His Darth Vader VR Project Will Make You Cry. Slashfilm. Sciretta. Sciretta. July 6, 2017.
  26. Web site: Warner Bros Sets David Goyer, Justin Rhodes For 'Green Lantern Corps'. Deadline Hollywood. Fleming. Mike Jr.. January 12, 2017.
  27. McG no longer directing Masters of the Universe. Entertainment Weekly. Lawrence. Derek. April 26, 2017.
  28. Web site: Marc. Christopher. Sony's Masters Of The Universe Eyeing April 2018 Production Start. January 10, 2018. Omega Underground. January 14, 2018.
  29. Lang. Brent. Masters Of The Universe Still Needs Director As David Goyer Passes. February 8, 2018. Variety. February 8, 2018.
  30. Web site: Lang. Brent. David S. Goyer's 'Masters of the Universe' Would Have Been a 'Lord of the Rings'-Sized Epic. February 26, 2019. SlashFilm. May 1, 2019.
  31. Web site: Ramos. Dino-Ray. Linda Hamilton Set To Return To Terminator. Deadline Hollywood. 20 September 2017. September 27, 2017.
  32. Web site: Searchlight Pictures Closing $12 Million WW Rights Deal for Sundance Thriller 'The Night House'. 27 January 2020.
  33. Web site: The Tomorrow War 2 will answer a big White Spikes question. . 23 July 2021.
  34. Web site: Foundation. . 24 September 2021.
  35. Web site: Fleming . Mike Jr. . December 16, 2013 . Joseph Gordon-Levitt Eyeing Sandman as Director and Star, Producing with David Goyer at Warner Bros . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140713192800/http://www.deadline.com/2013/12/joseph-gordon-levitt-eyeing-sandman-as-director-star-producer-at-warner-bros/ . July 13, 2014 . December 16, 2013 . Deadline Hollywood.
  36. Web site: Heinberg . Allan . Allan Heinberg . July 29, 2022 . The Sandman: How the Netflix Series Was Born . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220729193553/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-sandman-netflix-series-born/ . July 29, 2022 . August 5, 2022 . Den of Geek.
  37. Web site: 'Hellraiser' Revival in the Works with 'Dark Knight' Writer David S. Goyer. 6 May 2019.
  38. Web site: Kroll. Justin. 2021-09-10. David Goyer's Phantom Four Films Signs First-Look Deal With Village Roadshow, Sets 'Reincarnation Of Peter Proud' As First Project. 2021-09-14. Deadline. en-US.