Colin Trevorrow

Early life and education

Trevorrow was born in San Francisco, California. He was raised in Oakland, California. His father was a musician in a country rock band and his mother was a photographer who also operated a day-care center.

As a boy, he sang in the chorus of the San Francisco Opera. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in film and dramatic writing from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts in 1999.

Career

In 2002, he wrote and directed his first short film, Home Base; as of 2012, it had received over 20 million hits online. Trevorrow's first theatrical release was with Reality Show, a 2004 documentary film about the failed production of a reality television show. Trevorrow sold his first spec script titled Tester to DreamWorks in 2006. In 2008, he paired up with Derek Connolly, ten years after they had first met as NYU students while working as interns on Saturday Night Live, to write a buddy cop film script called Cocked and Loaded. Trevorrow said that the experience was so enjoyable that he decided to give up solo screenwriting and work with Connolly.

In 2012, Trevorrow directed Safety Not Guaranteed, a film inspired by a classified advertisement which ran in a 1997 issue of Backwoods Home Magazine that read: "Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. P.O. Box 322, Oakview, CA 93022. You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before." The script was by Connolly, who intended for Trevorrow to direct it. The film received various accolades, including a nomination for Trevorrow for the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. After the release of Safety Not Guaranteed, Trevorrow and Connolly were hired by the Walt Disney Company to write an as-yet unmade remake of the film Flight of the Navigator (1986). Trevorrow co-wrote and directed Jurassic World (2015), and also provided his voice for the film's character of Mr. DNA. Connolly and Trevorrow also co-wrote the screenplay for its sequel, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, which was released in June 2018 and for which Trevorrow is an executive producer.

In March 2015, it was announced that Trevorrow would be directing the sci-fi thriller film Intelligent Life, which was bought by DreamWorks. Trevorrow wrote the screenplay with Connolly, while Trevorrow, Frank Marshall, Big Beach, and Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment were announced as producing the film. While there has been other production news since, including Ava DuVernay being attached to direct, as of December 2019 the film has not entered into production.

In August 2015, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn announced that Trevorrow would direct Star Wars: Episode IX (2019). Trevorrow and Connolly subsequently began writing the script for the film; titled Star Wars: Duel of the Fates. However, in August 2017, writer Jack Thorne was brought in to rewrite the script due to dissatisfaction by Lucasfilm with their script. By September 2017, Trevorrow was let go from the project due to creative differences and was replaced as director by Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J. J. Abrams, who co-wrote the script with Chris Terrio. However, Trevorrow and Connolly still received story writing credit in addition to Abrams and Terrio. Trevorrow donated residuals he earned from the film to charity.

Trevorrow directed The Book of Henry, which was written by Gregg Hurwitz. The film was released by Focus Features on June 16, 2017, to generally negative reviews, although Trevorrow stood by the film.

On March 30, 2018, it was announced that Trevorrow would be returning to the Jurassic Park franchise, directing Jurassic World Dominion (2022).

On March 16, 2021, it was announced that Trevorrow would direct War Magician, a historical war film about Jasper Maskelyne, a British illusionist who used magic to defeat Nazis in World War II. Benedict Cumberbatch is set to star.

On February 5, 2023, it was revealed that Trevorrow would direct and produce a film titled Atlantis for Universal Pictures. Charmaine DeGraté is set to write the script.

On February 12, 2024, it was announced by Collider that, alongside Eddie Vaisman and Julia Lebedev, Trevorrow would produce Trash Mountain, a film about a young gay man from Chicago returning to his rural Missouri to deal with his father's hoarder state after the latter's death. Lilly Wachowski is set to direct the film, Caleb Hearon and Ruby Caster are set to write the script and Hearon will star likewise.

Trevorrow's first film produced under his Metronome Film Co. banner, Deep Cover, is set for release by Amazon MGM Studios on June 12, 2025 and will serve as the Centrepiece Headliner at the inaugural SXSW London festival.

In May 2025, it was announced that Trevorrow would direct and produce a thriller film about Area 51 for Paramount Pictures and Maximum Effort.

In October 2025, it was reported that Trevorrow was in talks to direct a live-action adaptation of The Jetsons for Warner Bros. Pictures, with Jim Carrey set to play George Jetson. Trevorrow was also reported to be in talks to write the screenplay alongside Joe Epstein.

Personal life

Trevorrow lives with his wife, Isabelle, and two children in the United Kingdom.

Filmography

Short film

Feature film

Television

Theme parks

References

References

1. Trevorrow, Colin. (June 7, 2012). "Colin Trevorrow SIFF Interview – Safety Not Guaranteed – The MacGuffin".
2. Kroll, Justin. (March 15, 2022). "'Jurassic World' Director Colin Trevorrow Signs With WME". Penske Media Corporation.
3. (June 18, 2015). "Celebrity Jews".
4. Barnes, Brooks. (June 3, 2015). "'Jurassic World' Puts Colin Trevorrow in the Driver's Seat". [[The New York Times]].
5. Douglas, Edward. (June 6, 2012). "Interview: Safety Not Guaranteed's Colin Trevorrow & Jake Johnson".
6. Blair, Iain. (June 1, 2015). "Director's Chair: Colin Trevorrow – 'Jurassic World'". [[Post Magazine]].
7. Bloom, Nate. (June 10, 2015). "Jews in the News: Ahmed Zayat, Eric Balfour and Ashley Tisdale". Jewish Federation of Tampa.
8. Sneider, Jeff. (February 6, 2012). "Tisch School alum make Sundance impressions". [[Variety (magazine).
9. Barnes, Brooks. (2015-06-03). "‘Jurassic World’ Puts Colin Trevorrow in the Driver’s Seat". The New York Times.
10. "Colin Trevorrow". [[Independent Spirit Awards]].
11. Vizcarrondo, Sara Maria. (June 12, 2012). "Little Time Machines Everywhere: Director Colin Trevorrow on 'Safety Not Guaranteed'".
12. Connelly, Brendon. (December 20, 2012). "Safety Not Guaranteed's Colin Trevorrow On His Old Scripts That Might Yet Get Made". BleedingCool.com.
13. (March 2015). "Meet the 'Jurassic World' Dinosaurs! – Bloody Disgusting".
14. (May 8, 2015). "The unbelievable backstory of the 18-year-old classified ad that refuses to die".
15. Jones, Alison. (January 4, 2013). "Colin Trevorrow has a fresh take on time travelling". [[Birmingham Mail]].
16. "Vertigo high on Safety Not Guaranteed". Screen.
17. Sneider, Jeff. (November 27, 2012). "Disney taps 'Safety' duo for 'Navigator' rewrite". [[Variety (magazine).
18. Fleming, Mike Jr.. (March 14, 2013). "Colin Trevorrow To Helm 'Jurassic Park 4' For Universal And Steven Spielberg".
19. (March 1, 2015). "Jurassic World! New Look at the Dinosaurs – Dread Central".
20. Anderton, Ethan. (June 15, 2015). "'Jurassic World' Easter Eggs: Did You Catch These 'Jurassic Park' References? (page 2)". /Film.
21. Ryan, Mike. (June 8, 2015). "'Jurassic World' Director Colin Trevorrow Explains Why He Won't Be Making Another 'Jurassic World'". Uproxx.
22. Cabin, Chris. (July 21, 2016). "'Jurassic World 2' Hawaii Production Gets 2017 Start Date". Collider.com.
23. Rebecca Ford. (July 23, 2015). "'Jurassic World 2' Set for 2018". ([[Prometheus Global Media]]).
24. (March 6, 2015). "'Jurassic World' Director Colin Trevorrow Tackling Sci-Fi Thriller 'Intelligent Life' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
25. (May 4, 2016). "Ava DuVernay Exits Sci-Fi Film 'Intelligent Life'".
26. (August 15, 2015). "'Star Wars: Episode IX' Sets 'Jurassic World' Director Colin Trevorrow to Helm". The Hollywood Reporter.
27. Chitwood, Adam. (January 12, 2016). "'Star Wars: Episode IX' Director Colin Trevorrow Promises "Satisfying" Answer to Rey Theories". Collider.
28. Evangelista, Chris. (January 15, 2020). "Colin Trevorrow 'Star Wars' Script Leaks, Reveals a Very Different Movie Called 'Star Wars: Duel of the Fates'". /Film.
29. (August 2, 2017). "The Man Re-Writing Colin Trevorrow's Star Wars Is Fantasy's Secret Weapon".
30. (August 1, 2017). "'Star Wars: Episode IX' Gets a New Writer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
31. (September 12, 2017). "J.J. Abrams to Replace Colin Trevorrow as Director of 'Star Wars: Episode IX'".
32. Lawrence, Gregory. (November 15, 2019). "Exclusive: 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Final Writing Credits Revealed".
33. Fleming, Mike Jr.. (November 26, 2019). "Colin Trevorrow Donating 'Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker' Residuals To Alexander Devine Children's Hospice".
34. Kit, Borys. (March 30, 2015). "'Jurassic World' Director Colin Trevorrow Tackling 'Book of Henry'". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
35. (May 31, 2016). "Colin Trevorrow's ''The Book Of Henry'' to Hit Theaters in September". Deadline.
36. Gettell, Oliver. (August 2, 2016). "Colin Trevorrow's drama ''Book of Henry'' delayed until 2017".
37. (June 26, 2017). "Colin Trevorrow Responds to Negative 'Book of Henry' Reviews: 'I Do Stand by the Movie'".
38. "Colin Trevorrow to Direct 'Jurassic World 3'". The Hollywood Reporter.
39. (March 16, 2021). "Colin Trevorrow To Direct Benedict Cumberbatch In Studiocanal's 'War Magician'".
40. (March 16, 2021). "Benedict Cumberbatch to Star in WWII Film 'War Magician' From Colin Trevorrow".
41. (February 5, 2023). "Colin Trevorrow, 'House of the Dragon' Writer Charmaine DeGraté Team for 'Atlantis' at Skydance (Exclusive)".
42. McPherson, Chris. (February 12, 2024). "Lilly Wachowski Has Set Her Sights on Her Next Film [Exclusive]".
43. (April 10, 2025). "SXSW London: Amazon's 'Deep Cover' Starring Bryce Dallas Howard to Premiere as Centrepiece Headliner".
44. Kroll, Justin. (May 29, 2025). "Colin Trevorrow & Maximum Effort Team on Conspiracy Thriller At Paramount Pictures".
45. Gonzalez, Umberto. (October 15, 2025). "Jim Carrey in Talks to Lead Live-Action ‘The Jetsons’ Movie, Colin Trevorrow to Direct (Exclusive)".
46. Radulovic, Petrana. (June 13, 2019). "Star Wars land contains a piece of Colin Trevorrow's version of Episode IX".