David Leitch

Career

Leitch graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations in 1993.

Leitch was a stunt double for Brad Pitt five times and twice for Jean-Claude Van Damme. Leitch and his crew won two awards for The Bourne Ultimatum at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. He also shared a 2008 Taurus World Stunt Award with fellow stunt-person Kai Martin for high work.

He wrote and starred in Confessions of an Action Star, a parody of action films and the action film industry released in 2009.

Leitch and Chad Stahelski opened an action design production company called 87Eleven in 1997. In 2009, Stahelski and Leitch were second-unit directors and stunt co-ordinators on Ninja Assassin. The two co-directed the 2014 film John Wick, although Leitch himself was not credited as co-director. Leitch executive produced the three John Wick sequels, which Stahelski solo directed.

He moved on to direct films such as Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2 and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw with his wife and creative partner Kelly McCormick serving as a producer. In 2022, he also directed Pitt in the action-thriller Bullet Train.

In September 2020, Leitch signed on to direct and produce stuntman drama The Fall Guy for Universal Pictures, with Drew Pearce writing the screenplay and Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt starring. The film, based on the 1980s television series of the same name, was released in the United States on May 3, 2024.

Upcoming/unrealized projects

In July 2018, Leitch was in early talks to direct a remake of Enter the Dragon, but on April 22, 2019, it was reported to be a sequel, rather than a remake. In January 2019, Leitch signed on to direct Undying Love, based on the limited comic book series by Tomm Coker and Daniel Freedman, for Studio 8. In July 2022, it was announced Leitch would direct the television miniseries Hot Air, starring Andrew Garfield as Richard Branson, based on the book Dirty Secrets by Martyn Gregory. In August 2022, Leitch was attached to direct a Netflix adaptation of the Dark Horse comic series Bang!, with Idris Elba set to star. In November 2022, Leitch became attached to direct spy thriller Red Shirt, based on a pitch by Simon Kinberg and with Channing Tatum set to star; by the end of the month, the project was picked up by Amazon Studios. In January 2024, Leitch was onboard to direct a feature-length adaptation of Kung Fu for Universal Pictures, with Donnie Yen set to star. In May 2024, Leitch was attached to produce and possibly direct a television series adaptation of Button Man for Fifth Season. In January 2025, he entered early talks to direct Ocean's 14, a sequel to the Ocean's franchise.

Leitch was once attached to direct The Division, based on the video game of the same name, but he stepped down due to scheduling conflicts with Bullet Train. He was also set to direct the action thriller Fast & Loose for Netflix and STXfilms, with Will Smith set to star, but by March 2022, he left the project to focus instead on The Fall Guy. He would continue to be involved as producer with Michael Bay in talks to replace him as director. Leitch was in discussions to direct a new Jurassic Park film scheduled for July 2, 2025, but left the project over creative differences; the film was ultimately directed by Gareth Edwards.

In May 2025, it was announced Leitch would direct the crime action thriller How to Rob a Bank, starring Nicolas Hoult, Pete Davidson, and Anna Sawai. The film will be distributed by Amazon MGM Studios and is scheduled for September 4, 2026.

Personal life

Leitch dated actress Maggie Q from 2009 to 2011.

He has been married to executive producer Kelly McCormick since 2014.

Filmography

Film

Producer only

• Nobody (2021)
• Violent Night (2022)
• Love Hurts (2025)
• Nobody 2 (2025)
• Violent Night 2 (2026)
• Ballerina Overdrive (TBA)
• Highlander (TBA)

Writer

• Confessions of an Action Star (2005)

Executive producer

• John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
• John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
• Kate (2021)
• John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Short film

2nd unit director

Stuntwork

• Perfect Target (1997)
• Orgazmo (1997)
• Almost Heroes (1998)
• BASEketball (1998)
• Blade (1998)
• Out in Fifty (1999)
• Fight Club (1999)
• The Right Hook (2000)
• Big Momma's House (2000)
• Yup Yup Man (2000)
• Bad Seed (2000)
• Men of Honor (2000)
• The Substitute: Failure Is Not an Option (2001)
• The Score (2001)
• The Mexican (2001)
• Replicant (2001)
• Ocean's Eleven (2001)
• Spy Game (2001)
• One Night at McCool's (2001)
• Ghost of Mars (2001)
• Corky Romano (2001)
• The Order (2001)
• Serving Sara (2002)
• Daredevil (2003)
• In Hell (2003)
• Seabiscuit (2003)
• S.W.A.T. (2003)
• The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
• The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
• Stuck on You (2003)
• Troy (2004)
• In Enemy Hands (2004)
• Van Helsing (2004)
• Constantine (2005)
• XXX: State of the Union (2005)
• Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)
• The Dukes of Hazzard (2005)
• Serenity (2005)
• V for Vendetta (2005)
• Underworld: Evolution (2006)
• When a Stranger Calls (2006)
• Beerfest (2006)
• 300 (2006)
• Next (2007)
• The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
• The Invasion (2007)
• I Am Legend (2007)
• The Gene Generation (2007)
• Mama's Boy (2007)
• Jumper (2008)
• Speed Racer (2008)
• The Midnight Meat Train (2008)
• Bangkok Dangerous (2008)
• Angels & Demons (2009)
• X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
• The Hangover (2009)
• Tron: Legacy (2010)
• The Mechanic (2011)
• Conan the Barbarian (2011)
• In Time (2011)
• Movie 43: "Happy Birthday" segment (2013)
• Jupiter Ascending (2015)

Acting credits

Television

Stunts

Acting credits

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. "David Leitch".
2. (August 2, 2019). "5 questions with "Hobbs & Shaw" director - and Wisconsin native - David Leitch".
3. Murphy, Mekado. (May 17, 2018). "Anatomy of a Scene {{!}} 'Deadpool 2'". The New York Times.
4. (October 21, 2014). "John Wick' Filmmakers on How to Direct Action, DGA, Keanu Reeves' Advice, and More". The Film Stage.
5. Johnson, Laura. (2024-11-01). "Life on the Other Side of Fear".
6. (January 27, 2008). "Final 14th Annual SAG Awards Recipient Press Release". [[Screen Actors Guild]].
7. (2008). "Taurus World Stunt Award Winners and Nominees 2008". Taurus World Stunt Award.
8. (May 15, 2009). "Interview with David Leitch (Matrix, 300, Wolverine, Bourne Ultimatum, Confessions of an Action Star) Pt. 1". Action Flick Chick.
9. (June 16, 2009). "Interview with David Leitch (Part 2)". Action Flick Chick.
10. (24 October 2014). "Keanu Reeves, 'John Wick' Directors on How Their 'Matrix' Past Helped With Assassin Film". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
11. (2020-09-23). "Universal Lands Hot One: Stuntman-Turned-Director David Leitch To Helm Untitled Stuntman Drama To Star Ryan Gosling; Entertainment 360, 87North and Gosling Producing".
12. Kroll, Justin. (July 27, 2021). "Netflix Acquires Hot Package 'Fast & Loose' From STXfilms With Will Smith Starring And David Leitch Directing".
13. Kroll, Justin. (August 12, 2022). "Emily Blunt Joins Ryan Gosling In Universal's 'The Fall Guy' Movie; Studio Sets Release Date".
14. Zee, Michaela. (November 14, 2023). "'The Fall Guy' Release Date Moved to May, Stakes Out 'Deadpool 3' Slot".
15. Mike Fleming, Jr. (23 July 2018). "Remake Of Bruce Lee's 'Enter The Dragon' Has 'Deadpool 2's David Leitch in Talks".
16. D'Alessandro, Anthony. (April 22, 2019). "'Hobbs And Shaw' Director David Leitch & Kelly McCormick Ink First Look Deal With Universal".
17. Fleming, Mike Jr.. (30 January 2019). "David Leitch To Helm 'Undying Love;' Graphic Novel Moves To Studio 8".
18. Andreeva, Nellie. (July 15, 2022). "Andrew Garfield To Star As Richard Branson In 'Hot Air' Limited Series; David Leitch To Direct For Universal Int'l Studios".
19. Grobar, Matt. (August 3, 2022). "Idris Elba-David Leitch Pic 'Bang!' In Works As Netflix And Dark Horse Entertainment Extend Partnership". Deadline Hollywood.
20. Kroll, Justin. (November 17, 2022). "Hot Package: Channing Tatum Teams With Simon Kinberg And David Leitch On 'Red Shirt'".
21. Fleming, Mike Jr.. (November 28, 2022). "Amazon Studios Lands Hot Package 'Red Shirt' From Channing Tatum, David Leitch And Simon Kinberg".
22. Kroll, Justin. (January 31, 2024). "Donnie Yen To Star In 'Kung Fu' Film Adaptation For Universal Pictures & 87North". Deadline Hollywood.
23. Fleming, Mike Jr.. (May 3, 2024). "Fifth Season Sets 'Button Man'; 'The Fall Guy's David Leitch & Kelly McCormick In Talks To Turn Famed John Wagner Graphic Novel Into TV Series". Deadline Hollywood.
24. Fleming, Mike Jr.. (January 22, 2025). "David Leitch Paddling Towards 'Ocean's 14'". Deadline Hollywood.
25. Kroll, Justin. (February 25, 2021). "Rawson Marshall Thurber To Direct Netflix Adaptation Of Popular Video Game 'The Division' Starring Jake Gyllenhaal And Jessica Chastain". Deadline Hollywood.
26. Burton, Carson. (April 2, 2022). "Netflix Pumps Brakes on Will Smith Action Film ' Fast & Loose'".
27. Kroll, Justin. (October 7, 2024). "Will Smith And Michael Bay Eyeing Reunion On Netflix Action Pic 'Fast And Loose'". Deadline Hollywood.
28. (February 5, 2024). "David Leitch in Talks to Direct New 'Jurassic World' Movie".
29. Kit, Borys. (January 22, 2024). "New 'Jurassic World' Movie in the Works with David Koepp Writing (Exclusive)".
30. D'Alessandro, Anthony. (February 5, 2024). "'Jurassic World' New Movie Eyes Summer 2025 Release". Deadline.
31. Couch, Aaron. (2024-02-09). "'Jurassic World' Loses Director David Leitch".
32. (2024-02-05). "New 'Jurassic World' Movie At Universal Circling David Leitch To Direct–The Dish".
33. Kit, Borys. (February 20, 2024). "New 'Jurassic World' Movie Enlists Director Gareth Edwards".
34. D'Alessandro, Anthony. (2025-05-07). "David Leitch's Action Pic 'How To Rob A Bank' Steals Labor Day Weekend 2026 Release Date".
35. (May 7, 2025). "David Leitch's Action Pic 'How To Rob A Bank' Steals Labor Day Weekend 2026 Release Date".
36. (December 3, 2019). "Snowbrawl – Impressive iPhone 11 Pro Short Movie by David Leitch". Cinema5D.
37. (January 27, 2008). "List of Screen Actors Guild Award Nominees and Winners". [[The New York Times]].
38. (23 November 2020). "David Leitch". [[The Recording Academy]].