Rupert Sanders

Early life

Sanders was born in Westminster, London, the eldest son of Thalia (née Garlick) and hospital ophthalmologist Michael Sanders. After a foundation year at Kingston School of Art he graduated with a degree in graphic design from Central St Martins.

Career

Sanders began his commercial production career under Tony Kaye. He had primarily done art direction before Kaye suggested he try out directing. Sanders has directed numerous television advertisements, including The Life for Halo 3: ODST, which won him two Golden Lions at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.

Sanders' first feature film was Snow White and the Huntsman, which was released in the US in early June 2012. The film's budget was $170 million, including an eight-figure marketing expenditure, and it earned $20.3 million on its opening day in the US. To date, the film has grossed $396,592,829 at the box office.

After passing the offer to direct the fifth instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, Sanders directed a film adaptation of science fiction manga franchise Ghost in the Shell, with Avi Arad and Steven Paul producing and Scarlett Johansson starring in the main role. It was released in late March 2017.

In March 2017, Sanders expressed interest in a sequel to Ghost in the Shell. Due to the film's box office failure, talks for a sequel were abandoned.

In June 2018, Sanders was announced to be directing Johansson again in Rub & Tug, a planned biopic about Dante "Tex" Gill and his girlfriend Cynthia Bruno, with Johansson starring as Gill. However, the film has been left in development hell after Johansson stepped down from starring in the film when the transgender community criticised having a female actress play a trans man.

Sanders directed the 2024 reboot film The Crow, with Bill Skarsgård starring as Eric / The Crow.

Personal life

Sanders married model Liberty Ross, sister of musician Atticus Ross, in 2002. They moved to Los Angeles to further Sanders' career. Together they have two children, daughter Skyla and son Tennyson. In July 2012, Us Weekly published photos of Sanders in an intimate embrace and kissing with actress Kristen Stewart, prompting Sanders and Stewart to issue separate public apologies. Ross subsequently filed for divorce from Sanders in January 2013, seeking joint custody, spousal support, and legal fees. The divorce was finalised on 30 May 2014.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music video

References

References

1. Wakelin, Simon. "Rupert Sanders, Omaha Pictures, Los Angeles". Boards.
2. Babb, Francesca. (1 June 2012). "Snow White & the Huntsman Director Rupert Sanders Is Living the Fairy Tale". [[The Guardian]].
3. McClintock, Pamela. (2 June 2012). "Box Office Report: 'Snow White and the Huntsman' Tops Friday With Strong $20.3 Million". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
4. "Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)".
5. Fleming, Mike Jr.. (9 May 2013). "Disney Getting Close On 'Pirates 5' Director; Here's The Short List". [[Deadline Hollywood]].
6. (5 January 2015). "Scarlett Johansson Signs on to Star in DreamWorks' 'Ghost in the Shell' (EXCLUSIVE)". [[Variety (magazine).
7. "Scarlett Johansson Confirmed to Star in Ghost in the Shell".
8. (29 March 2017). "Scarlett Johansson wants a Ghost In The Shell sequel on one condition (exclusive)". Yahoo! Movies.
9. Fleming, Mike Jr.. (2 July 2018). "New Regency Wins 'Rub & Tug'; Rupert Sanders Directs Scarlett Johansson In Joel Silver-Produced Tale Of Pittsburgh Massage Parlor Queen". [[Deadline Hollywood]].
10. Dry, Jude. (18 July 2018). "Don't let Scarlett Johansson dropping out kill Hollywood's first trans studio film — Opinion". [[Salon (website).
11. Kroll, Justin. (2022-04-01). "'The Crow': Bill Skarsgard Tapped To Play Eric Draven In New Reimagining From Rupert Sanders".
12. (24 July 2012). "Kristen Stewart Cheats on Robert Pattinson With Director Rupert Sanders". [[Us Weekly]].
13. (25 July 2012). "Liberty Ross – Kristen Stewart Affair: Who Exactly Is Liberty Ross?". [[Contactmusic.com]].
14. (28 July 2012). "Liberty Ross: 6 Things to Know About Rupert Sanders' Wife". [[ABC News (United States).
15. "Kristen Stewart, Rupert Sanders apologize for affair". CBCNews.
16. "Kristen Stewart's Apology to Robert Pattinson for Cheating". People.
17. (25 July 2012). "Kristen Stewart's Cheating Apology: PR Insider Weighs In". HuffPost.
18. D'Zurilla, Christie. (25 July 2012). "Rupert Sanders apologizes for Kristen Stewart hookup". Los Angeles Times.
19. "Liberty Ross Files for Divorce from Rupert Sanders". People.
20. (30 May 2014). "Liberty Ross and director Rupert Sanders have finalized their divorce". United Press International.