David Leitch (filmmaker)

David Leitch (; born November 16, 1975) is an American filmmaker, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and actor. He made his directorial debut on the action film ''John Wick'' (2014) with Chad Stahelski, though only Stahelski was credited. He later also directed the films ''Atomic Blonde'' (2017), ''Deadpool 2'' (2018), ''Hobbs & Shaw'' (2019), '' Bullet Train'' (2022), and ''The Fall Guy'' (2024).

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''. 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)
* '' Ballerina Overdrive'' (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

External links

*

David Leitch interviewed at Kung Fu Cinema

David Leitch as Hollywood.com

David Leitch at TV Guild

David Leitch as Fandango

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leitch, David
Living people
1975 births
Place of birth missing (living people)
American male film actors
Film directors from Wisconsin
American stunt performers
American male television actors
American parodists
American comedy film directors
Parody film directors
American action film directors
21st-century American male actors
People from Kohler, Wisconsin
Film producers from Wisconsin