David S. Goyer

American screenwriter, film director, novelist, and comic book writerTemplate:SHORTDESC:American screenwriter, film director, novelist, and comic book writer

**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 *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice* (2016). He has also directed four films: *Zig Zag* (2002), *Blade: Trinity* (2004), *The Invisible* (2007) and *The Unborn* (2009). He is the creator of the science fiction television series *Foundation*.

Goyer was also co-writer of the video games *Call of Duty: Black Ops*, *Call of Duty: Black Ops II*, and *Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War*. 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. Goyer is an alumnus of Huron High School and the University of Southern California, graduating from the School of Cinema-Television in 1988.

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 a new Isuzu Trooper, which was stolen the very first night he drove it home.

## Career

A professed comic book fanatic who often wrote to letter columns,Template:R/ref Goyer has written or co-written several screenplays based on comic book characters and series, including *Batman*, *Superman*, *Ghost Rider* and *Blade*. Had also 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 Fall 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 comic-book films explore the consequences of becoming a symbolic figure, a topic he has long been interested in. In 2011, Goyer wrote a short story titled "The Incident" in which Superman renounces his United States citizenship. 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 also 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 currently adapting the first novel for the big screen.

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. The show ran for three seasons and received generally favorable reviews, including an 81% rating from Rotten Tomatoes. 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.

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

In December 2013, it was announced that he would work with Joseph Gordon-Levitt on a television series adaptation of Neil Gaiman's comic book *The Sandman*, in which Goyer co-wrote the pilot and serves as executive producer. *The Sandman* will be released on Netflix in 2022. 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. 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." In 2015, soon after embracing independent producing, Goyer won a competitive situation to produce the feature version of *Miles*. Furthermore, he executive-produced Nate Parker's feature *Birth of a Nation*, which sold for a record $17.5 million at Sundance, before sweeping the festival's awards.

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. 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" In January 2016, acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro signed on to direct the feature. Goyer co-wrote Warner Bros.' blockbuster *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice* (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 [*sic*] really phenomenal."

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. 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. 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. By February of that year, Goyer dropped out as the film's director and writer. 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.

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.

In the early 2020s, Goyer produced *The Night House*, starring Rebecca Hall, as well as the Scott Derrickson film *Antlers*. *The Night House* premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival; Searchlight purchased the rights to the film, and released it to critical acclaim in August 2021. Goyer also produced the 2021 film *The Tomorrow War*, starring Chris Pratt for Skydance and Amazon. He has officially been signed on as the producer for *The Tomorrow War 2*.

He will next executive produce and serve as showrunner for *Foundation*, which premiered on Apple TV+ on September 24, 2021. Goyer also directed the *Foundation* season finale. The series is based on Isaac Asimov's iconic novels of the same name.

Most recently, Goyer began production on the *Hellraiser* reimagining, for which he is the sole writer and will produce through the Phantom Four banner for Spyglass and Hulu. More recently, his Phantom Four company had signed a deal with Village Roadshow Pictures.

## Works

### Films

**Producer only**

**Uncredited writing roles**

### Novels

* *Heaven's Shadow* (with Michael Cassutt) (2011)
* *Heaven's War* (with Michael Casssutt) (2012)
* *Heaven's Fall* (with Michael Casssutt) (2013)

## References

1. ↑ The Unborn Set Visit: Writer-Director David Goyer. BloodyDisgusting (8 April 2010).
2. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Aushenker, Michael (March 28, 2002). "Man of Action". *Jewish Journal*. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
3. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Pfefferman, Naomi (April 3, 2013). "'Da Vinci' goes rogue in new STARZ historical fantasy". *Jewish Journal*. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
4. ↑ Notable Alumni, USC School of Cinematic Arts.
5. ↑ Archived copy.
6. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Allstetter, Rob (August 1997). "Special Report: Blood on the Big Screen". *Wizard* (72). pp. 122–3.
7. ↑ Trenholm, Richard (2016-03-30). How a 'Batman v Superman' writer predicted Marvel's 'Civil War' 30 years ago (en).
8. ↑ Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship in 'Action Comics' #900 Read More: Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship in 'Action Comics' #900. Comics Alliance.
9. ↑ David Goyer To Adapt His Debut Novel 'Heaven's Shadow' For Film. *Screen Rant*.
10. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Goldberg, Lesley (October 25, 2011). "Starz Orders David Goyer's 'Da Vinci's Demons' To Series". *The Hollywood Reporter*.
11. ↑ Da Vinci's Demons.
12. ↑ David Goyer to Direct 'Count of Monte Cristo' Remake (Exclusive). *The Hollywood Reporter* (18 March 2013).
13. ↑ ‘Man Of Steel’ Sequel Underway With Zack Snyder And David S. Goyer
14. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Goyer Delivers her BAFTA Screenwriters' Lecture". *BAFTA*. September 28, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 5, 2013). "Lava Bear Sets Jason Zada To Helm David Goyer-Hatched 'The Forest': Video". *Deadline Hollywood*. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
16. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Kit, Borys (May 22, 2014). "Focus Picks Up David Goyer Supernatural Thriller 'The Forest'". *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
17. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>McNary, Dave (May 23, 2014). "David Goyer's 'The Forest' Gets North American Distribution". *Variety*. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 2014). David S. Goyer Taps Kevin Turen President As Superhero Vet Takes Indie Turn (en-US).
19. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (4 February 2015). David Goyer Tapped To Produce Feature Version Of Oliver Daly Short 'Miles' (en-US).
20. ↑ Yamato, Jen (12 November 2014). Armie Hammer Joins Nate Parker's Nat Turner Biopic 'The Birth Of A Nation' (en-US).
21. ↑ Hipes, Dominic Patten,Patrick (31 January 2016). 'Birth Of A Nation' Sweeps Sundance Grand Jury & Audience Awards (en-US).
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 David Goyer Joins James Cameron for 'Fantastic Voyage' (Exclusive) (May 2014).
23. ↑ McNary, Dave (7 January 2016). Guillermo del Toro in Talks for 'Fantastic Voyage' Remake (en-US).
24. ↑ Sciretta, Sciretta (July 6, 2017). David Goyer Says His Darth Vader VR Project Will Make You Cry. Slashfilm.
25. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 12, 2017). Warner Bros Sets David Goyer, Justin Rhodes For 'Green Lantern Corps'.
26. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
27. ↑ Marc, Christopher (January 10, 2018). Sony's *Masters Of The Universe* Eyeing April 2018 Production Start. Omega Underground.
28. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
29. ↑ Lang, Brent (February 26, 2019). David S. Goyer's 'Masters of the Universe' Would Have Been a 'Lord of the Rings'-Sized Epic. SlashFilm.
30. ↑ Linda Hamilton Set To Return To Terminator (20 September 2017).
31. ↑ Searchlight Pictures Closing $12 Million WW Rights Deal for Sundance Thriller 'The Night House' (27 January 2020).
32. ↑ The Tomorrow War 2 will answer a big White Spikes question (23 July 2021).
33. ↑ Foundation (24 September 2021).
34. ↑ 'Hellraiser' Revival in the Works with 'Dark Knight' Writer David S. Goyer (6 May 2019).
35. ↑ David Goyer's Phantom Four Films Signs First-Look Deal With Village Roadshow, Sets 'Reincarnation Of Peter Proud' As First Project (en-US) (2021-09-10).

## External links

Template:Commons

* David S. Goyer at IMDb
* David Goyer Interview @ PopImage, Oct.01
* David Goyer Interview @ PopImage, Feb 2000
* The Dialogue: An Interview with Screenwriter David Goyer

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