Akiva Goldsman
{{Short description|American screenwriter, director and producer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Akiva Goldsman
| image = Akiva Goldsman by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Goldsman at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con
| birthname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|7|7}}
| birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S.
| othername =
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Director
- producer
- writer
}}
| yearsactive = 1994–present
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Rebecca Spikings|2004|2010|end=d.}}
- {{marriage|Joann Richter
|2014}}
}}
| children = 2
| awards = Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
}}
Akiva Goldsman (born July 7, 1962) is an American screenwriter, producer, and director.
Goldsman's filmography as a screenwriter includes The Client; Batman Forever and its sequel Batman & Robin; I, Robot; I Am Legend; Cinderella Man, and numerous rewrites that are both credited and uncredited. He also wrote more than a dozen episodes for the science fiction television series Fringe.
In 2002, Goldsman received the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and the Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay for the 2001 film A Beautiful Mind, which also won the Academy Award for Best Picture. In 2006, Goldsman re-teamed with A Beautiful Mind director Ron Howard to adapt Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code for Howard's film. He also wrote the screenplay for its 2009 sequel Angels & Demons.
Goldsman is also known for co-developing the DC Comics TV series Titans and the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Picard, a sequel to Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Nemesis. He is also the co-creator of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series.
Early life
Goldsman was born in New York City to Jewish parents and raised in Brooklyn Heights. His parents, Tev Goldsman and Mira Rothenberg, were both clinical child psychologists who ran a group home for emotionally disturbed children.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-mar-10-lv-mind10-story.html|title=A Beautiful Journey to Professional Nirvana|website=Los Angeles Times |date=March 10, 2002}} He graduated from Saint Ann's School, also in Brooklyn Heights, where he says he made many friends with whom he later worked in the entertainment industry. He received his bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University and attended the graduate fiction-writing program at New York University.
Career
= 1994–2000: Early career and breakthrough =
Goldsman’s first major breakthrough in feature film screenwriting came in 1994 with The Client, a legal thriller directed by Joel Schumacher. The film, based on John Grisham’s 1993 novel of the same name, starred Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones. The Client was a box-office success and received positive reviews from critics.{{Cite web |title=The Client |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl575309313/weekend/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Box Office Mojo}}{{Cite web |title=The Client {{!}} Cast and Crew {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/client/cast-and-crew |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}
In 1995, Goldsman wrote the screenplay for Batman Forever, marking his second collaboration with Schumacher. The film was produced by Tim Burton and starred Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, and Chris O'Donnell.{{Cite web |title=Batman Forever {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_forever |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}} Batman Forever was a commercial success, grossing over $330 million worldwide and becoming the sixth-highest-grossing film of 1995.{{Cite web |title=Batman Forever |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0112462/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Box Office Mojo}} The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics, though its critical reception did not impact its strong box office performance.{{Cite web |title=Batman Forever - Movie Reviews {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_forever/reviews |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}
In 1996, Goldsman collaborated for a third time with director Schumacher on A Time to Kill, a legal drama based on John Grisham’s 1989 novel of the same name. The film featured a cast that included Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey, and Kevin Spacey, with Donald and Kiefer Sutherland in supporting roles and Octavia Spencer making her film debut. A Time to Kill was a commercial success and received generally mixed to positive reviews from critics.{{Cite web |title=A Time to Kill |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3933505025/weekend/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Box Office Mojo}}{{Cite web |title=A Time to Kill {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1072381-time_to_kill |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}
In 1997, Goldsman collaborated with Schumacher for a fourth time on the superhero film Batman & Robin. The film starred George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman, and Alicia Silverstone. Unlike their previous collaborations, the film underperformed relative to expectations at the box office.{{Cite web |title=Batman & Robin |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0118688/?ref_=bo_se_r_1 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Box Office Mojo}} While it roughly broke even, the film received overwhelmingly negative reviews from both critics and audiences and is widely regarded as one of the worst films ever made.{{Cite web |title=Batman & Robin {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1077027-batman_and_robin |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Batman & Robin is the silliest superhero blockbuster, but is it really the worst? |url=https://www.avclub.com/batman-robin-is-the-silliest-superhero-blockbuster-b-1826352841 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=AV Club |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Nate |last2=movies |first2=a Vulture senior writer covering |last3=Culture |first3=Pop |date=2014-10-14 |title=A Brief History of George Clooney Apologizing for Being a Bad Batman |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/10/george-clooney-batman-apologies.html |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Vulture |language=en}} Despite the film’s poor reception, Warner Bros. initially planned a sequel and offered Goldsman the opportunity to write it with Schumacher set to direct. However, Goldsman declined, and after failed attempts to develop the sequel with another writer, Warner Bros. ultimately canceled the project.{{Cite web |last=Mallory |first=Michael |date=1997-03-05 |title=Holy caped caper, IV |url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/holy-caped-caper-iv-1117343043/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
In 1998, Goldsman wrote the screenplay for the sci-fi action-adventure film Lost in Space, directed by Stephen Hopkins. Based on the Irwin Allen television series of the same name, the film starred William Hurt, Matt LeBlanc, Gary Oldman, and Heather Graham. While Lost in Space received mostly negative reviews from critics, it performed moderately well at the box office.{{Cite web |title=Lost in Space {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lost_in_space |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}} It debuted at number one, ending the 15-week streak of James Cameron's Titanic at the top of the box office.{{Cite web |title=Lost in Space |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0120738/?ref_=bo_se_r_1 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Box Office Mojo}}{{Cite news |date=1998-04-08 |title='Titanic' had lost its space |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-titanic-had/107889012/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |pages=44}}
That same year, Goldsman co-wrote the screenplay for the fantasy drama Practical Magic alongside Robin Swicord and Adam Brooks. Directed by Griffin Dunne, the film starred Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, and Aidan Quinn and was based on Alice Hoffman’s novel of the same name.{{Citation |last=Dunne |first=Griffin |title=Practical Magic |date=1998-10-16 |type=Comedy, Drama, Fantasy |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120791/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1 |access-date=2025-03-01 |others=Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing |publisher=DiNovi Pictures, Fortis Films, Stargate Studios}} The film received mostly negative reviews from critics and had an underwhelming box office performance.{{Cite web |title=Practical Magic {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/practical_magic |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Practical Magic |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0120791/?ref_=bo_se_r_1 |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=Box Office Mojo}} However, it has since developed a cult following.{{Cite magazine |last=Walsh |first=Savannah |date=2023-10-06 |title=How 'Practical Magic' Pissed Off a Real-Life Witch |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/10/how-practical-magic-pissed-off-a-real-life-witch |access-date=2025-03-01 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}
= 2000–2010: Oscar win =
In 2001, Goldsman wrote the screenplay for A Beautiful Mind, a biographical drama based on the life of mathematician John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics known for his contributions to game theory. Directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe as Nash, the film depicts Nash’s time as a Princeton student and his struggles with schizophrenia.{{Cite web |last1=Thapa |first1=Shaurya |last2=Russell |first2=Tom |date=2023-05-16 |title=A Beautiful Mind: Everything The Movie Changed From Real Life |url=https://screenrant.com/beautiful-mind-every-change-movie-true-story/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} The film received eight nominations and won four, including Best Picture at the 74th Academy Awards. Goldsman received the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, marking his first Oscar nomination and win.{{Cite web |date=2002-03-25 |title='Beautiful' Historic Night |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-mar-25-et-oscars25-story.html |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}
In 2008, Goldsman joined the first season crew of the Fox horror/mystery series Fringe as writer, director, and consulting producer. The first episode Goldsman directed and wrote was "Bad Dreams".{{cite web |title=IMDB Filmography of Akiva Goldsman |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0326040/filmoseries#tt1119644 |website=IMDb}}{{cite news |date=September 2009 |title=Fringe: The Definitive and Exhaustive Chat with John Noble |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/09/fringe-the-definitive-and-exhaustive-chat-with-john-noble.html |work=Los Angeles Times}} In its fifth season, Goldsman remained a consulting producer.
= 2010–2020: Expansion into franchises and genre films =
He produced the Universal Pictures feature Lone Survivor, from writer/director Peter Berg, based on the book Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell. It tells the story of Luttrell's Navy SEAL team in 2005 Afghanistan, on a mission to kill a terrorist leader. It starred Mark Wahlberg, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster and Taylor Kitsch, and was released in 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/08/13/eric-bana-circling-lone-survivor-thesp-in-talks-to-join-case-of-peter-berg-helmed-seal-drama/|title=Eric Bana circling 'Lone Survivor': Thesp in talks to join case of Peter Berg-helmed SEAL drama|first=Justin|last=Kroll|work=Chicago Tribune|date=August 13, 2012|access-date=August 14, 2012}}
In 2014, Goldsman made his feature film directorial debut with Winter’s Tale, a film adaptation of Mark Helprin’s novel. The film starred Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe, Jessica Brown Findlay, Jennifer Connelly, Will Smith, and William Hurt.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/08/william-hurt-joins-akiva-goldsmans-winters-tale-310242/|title=William Hurt Joins Akiva Goldsman's 'Winter's Tale'|last=Fleming|first=Mike|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 1, 2012|access-date=August 8, 2012}} Warner Bros. originally optioned the novel for Goldsman, but its complexity and his other projects delayed progress. Following the passing of his wife in 2010, Goldsman found renewed inspiration in the story, prompting him to resume writing and ultimately direct the film himself.{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Glenn Whipp Los Angeles |title=Goldsman focused on 'Winter's Tale' anew after wife died |url=https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/2014/02/23/goldsman-focused-on-winters-tale-anew-after-wife-died/30655721007/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=Daytona Beach News-Journal Online |language=en-US}}
To bring the project to fruition, Goldsman sought support from industry connections and contributed personal funds to the production.{{Cite magazine |last=Smith |first=Krista |date=2014-02-12 |title=Akiva Goldsman on Winter's Tale: "It's Saved My Life" |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/02/akiva-goldsman-winters-tale |access-date=2025-03-01 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=EDITOR |date=2014-02-03 |title=Akiva Goldsman - Winter's Tale |url=https://www.icgmagazine.com/web/exposure-akiva-goldsman/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=ICG Magazine |language=en-US}} With Warner Bros. cutting the budget in half, he adjusted the screenplay by streamlining the novel’s fantasy elements and love story. Despite production challenges, including setbacks from Hurricane Sandy and the bankruptcy of the film’s visual effects company, Goldsman completed the project. He described Winter’s Tale as an exploration of finding meaning, hope, and connection in life’s hardships, themes he hoped would resonate with audiences. The film was released on February 14, 2014.
In 2017, Goldsman also directed the horror thriller film Stephanie (2017){{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/frank-grillo-to-star-in-akiva-goldsmans-horror-thriller-stephanie-exclusive/|title=Frank Grillo to Star in Akiva Goldsman's Horror-Thriller 'Stephanie'|last=Fleming|first=Mike|work=The Wrap|date=January 27, 2015|access-date=January 27, 2015}} with Frank Grillo in the leading role.{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/87387/frank-grillo-court-stephanie/|title=Frank Grillo to Court Stephanie|last=Fleming|first=Mike|work=Dread Central|date=January 27, 2015|access-date=January 27, 2015}}
In 2015, Paramount Pictures announced that Goldsman would head a team of writers and filmmakers to create a multifilm cinematic universe branching out from Hasbro's Transformers franchise.{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=2015-03-27 |title=Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output |url=https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
He co-wrote and produced the film adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower series, released on August 4, 2017, which was one of Goldsman's post-Apotheosis films.{{cite web |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3356059/sony-sets-date-stephen-kings-dark-tower/ |title=Sony Sets a Date For Stephen King's 'The Dark Tower' |work=Bloody Disgusting |date=January 27, 2015 |access-date=January 27, 2015}}
In July 2017, Akiva Goldsman signed a two-year first-look deal with Paramount Pictures for his production company, Weed Road, after previously working with Warner Bros for many years. As part of the agreement, Goldsman planned to produce an adaptation of Tom Clancy’s novel Rainbow Six, with Josh Appelbaum and Corin Nemec attached as screenwriters. The deal also included Goldsman’s involvement in developing adaptations of the Ologies series of fantasy books, which include Alienology, Dragonology, Monsterology, and Vampireology.{{Cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=2017-07-12|title=Akiva Goldsman Signs First-Look Deal With Paramount, Leaves Warner Bros.|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/akiva-goldsman-deal-paramount-1202493049/|access-date=2020-12-30|website=Variety|language=en-US}}
Goldsman was revealed in September 2018 to have been on the writing staff for Star Trek: Picard, a series focusing on the later years of Captain Jean-Luc Picard.{{cite web|url=https://www.twitter.com/SirPatStew/status/1044244216677912576|title=The journey has begun. Kirsten Beyer, Michael Chabon, Akiva Goldsman, Diandra Pendleton-Thompson, James Duff, and yours truly. #StarTrek|last=Stewart|first=Patrick|date=September 24, 2018|access-date=September 24, 2018}} In 2020, he was signed as creator and co-showrunner of the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
= 2020–present: Recent work =
In February 2025, it was announced that Goldsman was developing a new television universe at Legendary Television, featuring three reimagined sci-fi series originally created by Irwin Allen. The project is expected to include updated versions of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Land of the Giants, and The Time Tunnel, drawing inspiration from Allen’s original works.{{Cite web |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=2025-02-25 |title=Akiva Goldsman To Reimagine 3 Classic Irwin Allen Sci-Fi Titles For TV With Legendary Television |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/akiva-goldsman-irwin-allen-sci-fi-legendary-television-1236297827/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Goldsman's first wife, film producer Rebecca Spikings-Goldsman, died of a heart attack on July 6, 2010, at the age of 42.{{cite news |title=Producer Spikings-Goldsman dies of heart attack |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118021467.html?categoryId=25&cs=1|work=Variety |date=July 7, 2010 |access-date=August 1, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100715211838/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118021467.html?categoryid=25&cs=1| archive-date= July 15, 2010 | url-status= live}} Rebecca was the daughter of producer Barry Spikings.
In 2012, Akiva met his second wife, Joann Richter. Married in 2014, they now have two daughters. The family divides its time between Los Angeles and New York.http://www.zimbio.com/Akiva+Goldsman+Joann+Goldsman/pictures/pro http://guestofaguest.com/directory/akiva-goldsman/217301
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Title ! Director ! Producer ! Writer ! Notes |
| rowspan="2" | 1994
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |
| Silent Fall
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |
| 1995
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |
| 1996
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | Nominated - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Written Film grossing over $100 million |
| 1997
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | Nominated - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay |
| rowspan="2" | 1998
| {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |
| Practical Magic
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |
| 2001
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay |
| 2004
| I, Robot | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |
| 2005
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | Nominated - BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay |
| 2006
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |
| 2007
| {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |
| 2009
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |
| 2014
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
| 2015
| The Divergent Series: Insurgent | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |
| 2016
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |
| rowspan="4" |2017
| Rings | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |
| Transformers: The Last Knight
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{Partial|Story}} | Nominated - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay |
| The Dark Tower
| {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |
| Stephanie
| {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |
| 2026
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |
| style="width:100%;" |
| style="vertical-align:top;"
| style="width:40%;"| Producer only
| style="width:60%;"| Executive producer
| style="width:50%;"| |
=Television=
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Title ! Director ! Executive ! Writer ! Notes |
| 2008-2013
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |1 episode (director); |
| 2017
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | 3 episodes (writer); |
| 2018–2019
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | 2 episodes (writer); |
| 2018–2020
| {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | |
| 2020–2022
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | 5 episodes (writer); |
| 2022{{Cite news|last=Sperling|first=Nicole|date=2021-08-01|title=Can Paramount+ Succeed? One Producer Hopes to Make It So.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/01/business/media/alex-kurtzman-paramount-cbs-star-trek.html|access-date=2021-08-05|issn=0362-4331}}
|Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |1 episode (writer); |
| 2023
| {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | Creator |
=Acting credits=
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Title ! Role |
| 2008
| Hancock | Executive |
| 2009
| Vulcan Council Member |
| 2013
| Starfleet Admiral |
| 2021
| Unknown Dimension: The Story of Paranormal Activity |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
Further reading
- {{cite magazine| first=Christopher | last=Thane | title=Swimming with sharks | journal=Fade In |date=November 1999 | volume=5 | issue=3 | pages=17}}
- {{cite magazine| first=Christian | last=Divine | title=Peace of mind | journal=Creative Screenwriting |date=January 2002 | volume=9 | issue=1 | pages=69, 71–74}}
- {{cite magazine| first=Michael | last=Fleming | title=Good as Goldsman | journal=Fade In |date=June 2006 | volume=9 | issue=2 | pages=[50]–52}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|326040}}
{{Akiva Goldsman}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Akiva Goldsman
|list =
{{AcademyAwardBestAdaptedScreenplay 2001-2020}}
{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{GoldenGlobeBestScreenplayMotionPicture 2001-2020}}
{{USC Scripter Awards — Film}}
{{Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Goldsman, Akiva}}
Category:American male television writers
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