Cary Joji Fukunaga
{{Short description|American filmmaker (born 1977)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Cary Joji Fukunaga
|image = Maniac UK premiere (Fukunaga).jpg
|caption = Fukunaga in 2018
|alt = A picture of Fukunaga as he looks away from the camera
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|07|10}}
|birth_place = Oakland, California, U.S.
|death_date =
|death_place =
|education = {{ubl|UC Santa Cruz|New York University}}
|occupation = {{hlist|Director|producer|screenwriter|cinematographer}}
|years_active = 2003–present
}}
Cary Joji Fukunaga (born July 10, 1977) is an American filmmaker. A director of TV and film, he first came to wide prominence by directing the first season of the HBO series True Detective (2014).{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=2021-09-22 |title=Cary Fukunaga: Working on 'True Detective' Became 'Disheartening' as Nic Pizzolatto Got More Power |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/cary-fukunaga-criticizes-true-detective-creator-nic-pizzolatto-1234666628/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}} He is known for directing critically acclaimed films such as the thriller Sin nombre (2009), the period drama Jane Eyre (2011), the war drama Beasts of No Nation (2015) and the 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die (2021). He also co-wrote the Stephen King adaptation It (2017).
He was the first director of East Asian descent to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, as the director and executive producer of True Detective. He also directed and executive produced the Netflix limited series Maniac (2018), and executive produced and directed several episodes of the Apple TV+ miniseries Masters of the Air (2024).
Early life
Fukunaga was born on July 10, 1977{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Allison P. |title=Beyond the Man-Braids: An Everything Guide to Loving Cary Fukunaga |url=https://www.thecut.com/2014/08/everything-guide-to-loving-cary-fukunaga.html |website=The Cut |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=September 29, 2022 |date=August 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111200411/https://www.thecut.com/2014/08/everything-guide-to-loving-cary-fukunaga.html|archive-date=November 11, 2020}} in Oakland, California. His father, Anthony Shuzo Fukunaga, was a third-generation Japanese American, born in an internment camp during World War II.{{cite web|url=http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/fashion-and-entertainment/movie-reviews/film-captures-the-joy-and-terror-of-immigrants-trip-north-through-mexico.html |title=Film Captures the Joy and Terror of Immigrants' Trip North Through Mexico |work=Creators.com |date=2009 |access-date=August 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827051228/http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/fashion-and-entertainment/movie-reviews/film-captures-the-joy-and-terror-of-immigrants-trip-north-through-mexico.html |archive-date=August 27, 2014 }} His mother, Gretchen May Grufman, is Swedish-American{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Reed|title=Crossing borders with 'Sin Nombre'|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-nombre8-2009mar08-story.html#page=1|access-date=August 26, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 8, 2009|archive-date=September 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901055202/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-nombre8-2009mar08-story.html#page=1|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sf360.org/?pageid=11919 |title=Cary Joji Fukunaga on the (Very) Bay Area Story Behind 'Sin Nombre' |publisher=SF360 |date=March 15, 2009 |first=Judy |last=Stone |access-date=August 26, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114928/http://www.sf360.org/?pageid=11919 |archive-date=August 26, 2014 }} and worked as a dental hygienist, and later as a college history instructor and university assistant professor of history. Fukunaga inherited his interest in history from her.{{cite web |url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/cary-fukunaga-true-detective/ |title=True Director |date=January 2014 |work=Interview Magazine |first=Emma |last=Brown |access-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105135421/http://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/cary-fukunaga-true-detective/ |url-status=live }} His parents eventually divorced. His family often relocated within the San Francisco Bay Area, moving to Berkeley, Albany, Vallejo, Benicia, Sebastopol and back to Oakland.
Fukunaga attended Analy High School.{{cite web | url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/entertainment/8764147-181/analy-high-school-grad-cary?sba=AAS | title=Cary Fukunaga, a graduate of Analy High School in Sebastopol, has been named director of the next James Bond film | access-date=September 30, 2018 | author=Taylor, Dan | date=September 21, 2018 | archive-date=September 24, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924224902/https://www.pressdemocrat.com/entertainment/8764147-181/analy-high-school-grad-cary?sba=AAS | url-status=dead }} He graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1999{{cite web|last1=Rappaport|first1=Scott|title=UCSC alumnus wins 2009 Sundance directing award for first feature film|url=http://news.ucsc.edu/2009/01/2697.html|website=UCSC Newscenter|access-date=August 26, 2014|date=January 25, 2009|archive-date=February 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203204150/http://news.ucsc.edu/2009/01/2697.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Alumnus Wins Film Award |url=http://www.ucop.edu/pathways/ucnotes/september05/santacruz.html|website=UC Notes – Campus News|access-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528161224/http://www.ucop.edu/pathways/ucnotes/september05/santacruz.html|archive-date=May 28, 2010|date=September 2005}} and attended the Grenoble Institute of Political Studies, where he studied geopolitics and international law.{{Cite news|last=Bhattacharji|first=Alex|date=October 10, 2020|title=Director Cary Joji Fukunaga on Directing the Delayed James Bond Film 'No Time to Die'|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/james-bond-cary-joji-fukunaga-interview-no-time-to-die-11602287635|access-date=October 10, 2020|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=October 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010152541/https://www.wsj.com/articles/james-bond-cary-joji-fukunaga-interview-no-time-to-die-11602287635|url-status=live}}
Fukunaga had originally wanted to be a professional snowboarder, but switched to filmmaking in his mid-twenties.{{Cite news|url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/26/true-detective-director-cary-fukunaga-s-journey-from-pro-snowboarder-to-hollywood-s-most-wanted.html|title = 'True Detective' Director Cary Fukunaga's Journey from Pro Snowboarder to Hollywood's Most Wanted|newspaper = The Daily Beast|date = February 26, 2014|last1 = Stern|first1 = Marlow|access-date = August 26, 2014|archive-date = November 5, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151105135043/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/26/true-detective-director-cary-fukunaga-s-journey-from-pro-snowboarder-to-hollywood-s-most-wanted.html|url-status = live}} He got his start as a camera intern and later applied to film school.{{cite news | last = Coombs | first = Molly J. | url = http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/entertainment/movies/jane-eyre-director-cary-fukunaga-and-star-mia-wasikowska-the-blast-interview/ | title = Jane Eyre director Cary Fukunaga and star Mia Wasikowska – The Blast Interview | date = March 12, 2011 | work = Blast | access-date = March 12, 2011 | archive-date = July 8, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110708013308/http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/entertainment/movies/jane-eyre-director-cary-fukunaga-and-star-mia-wasikowska-the-blast-interview/ | url-status = live }} He enrolled in the New York University Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film Program.{{cite web|title=Featured Guest: Cary Fukunaga|url=http://www.filminfocus.com/account/cary_fukunaga|website=Focus Features|access-date=August 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604190522/http://www.filminfocus.com/account/cary_fukunaga|archive-date=June 4, 2011|date=August 21, 2008}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tisch.nyu.edu/object/emmynoms2014.html |title=66th Primetime Emmy® Nominees |publisher=NYU Tisch |access-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114428/https://www.tisch.nyu.edu/object/emmynoms2014.html |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |url-status=dead }}
Career
= Short films =
Fukunaga wrote and directed the short film Victoria para Chino (2004) while at NYU, which screened at the Sundance Film Festival and received a Student Academy Award in 2005.{{cite web|last1=Rappaport|first1=Scott|title=Awards and Honors: Alumnus wins Student Academy Award|url=http://currents.ucsc.edu/04-05/06-27/awards-fukunaga.asp|website=Currents Online|publisher=UC Santa Cruz|access-date=August 26, 2014|location=Vol. 9, No. 42|date=July 10, 2005|archive-date=July 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716093813/http://currents.ucsc.edu/04-05/06-27/awards-fukunaga.asp|url-status=live}} It won an Audience Award for Best Narrative Student Short Film at the 2004 Austin Film Festival, a Best Student Film award at the 2006 Ashland Independent Film Festival, a BAFTA/LA Award for Excellence – Honorable Mention award at the 2005 Aspen Shortsfest, Best Student Film at the 2005 BendFilm Festival, Best Short Film and an Audience Award for Best Short Film at the 2005 Gen Art Film Festival, Best Short Film at the 2005 Milan International Film Festival, and the Jury Prize for Best Student Short at the 2004 Woodstock Film Festival.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
Fukunaga wrote and directed the short films Kofi (2003) and Sleepwalking in the Rift (2012).{{Cite news|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0404181/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_10|title=Kofi.|work=IMDb|access-date=August 2, 2018|language=en|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004194109/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0404181/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_10|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2927250/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_5|title=Sleepwalking in the Rift.|work=IMDb|access-date=August 2, 2018|language=en|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004194058/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2927250/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_5|url-status=live}} He wrote and directed a segment in the omnibus film Chinatown Film Project (2009).{{Cite news|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1512746/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_7|title=Chinatown Film Project.|work=IMDb|access-date=August 2, 2018|language=en|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004194211/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1512746/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_7|url-status=live}}
= Feature films =
Sin Nombre
Fukunaga made his feature film debut with Sin Nombre, which he wrote and directed. It received positive reviews{{cite news|last1=McCarthy|first1=Todd|title=Review: 'Sin Nombre' – A big new talent arrives on the scene with "Sin Nombre."|url=https://variety.com/2009/film/reviews/sin-nombre-1200474186/|access-date=August 26, 2014|work=Variety|date=March 12, 2009|archive-date=February 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203204949/http://variety.com/2009/film/reviews/sin-nombre-1200474186/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=Logan|title=Sin Nombre Director Cary Fukunaga on Poverty Porn and Why His Next Film Might Be a Musical|url=https://www.vulture.com/2009/03/sin_nombre_director_cary_fukun.html|access-date=August 26, 2014|work=Vulture|date=March 23, 2009|archive-date=September 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918045548/http://www.vulture.com/2009/03/sin_nombre_director_cary_fukun.html|url-status=live}} and a number of awards, including the Directing award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and a New Director's Award for Fukunaga at the 2009 Edinburgh International Film Festival. In 2009, it won Best Foreign Language Film awards from the Austin Film Critics Association, the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards, the Florida Film Critics Circle Awards, the San Diego Film Critics Society Awards (2nd place for Best Foreign Language Film), and the Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards. Cinematographer Adriano Goldman won the Cinematography award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival; and at the 2009 Stockholm Film Festival, the film won a Best Actor award for Edgar Flores, and Best Directorial Debut and FIPRESCI Prizes for Fukunaga. It also brought Fukunaga the 2010 Premios ACE award for Cinema – Best First Work.
The film was nominated for Best Feature, Best Director and Best Cinematography at the 2010 Independent Spirit Awards, and was nominated by the 2009 British Independent Film Awards (Best Foreign Film), the 2010 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards (Best Foreign Language Film), the 2009 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards (Most Promising Filmmaker; Best Foreign Language Film), the 2010 Image Awards (Outstanding Foreign Motion Picture), the Bronze Horse at the 2009 Stockholm Film Festival and the 2009 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize.
Jane Eyre
In 2010, Fukunaga directed a new film adaptation of Jane Eyre starring Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell and Judi Dench. It was released in 2011 and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Costume Design for Michael O'Connor, and a 2012 Goya Award for Best European Film.
It was nominated for a 2012 BAFTA Award (Best Costume Design), a 2012 Broadcast Film Critics Association Award (Best Costume Design), the 2012 Costume Designers Guild Awards (Excellence in Period Film), the 2012 Evening Standard British Film Awards (Best Technical Achievement), the 2011 Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards (Best Costume Design), the 2011 Satellite Awards (Best Costume Design).
The 2012 Australian Film Institute awards as well as the 2011 British Independent Film Awards nominated Mia Wasikowska for a Best Actress award. Screenwriter Moira Buffini (as well as author Charlotte Brontë) were nominated for a 2012 USC Scripter Award.
Beasts of No Nation
Fukunaga directed, wrote and filmed Beasts of No Nation, based on the novel of the same name by Uzodinma Iweala, in which Idris Elba stars as Commandant, a lead character.{{cite news|last1=Prudom|first1=Laura|title='True Detective' Emmy Winner Cary Fukunaga Talks HBO Drama|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/true-detective-emmy-win-cary-fukunaga-1201290559/|access-date=August 26, 2014|work=Variety|date=August 25, 2014|archive-date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622140228/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/true-detective-emmy-win-cary-fukunaga-1201290559/|url-status=live}} The movie was picked up by Netflix for a reported $12 million as part of an effort to expand into original films.{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title=Netflix Picking Up Cary Fukunaga's African Drama 'Beasts of No Nation'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-picking-up-cary-fukunagas-778703|access-date=March 3, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 2, 2015|archive-date=November 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130223836/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-picking-up-cary-fukunagas-778703|url-status=live}} On November 25, 2015, Fukunaga was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Director and Best Cinematography for his work on Beasts of No Nation, and the film received a nomination for Best Feature.{{cite web|title='Carol,' 'Spotlight,' 'Beasts of No Nation' lead Spirit Awards nominations|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-spirit-awards-nominations-20151124-story.html|website=Chicago Tribune|date=November 24, 2015|access-date=November 25, 2015|archive-date=November 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125220010/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-spirit-awards-nominations-20151124-story.html|url-status=live}}
No Time to Die
On September 20, 2018, it was announced that Fukunaga would direct the 25th James Bond film, replacing Danny Boyle.{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/09/james-bond-25-director-cary-joji-fukunaga-daniel-craig-007-1202467247/ |title='Bond 25' Gets Cary Joji Fukunaga As New Director For 007 Daniel Craig |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr |date=20 September 2018 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en |access-date=25 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127032120/https://deadline.com/2018/09/james-bond-25-director-cary-joji-fukunaga-daniel-craig-007-1202467247/ |archive-date=27 November 2018 |url-status=live}} He is the first American filmmaker to direct an official Bond film for EON Productions. Fukunaga was originally considered to direct Spectre before Sam Mendes returned.{{efn|The American directors John Huston and Robert Parrish were two of six directors who worked on the 1967 adaptation of Casino Royale, and Irvin Kershner directed the 1983 film Never Say Never Again. However, neither film was produced by Eon Productions or part of the EON series canon.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}}} The film, eventually titled No Time to Die, was co-written by Fukunaga alongside Neal Purvis and Robert Wade and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and was eventually released in October 2021 in the United States.{{Cite web|date=21 January 2021|title=James Bond: 'No Time To Die' Release Date Delayed to Fall|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/james-bond-pic-no-time-to-die-delays-release-to-fall|access-date=22 January 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122005029/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/james-bond-pic-no-time-to-die-delays-release-to-fall?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter|url-status=live}}
= Television =
Fukunaga directed all eight episodes of the first season of the 2014 HBO TV series True Detective, which was written and created by novelist and screenwriter Nic Pizzolatto.{{cite news|last1=St. John|first1=Allen|title='Let The Actors Do Their Work:' A Conversation With 'True Detective' Director Cary Joji Fukunaga|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/allenstjohn/2014/02/09/let-the-actors-do-their-work-a-conversation-with-true-detective-director-cary-joji-fukunaga/|access-date=August 26, 2014|work=Forbes|date=February 9, 2014|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713175217/https://www.forbes.com/sites/allenstjohn/2014/02/09/let-the-actors-do-their-work-a-conversation-with-true-detective-director-cary-joji-fukunaga/|url-status=live}} The series stars Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson and Michelle Monaghan. Fukunaga served as an Executive Producer on the show. The series received critical praise and was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Directing for Fukunaga, who won. For the second season of True Detective, Fukunaga did not return as director, but continued to serve as executive producer.{{cite news|last1=Couch|first1=Aaron|title=Emmys: Cary Fukunaga Wins Outstanding Directing for 'True Detective'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/emmy-awards-2014-cary-fukunaga-727731|access-date=August 26, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 25, 2014|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713200441/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/emmy-awards-2014-cary-fukunaga-727731|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Finnegan |first1=Leah |title=Cary Fukunaga: Hottest Straight Guy at the Emmys |url=http://defamer.gawker.com/cary-fukunaga-hottest-straight-guy-at-the-emmys-1626777773 |website=Gawker |access-date=August 26, 2014 |date=August 25, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827173709/http://defamer.gawker.com/cary-fukunaga-hottest-straight-guy-at-the-emmys-1626777773 |archive-date=August 27, 2014 }}{{cite news|last1=Dobbins|first1=Amanda|title=Are You into Cary Fukunaga Yet? You Should Be|url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/03/are-you-into-cary-fukunaga-yet-you-should-be.html|access-date=August 26, 2014|work=Vulture|date=March 5, 2014|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713170833/http://www.vulture.com/2014/03/are-you-into-cary-fukunaga-yet-you-should-be.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Dobbins|first1=Amanda|title=And Now, Cary Fukunaga's Beautiful Man-Braids|url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/08/cary-fukunagas-man-braids-emmys.html|access-date=August 26, 2014|work=Vulture|date=August 25, 2014|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713164627/http://www.vulture.com/2014/08/cary-fukunagas-man-braids-emmys.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Nessif|first1=Bruna|title=Oh, Hello, Cary Joji Fukunaga! Internet Gushes Over True Detective Director After 2014 Emmys Win|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/572994/oh-hello-cary-joji-fukunaga-the-internet-gushes-over-true-detective-directer-after-win-at-the-2014-emmys|access-date=August 26, 2014|work=E! Online|date=August 25, 2014|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713210402/https://www.eonline.com/news/572994/oh-hello-cary-joji-fukunaga-the-internet-gushes-over-true-detective-directer-after-win-at-the-2014-emmys|url-status=live}}
Fukunaga was originally slated to direct the 2018 TNT TV series The Alienist.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/04/cary-fukunaga-anonymous-content-the-alienist-paramount-true-detective-forrest-gump-1201409741/|title='The Alienist' TV Series: Cary Fukunaga Aboard To Direct & Produce – Deadline|author=Ali Jaafar|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 14, 2015|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=February 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228161131/https://deadline.com/2015/04/cary-fukunaga-anonymous-content-the-alienist-paramount-true-detective-forrest-gump-1201409741/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/the-alienist-lands-big-bucks-series-order-from-tnt-1201494487/|title='The Alienist' Lands Big Bucks Series Order From TNT|author=Cynthia Littleton|work=Variety|date=May 13, 2015|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-date=January 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107061100/https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/the-alienist-lands-big-bucks-series-order-from-tnt-1201494487/|url-status=live}} However, due to scheduling conflicts he was replaced by Jakob Verbruggen, although he retained a "created by" credit and remained as an executive producer.{{cite web|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/alienist-jakob-verbruggen-replaces-cary-fukunaga-director-tnt-pilot/|title=The Alienist: Jakob Verbuggen Replaces Cary Fukunaga as Director of TNT Series|access-date=September 30, 2016|date=September 26, 2016|first=Cindy|last=McLehman|work=TVseriesfinale.com|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004194216/https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/alienist-jakob-verbruggen-replaces-cary-fukunaga-director-tnt-pilot/|url-status=live}} Fukunaga served as executive producer for the follow-up series to The Alienist, The Angel of Darkness, based on the novel of the same name.{{Cite news|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=August 16, 2018|title=TNT Orders 'Alienist' Sequel 'The Angel Of Darkness' Limited Series|language=en-US|newspaper=Deadline|url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/tnt-orders-alienist-sequel-the-angel-of-darkness-limited-series-1202446971/|access-date=August 16, 2018|archive-date=August 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818121338/https://deadline.com/2018/08/tnt-orders-alienist-sequel-the-angel-of-darkness-limited-series-1202446971/|url-status=live}}
Fukunaga directed all ten episodes of the dark comedy series Maniac for Netflix.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/emma-stone-jonah-hill-netflix-series-maniac-production-start-date-cary-fukunaga-direct-1201898810/|title=Emma Stone-Jonah Hill Series 'Maniac' For Netflix & Paramount TV Gets Production Start Date With Cary Fukunaga Directing|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=February 1, 2017|newspaper=Deadline|access-date=February 12, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=July 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719142954/https://deadline.com/2017/01/emma-stone-jonah-hill-netflix-series-maniac-production-start-date-cary-fukunaga-direct-1201898810/|url-status=live}} It premiered on September 21, 2018.{{Cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/762071/Emma-Stone-Jonah-Hill-set-to-reunite-new-Netflix-series-Maniac-Superbad|title=Emma Stone and Jonah Hill set to reunite in new Netflix series Maniac|last=Meechan|first=Lauren|date=February 2, 2017|work=Express.co.uk|access-date=April 19, 2017|language=en|archive-date=February 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220171715/http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/762071/Emma-Stone-Jonah-Hill-set-to-reunite-new-Netflix-series-Maniac-Superbad|url-status=live}}{{Cite tweet|user=maniacnetflix|number=1023636776856866816|title=A Netflix Limited Series from Cary Joji Fukunaga. September 21.|date=July 29, 2018|author=Maniac|access-date=August 1, 2018|language=en}}
=Writing and producing=
Fukunaga has written most of the films he has directed. The short films that he has written the screenplays for include Kofi (2003) and Victoria para chino (2004). He wrote the screenplay to his feature film, Sin Nombre (2009), as well as his segment for the omnibus film Chinatown Film Project (2009).
Through his production company, Parliament of Owls,{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/exec/cary-fukunaga|title=Cary Fukunaga|website=Variety|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-date=December 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203063312/http://variety.com/exec/cary-fukunaga/|url-status=live}} Fukunaga has produced or served as executive producer on most of the projects he has directed. He was the executive producer for his short films Kofi (2003) and Victoria para chino (2004). He was an executive producer on Andrew Okpeaha MacLean's feature film thriller, On the Ice, which won "Best Debut Film" and the Crystal Bear (Best Feature Film for the Generation 14+) at the 2011 Berlin Film Festival, among other awards.
Fukunaga served as an executive producer for the HBO series he directed, True Detective. Warner Bros. chose Fukunaga to develop its adaptations of Stephen King's It (2017 and 2019), the first of which was initially due to start shooting in summer 2015.{{cite news|last1=Buchanan|first1=Kyle|title=Cary Fukunaga Will Shoot Stephen King's It Next Summer|url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/12/fukunaga-to-shoot-stephen-kings-it-next-summer.html|access-date=December 5, 2014|work=Vulture|date=December 5, 2014|archive-date=December 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205214150/http://www.vulture.com/2014/12/fukunaga-to-shoot-stephen-kings-it-next-summer.html|url-status=live}} Fukunaga was set to direct the first film and was expected to co-write the second.{{cite web|last1=Squires|first1=John|title=Re-Adaptation of Stephen King's It Looking for New Pennywise|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/91790/re-adaptation-stephen-kings-looking-new-pennywise|website=Dread Central|access-date=March 3, 2015|date=March 3, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305213229/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/91790/re-adaptation-stephen-kings-looking-new-pennywise/|url-status=live}} Three weeks before production was slated to begin, Fukunaga left the project.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/25/cary-fukunaga-leaves-new-lines-it-which-indefinitely-delayed|title=Cary Fukunaga leaves Stephen King adaptation 'It'|last=Robinson|first=Will|date=May 25, 2015|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=June 18, 2015|archive-date=June 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621233356/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/25/cary-fukunaga-leaves-new-lines-it-which-indefinitely-delayed|url-status=live}}
=Cinematography and other work=
Fukunaga served as a cinematographer on a number of short film projects, including Handmade{{cite web|title=Cary Fukunaga|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1560977/?ref_=nmawd_awd_nm#cinematographer|website=IMDb|access-date=August 17, 2018|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004194101/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1560977/?ref_=nmawd_awd_nm#cinematographer|url-status=live}} (2013; documentary short directed by Rob Meyer), Sikumi (2008; also known as Sikumi (On the Ice) about an Inuk hunter on the frozen Arctic Ocean, directed by Andrew Okpeaha MacLean), Team Queen (2007) (a short film directed by Leah Meyerhoff), the feature documentary Death of Two Sons (2006; directed by Micah Schaffer), the short films Clear Water (2005; directed by Natalie Mooallem), White (2005; directed by Sebastian Mantilla), Kinnaq Nigaqtuqtuaq (2005; directed by Andrew Okpeaha MacLean), Two Men (2005) (directed by Ian Olds) and Mating Call (2004; directed by Patricio Serna).
He served as a camera operator on the short Glory at Sea (2008) (directed by Beasts of the Southern Wild director Benh Zeitlin), as a gaffer on the short film Just Make Believe (2008) (directed by Jadrien Steele), as an additional cinematographer on the TV documentary Small Steps: Creating the High School for Contemporary Arts (2007), assistant camera on the short film Dock (2004; directed by Nina Martinek), additional photography for the documentary Lockdown, USA (about the "War on Drugs" campaign and directed by Rebecca Chaiklin and Michael Skolnik), additional camera for Autumn's Eyes (2006; directed by Paola Mendoza and Gabriel Noble), a grip on the feature film Mango Kiss (2004; directed by Sascha Rice), and as an additional film loader on the feature film Black Cadillac (2003; directed by John Murlowski and starring Randy Quaid).
Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Fukunaga is documenting humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine.{{cite news | url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/cary-joji-fukunaga-documenting-humanitarian-relief-effort-ukraine-1235001504/ | first=Tom | last=Grater | title='No Time To Die' Director Cary Joji Fukunaga Documenting Humanitarian Relief Effort In Ukraine | publisher=Deadline Hollywood | date=2022-04-13 | access-date=2022-04-18 | archive-date=April 18, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418122006/https://deadline.com/2022/04/cary-joji-fukunaga-documenting-humanitarian-relief-effort-ukraine-1235001504/ | url-status=live }}
= Prospective projects =
{{main|Cary Joji Fukunaga's unrealized projects}}
In February 2017, it was reported Fukunaga was in talks to direct Shockwave, a drama about the lead-up to the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cary-fukunaga-talks-direct-atomic-bomb-drama-shockwave-976982/|title=Cary Fukunaga in Talks to Direct Atomic Bomb Drama 'Shockwave'|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=February 16, 2017|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=February 21, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125033722/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cary-fukunaga-talks-direct-atomic-bomb-drama-shockwave-976982|url-status=live}} In March 2021, he signed on to direct and produce Tokyo Ghost, based on the science fiction comic book series of the same name.{{cite news|last=Galuppo|first=Mia|title=Cary Fukunaga to Direct 'Tokyo Ghost' Adaptation for Legendary (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/cary-fukunaga-to-direct-tokyo-ghost-adaptation-for-legendary-exclusive|date=24 March 2021|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=October 15, 2021|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421211954/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/cary-fukunaga-to-direct-tokyo-ghost-adaptation-for-legendary-exclusive|url-status=live}}
Since May 2016, it was reported that Fukunaga, alongside Spielberg, could finalize the long-sought epic film about Napoleon that Stanley Kubrick worked on until the last days of his life.{{Cite news|url=https://consequence.net/2016/05/its-official-cary-fukunaga-and-steven-spielberg-will-finish-stanley-kubricks-napoleon/|title=It's official: Cary Fukunaga and Steven Spielberg will finish Stanley Kubrick's Napoleon|last=Young|first=Alex|date=May 20, 2016|work=Consequence|access-date=December 3, 2021|language=en|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204022109/https://consequence.net/2016/05/its-official-cary-fukunaga-and-steven-spielberg-will-finish-stanley-kubricks-napoleon/|url-status=live}}
In September 2024, it was reported that Fukunaga would direct and produce the Jo Nesbø crime thriller adaptation Blood on Snow. Nesbø was adapting the script (with revisions by Ben Power), based on his own best-selling novel of the same name. Tom Hardy and Aaron Taylor-Johnson were attached to star, with filming due to take place later that year.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/aaron-taylor-johnson-tom-hardy-cary-fukunaga-jo-nesbo-blood-on-snow-tiff-market-1236077411/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=4 September 2024|title=Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Hardy & Cary Fukunaga Team For Jo Nesbo Crime-Thriller 'Blood On Snow'; WME Independent & Range Launching Hot TIFF Market Package|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=September 4, 2024}} It was later announced in February 2025 that Benedict Cumberbatch was replacing Hardy, while Eva Green, Emma Laird, and Ben Mendelsohn were added to the cast.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/benedict-cumberbatch-replaces-tom-hardy-in-blood-on-snow-1236136970/ |access-date=14 February 2025|title=Benedict Cumberbatch Replaces Tom Hardy in Cary Fukunaga’s Crime Thriller ‘Blood on Snow’ (Exclusive)|first=Borys|last=Kit|date=February 14, 2025}}
Personal life
Fukunaga lives in New York City. He has lived in France, Japan, Mexico City and London,{{cite web|url=https://www.wgaeast.org/2015/12/interview-cary-fukunaga-beasts-of-no-nation/|title=Interview: Cary Fukunaga (BEASTS OF NO NATION)|website=Writers Guild of America East|access-date=August 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831211832/https://www.wgaeast.org/2015/12/interview-cary-fukunaga-beasts-of-no-nation/|archive-date=August 31, 2018|url-status=dead}} and is fluent in English, French and Spanish. He considers screenwriter Naomi Foner as a mentor.{{cite news|last1=Greco|first1=Patti|title=Cary Fukunaga Is Addicted to Cabin Porn|url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/03/cary-fukunaga-interview.html|access-date=August 26, 2014|work=Vulture|date=March 29, 2012|archive-date=August 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813125008/http://www.vulture.com/2012/03/cary-fukunaga-interview.html|url-status=live}}
Misconduct allegations
In October 2021, Raeden Greer accused Fukunaga of pressuring her into doing a topless scene for True Detective that was not included in her contract for her role as a stripper.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/bond-director-cary-joji-fukunaga-pressured-me-into-going-nude|title=Bond' Director Cary Joji Fukunaga Pressured Me Into Going Nude|website=The Daily Beast|first=Cheyenne|last=Roundtree|date=October 13, 2021|access-date=May 4, 2022|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504232103/https://www.thedailybeast.com/bond-director-cary-joji-fukunaga-pressured-me-into-going-nude|url-status=live}}
In April and May 2022, three women accused Fukunaga of various forms of sexual harassment, including pursuing relationships with them while in a position of power over them in the workplace.[https://www.thecut.com/2022/06/allegations-against-director-cary-fukunaga.html Allegation against director Cary Fukunaga] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823180437/https://www.thecut.com/2022/06/allegations-against-director-cary-fukunaga.html |date=August 23, 2022 }}, thecut.com. June 2, 2022. Accessed August 23, 2022.
Actress and skateboarder Rachelle Vinberg posted videos to Instagram accusing Fukunaga of grooming her and many other young actresses, citing in particular her experience filming his "A Perfect Day" Samsung commercial in 2016 (when she was 18 years old), and said that she had been in therapy for a year and diagnosed with PTSD as a result of his behavior in their relationship.{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Ashley |date=May 5, 2022 |title=HBO Actress Rachelle Vinberg Calls Director Cary Joji Fukunaga 'a Groomer' Who 'Traumatizes' Women |url=https://popculture.com/celebrity/news/hbo-actress-rachelle-vinberg-calls-director-cary-joji-fukunaga-a-groomer-who-traumatizes-women/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Pop Culture |language=en |archive-date=May 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506024028/https://popculture.com/celebrity/news/hbo-actress-rachelle-vinberg-calls-director-cary-joji-fukunaga-a-groomer-who-traumatizes-women/ |url-status=live }} On May 5, 2022, twins Hannah and Cailin Loesch, who worked on Maniac, accused Fukunaga of sexual harassment and grooming.{{cite web|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/film-tv/article/56081/1/james-bond-filmmaker-cary-fukunaga-accused-of-sexual-harassment-rachelle-vinberg|title=Acclaimed filmmaker Cary Fukunaga accused of sexual harassment|publisher=Dazed Digital|date=May 11, 2022|access-date=May 11, 2022|archive-date=May 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511151310/https://www.dazeddigital.com/film-tv/article/56081/1/james-bond-filmmaker-cary-fukunaga-accused-of-sexual-harassment-rachelle-vinberg|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/cary-fukunaga-accused-of-sexual-harassment-no-time-to-d-1848903005|title=Director Cary Fukunaga accused of sexual harassment|publisher=AV Club|accessdate=May 11, 2022|date=May 11, 2022|archive-date=May 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511000508/https://www.avclub.com/cary-fukunaga-accused-of-sexual-harassment-no-time-to-d-1848903005|url-status=live}}
Filmography
Short film
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! width="65" |Director ! width="65" |Writer ! width="65" |Producer |
|---|
| 2003
| Kofi | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{partial|Executive}} |
| 2004
| Victoria para chino | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
| 2012
| Sleepwalking in the Rift | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{partial|Executive}} |
=Feature film=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! width="65"| Director ! width="65"| Writer ! width="65"| Producer ! width="65"| DoP |
|---|
| rowspan="2" |2009
| Chinatown Film Project | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} |
| Sin nombre
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| 2011
| {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| 2015
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
| 2017
| It | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| 2020
| Joe Bell | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| 2021
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| 2025
| Ricky | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| TBA
| {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
Executive producer
- On the Ice (2011)
- Little Boxes (2016)
- Thumper (2017)
Cinematographer only
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2" |2004
|Mating Call |rowspan=6|Short film |
| The Adventures of Supernigger: Episode I – The Final Chapter |
| rowspan="4" |2005
|Two Men |
| Kinnaq Nigaqtuqtuaq |
| White |
| Clear Water |
| 2006
|Death of Two Sons |Documentary film |
| 2007
|Team Queen |rowspan=3|Short film |
| 2008
|Sikumi (On the Ice) |
| 2013
|Handmade |
=Television=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! width="60"| Director ! width="60"| Executive ! width="60"| Writer ! Notes |
|---|
| 2014
| {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | {{No}} | Season 1 |
| rowspan="2"| 2018
| {{No}} | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | Episodes "These Bloody Thoughts" and "Castle in the Sky" |
| Maniac
| {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | {{No}} | Miniseries |
| rowspan="2"| 2024
| {{Yes}} | {{No}} | {{No}} | 4 episodes |
| Omnivore
| {{No}} | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | Episodes "Chile" and "Rice" |
Awards and nominations
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=February 2019}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|1560977}}
{{Cary Fukunaga}}
{{EmmyAward DirectingDrama}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fukunaga, Cary}}
Category:American cinematographers
Category:American film directors of Japanese descent
Category:American people of Swedish descent
Category:American male screenwriters
Category:American male television writers
Category:Television writers from California
Category:American television directors
Category:American writers of Japanese descent
Category:Film directors from California
Category:Film producers from California
Category:People from the San Francisco Bay Area
Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners
Category:Princess Grace Awards winners
Category:Sundance Film Festival award winners
Category:Television producers from California
Category:Tisch School of the Arts alumni
Category:University of California, Santa Cruz alumni