David S. Goyer

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/interview/505|title=The Unborn Set Visit: Writer-Director David Goyer|date=8 April 2010|publisher=BloodyDisgusting}}{{Cite news|url=http://jewishjournal.com/culture/arts/5719/|title=Man of Action|last=Aushenker|first=Michael|date=March 28, 2002|work=Jewish Journal|access-date=May 30, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=http://jewishjournal.com/mobile_20111212/115035/|title='Da Vinci' goes rogue in new STARZ historical fantasy|last=Pfefferman|first=Naomi|date=April 3, 2013|work=Jewish Journal|access-date=May 30, 2018}} Goyer is an alumnus of Huron High School and the University of Southern California, graduating from the School of Cinema-Television in 1988.[http://cinema.usc.edu/alumni/notable.cfm Notable Alumni, USC School of Cinematic Arts].

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 an Isuzu Trooper, which was stolen the first night he drove it home.{{cite web |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/David-Goyer/biography/ |title=David Goyer Biography |access-date=2014-04-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413140628/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/David-Goyer/biography/ |archive-date=2014-04-13 }}

A professed comic book fanatic{{cite news | last = Allstetter | first= Rob | date = August 1997 | title = Special Report: Blood on the Big Screen | work = Wizard | issue = 72 | pages = 122–3}} who often wrote to letter columns,{{r|trenholm20160330}} Goyer has written or co-written several screenplays based on comic book characters and series, including Batman, Superman, Ghost Rider, and Blade.{{cite web|url=http://screenwriting.ugo.com/screenwriting/davidgoyer_interview.php|title=David Goyer - Writer, Producer, Director|accessdate=2022-04-03|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20041010130814/http://screenwriting.ugo.com/screenwriting/davidgoyer_interview.php|archive-date=October 10, 2004|df=mdy-all}} and had 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 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 comicbook films explore the consequences of becoming a symbolic figure, a topic he has long been interested in.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/batman-v-superman-writer-david-goyer-predicted-marvels-civil-war-30-years-ago/ |title=How a 'Batman v Superman' writer predicted Marvel's 'Civil War' 30 years ago |last=Trenholm |first=Richard |date=2016-03-30 |website=CNET |language=en |access-date=2019-05-11}} In 2011, Goyer wrote a short story titled "The Incident" in which Superman renounces his United States citizenship.{{cite web|last1=Hudson |first1=Laura |title=Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship in 'Action Comics' #900 Read More: Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship in 'Action Comics' #900 |url=http://comicsalliance.com/superman-renounces-us-citizenship/ |website=comicsalliance.com |publisher=Comics Alliance |access-date=10 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710001616/http://comicsalliance.com/superman-renounces-us-citizenship/ |archive-date=10 July 2014 }} 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 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 adapting the first novel for the big screen.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/david-goyer-heavens-shadow-novel-movie-sandy-75027|title=David Goyer To Adapt His Debut Novel 'Heaven's Shadow' For Film|work=Screen Rant|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706195252/http://screenrant.com/david-goyer-heavens-shadow-novel-movie-sandy-75027/|archive-date=2012-07-06}}

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.{{cite news| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/starz-orders-david-goyers-da-253062 | work=The Hollywood Reporter | first=Lesley | last=Goldberg | title=Starz Orders David Goyer's 'Da Vinci's Demons' To Series | date=October 25, 2011}} The show ran for three seasons and received generally favorable reviews, including an 81% rating from Rotten Tomatoes.{{Cite web|title = Da Vinci's Demons|url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/da-vinci-s-demons|website = www.rottentomatoes.com|access-date = 2016-02-18}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/david-goyer-direct-count-monte-429489|title=David Goyer to Direct 'Count of Monte Cristo' Remake (Exclusive)|date=18 March 2013|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=4 October 2014}}

In June 2013, he was announced to work on both Justice League and a sequel to Man of Steel.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/06/man-of-steel-sequel-underway-with-zack-snyder-and-david-s-goyer-517621/|title=‘Man Of Steel’ Sequel Underway With Zack Snyder And David S. Goyer|first=Nikki|last=Finke|date=June 11, 2013}} In September 2013, Goyer delivered a screenwriting lecture as part of the BAFTA and BFI Screenwriters' Lecture Series.{{cite news | title=Goyer Delivers her BAFTA Screenwriters' Lecture | url= http://www.bafta.org/film/features/david-s-goyer-delivers-his-bafta-screenwriters-lecture,3931,BA.html| access-date=October 7, 2013 | work= BAFTA | date=September 28, 2013}} Goyer produced the horror film The Forest, directed by Jason Zada.{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title=Lava Bear Sets Jason Zada To Helm David Goyer-Hatched 'The Forest': Video|url=https://deadline.com/2013/11/lava-bear-sets-jason-zada-to-helm-david-goyer-hatched-the-forest-627497/|access-date=October 30, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 5, 2013}} Focus Features has the North American distribution rights to the film,{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title=Focus Picks Up David Goyer Supernatural Thriller 'The Forest'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/focus-picks-up-david-goyer-706538|access-date=October 30, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 22, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|title=David Goyer's 'The Forest' Gets North American Distribution|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/david-goyers-the-forest-gets-north-american-distribution-1201189241/|access-date=October 30, 2014|work=Variety|date=May 23, 2014}} which was Zada's feature film directorial debut.

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.{{Cite web|title = David S. Goyer Taps Kevin Turen President As Superhero Vet Takes Indie Turn|url = https://deadline.com/2014/12/david-s-goyer-dark-knight-hires-kevin-turen-president-indie-films-1201304542/|website = Deadline Hollywood|access-date = 2016-02-18|language = en-US|first = Mike Jr.|last = Fleming|date = December 2014}} 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.{{Cite web|title = David Goyer Tapped To Produce Feature Version Of Oliver Daly Short 'Miles'|url = https://deadline.com/2015/02/david-goyer-oliver-daly-miles-1201366286/|website = Deadline|access-date = 2016-02-18|language = en-US|first = Mike Jr.|last = Fleming|date = 4 February 2015}} Furthermore, he executive-produced Nate Parker's feature The Birth of a Nation, which sold for a record $17.5 million at the Sundance Film Festival, before sweeping the festival's awards.{{Cite web|title = Armie Hammer Joins Nate Parker's Nat Turner Biopic 'The Birth Of A Nation'|url = https://deadline.com/2014/11/armie-hammer-nate-parker-nat-turner-the-birth-of-a-nation-1201282544/|website = Deadline|access-date = 2016-02-18|language = en-US|first = Jen|last = Yamato|date = 12 November 2014}}{{Cite web|title = 'Birth Of A Nation' Sweeps Sundance Grand Jury & Audience Awards|url = https://deadline.com/2016/01/birth-of-a-nation-sundance-winner-2016-awards-1201693570/|website = Deadline|access-date = 2016-02-18|language = en-US|last1=Patten|first1=Dominic|last2 = Hipes|first2=Patrick|date = 30 January 2016}}

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.{{Cite web|title = David Goyer Joins James Cameron for 'Fantastic Voyage' (Exclusive)|url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/david-goyer-joins-james-cameron-700652|website = The Hollywood Reporter|date = May 2014|access-date = 2016-02-18}} 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.{{Cite web|title = Guillermo del Toro in Talks for 'Fantastic Voyage' Remake|url = https://variety.com/2016/film/news/guillermo-del-toro-fantastic-voyage-remake-1201674327/|website = Variety|access-date = 2016-02-18|language = en-US|first = Dave|last = McNary|date = 7 January 2016}} 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 really phenomenal."{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/david-goyers-darth-vader-vr-project/|title=David Goyer Says His Darth Vader VR Project Will Make You Cry|publisher=Slashfilm|last=Sciretta|first=Sciretta|date=July 6, 2017}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/green-lantern-corps-warner-bros-david-goyer-justin-rhodes-dc-1201884133/|title=Warner Bros Sets David Goyer, Justin Rhodes For 'Green Lantern Corps'|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=January 12, 2017}} 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.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/04/26/sony-release-date-masters-of-the-universe-reboot/|title=McG no longer directing Masters of the Universe|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Lawrence|first=Derek|date=April 26, 2017}} 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.{{cite web|last=Marc|first=Christopher|url=http://omegaunderground.com/2018/01/10/sonys-masters-universe-movie-eyeing-april-production-start/|title=Sony's Masters Of The Universe Eyeing April 2018 Production Start|date=January 10, 2018|publisher=Omega Underground|access-date=January 14, 2018}} By February of that year, Goyer dropped out as the film's director and writer.{{cite magazine|last=Lang|first=Brent|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/masters-of-the-universe-he-man-david-goyer-wont-direct-1202692790/|title=Masters Of The Universe Still Needs Director As David Goyer Passes|date=February 8, 2018|magazine=Variety|access-date=February 8, 2018}} 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.{{cite web|last=Lang|first=Brent|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/david-s-goyers-masters-of-the-universe/|title=David S. Goyer's 'Masters of the Universe' Would Have Been a 'Lord of the Rings'-Sized Epic|date=February 26, 2019|publisher=SlashFilm|access-date=May 1, 2019}}

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.{{cite web|last1=Ramos|first1=Dino-Ray|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/linda-hamilton-terminator-return-james-cameron-paramount-skydance-arnold-schwarzenegger-1202173562/amp/|title=Linda Hamilton Set To Return To Terminator|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=20 September 2017|access-date=September 27, 2017}}

In the early 2020s, Goyer produced The Night House, starring Rebecca Hall, as well as the Scott Cooper film Antlers. The Night House premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival; Searchlight purchased the rights to the film,{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/the-night-house-sundance-searchlight-pictures-12-million-worldwide-rights-deal-1202842122/|title=Searchlight Pictures Closing $12 Million WW Rights Deal for Sundance Thriller 'The Night House'|last=Fleming Jr|first=Mike|date=27 January 2020|work=Deadline Hollywood}} and released it to critical acclaim in August 2021. Goyer produced the 2021 film The Tomorrow War, starring Chris Pratt for Skydance and Amazon. He has been signed on as a producer for the sequel.{{cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a37112140/the-tomorrow-war-2-white-spikes-mystery-solved/|title=The Tomorrow War 2 will answer a big White Spikes question|last=Houghton|first=Rianne|date=23 July 2021|website=Digital Spy}}

Goyer executive produces and serves as showrunner for Foundation, which premiered on Apple TV+ on September 24, 2021, and is based on Isaac Asimov's novels of the same name. He wrote the first and last episodes as well as directing the season finale.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804484/|title = Foundation| website=IMDb |date = 24 September 2021}} Goyer co-wrote the pilot and serves as executive producer for The Sandman, which was released on Netflix on August 5, 2022. Goyer had been involved with an adaptation of Neil Gaiman's comic book The Sandman since he had pitched a story idea in December 2013.{{cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=December 16, 2013 |title=Joseph Gordon-Levitt Eyeing Sandman as Director and Star, Producing with David Goyer at Warner Bros |url=https://deadline.com/2013/12/joseph-gordon-levitt-eyeing-sandman-as-director-star-producer-at-warner-bros-653298/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713192800/http://www.deadline.com/2013/12/joseph-gordon-levitt-eyeing-sandman-as-director-star-producer-at-warner-bros/ |archive-date=July 13, 2014 |access-date=December 16, 2013 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} By February 2014, he was set to produce a feature film, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but the film's development stalled and transitioned into a television show.{{Cite web |last=Heinberg |first=Allan |author-link=Allan Heinberg |date=July 29, 2022 |title=The Sandman: How the Netflix Series Was Born |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-sandman-netflix-series-born/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729193553/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-sandman-netflix-series-born/ |archive-date=July 29, 2022 |access-date=August 5, 2022 |website=Den of Geek}}

For the 2022 film Hellraiser, a reimagining of the franchise of the same name, Goyer wrote the story and produced the film under the Phantom Four banner for Spyglass and Hulu.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/clive-barker-hellraiser-spyglass-david-goyer-1203205895/|title = 'Hellraiser' Revival in the Works with 'Dark Knight' Writer David S. Goyer|date = 6 May 2019}} His Phantom Four company had signed a deal with Village Roadshow Pictures.{{Cite web|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|date=2021-09-10|title=David Goyer's Phantom Four Films Signs First-Look Deal With Village Roadshow, Sets 'Reincarnation Of Peter Proud' As First Project|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/david-goyers-phantom-four-films-first-look-village-roadshow-reincarnation-of-peter-proud-1234830442/|access-date=2021-09-14|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}

Producer only

Uncredited writing roles

• Pet Sematary Two (1992)
• On Deadly Ground (1994)
• Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
• Godzilla (2014)

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

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Commons}}

• {{IMDb name|333060}}

{{David S. Goyer}}

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{{Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay|state=collapsed}}

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