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Joe Carnahan

{{Short description|American film director}}

{{Infobox person

|name = Joe Carnahan

|image = Joe Carnahan (4920110734) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Carnahan at the A-Team film premiere

|birth_name = Joseph Aaron Carnahan

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|05|09}}

|birth_place = Michigan, U.S.

|alma_mater = Sacramento State University

|death_date =

|death_place =

|occupation = Film director, screenwriter, producer

|relatives = Matthew Michael Carnahan (brother)

|spouse = {{plainlist|

  • Christy Leis
  • Lisa Carnahan

}}

|children = 2

|years_active = 1995–present

}}

Joseph Aaron Carnahan (born May 9, 1969) is an American film director, screenwriter, producer and actor whose films include Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane;{{cite web|date=April 9, 1999|title='Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane': Don't Buy a Used Car From Either of Them|author=Holden, Stephen|author-link=Stephen Holden|url=http://partners.nytimes.com/library/film/040999blood-film-review.html|work=The New York Times}} Narc; Smokin' Aces; The A-Team; The Grey; and Boss Level. He also wrote and directed several episodes for the NBC television series The Blacklist. He is the brother of screenwriter Matthew Michael Carnahan and producer Leah Carnahan.

Early life

Carnahan was raised in Michigan and Northern California. Carnahan graduated from Fairfield High School in 1987, where he also played football. {{citation needed|date=September 2019}} He attended college at San Francisco State University{{citation needed|date=July 2013}} but later transferred to California State University, Sacramento, and earned his B.A. in Filmography there.{{cite web|url=https://www2.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/alumni/made-in-the-csu/sacramento/Pages/carnahan.aspx|title=CSU Alumni: Entertainment & Media – JOE CARNAHAN|publisher=California State University|access-date=February 2, 2019}}

  • a "CSU Sacramento, B.A. Film Studies (1994)." Carnahan eventually became employed in the Promotional Department of Sacramento's KMAX-TV, producing short films and television spots.{{cite web|url=http://gooddaysacramento.cbslocal.com/2012/01/26/sacramentos-joe-carnahan-and-liam-neeson-tomorrow/|title=Sacramento's Joe Carnahan and Liam Neeson Tomorrow!|date=January 26, 2012|publisher=Good Day Sacramento|access-date=July 20, 2013}}
  • a "...(who started right here at Good Day Sacramento,)." — ¶ 1.

Film career

In 1998, he won some cult and critical acclaim for his film Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane which premiered in September 1997 at the New York Independent Feature Film Market and later at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.

He directed the 2002 Detroit-set thriller Narc, starring Ray Liotta and Jason Patric. Following Narc, he directed an entry in the BMW Films titled Ticker starring Clive Owen and Don Cheadle. At one point he was solicited to direct Mission: Impossible III, produced by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner (who also executive produced Narc), however, he subsequently left the production due to conflicting views on the tone of the film. It was also announced in October 2005, Carnahan would be directing a film based on the life of convicted drug dealer Will Wright, but the project seems to be abandoned.

His next film, Smokin' Aces, was produced in 2006 and released in January 2007. He also co-wrote the screenplay of Pride and Glory, released in 2008, nearly a year behind schedule.

He was attached to direct an adaptation of James Ellroy's novel White Jazz with George Clooney producing and starring, but Clooney later pulled out from the production and in 2009, Ellroy stated that all adaptations of the film were dead.{{cite web |last=Conley |first=Stephen |url=http://chuckpalahniuk.net/interviews/authors/james-ellroy |title=James Ellroy |publisher=The Cult |date=September 21, 2009 |access-date=September 21, 2009 |archive-date=January 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102010156/http://chuckpalahniuk.net/interviews/authors/james-ellroy |url-status=dead }}

In 2007, Carnahan penned Remarkable Fellows for Universal with Jason Bateman set to star,{{cite web|last=Fleming |first=Michael |url=https://variety.com/2007/film/news/universal-buys-remarkable-pitch-2-1117965105 |title=Universal buys 'Remarkable' pitch |work=Variety |date=May 16, 2007 |access-date=May 16, 2007}} but the film never went into production.

In 2010, Brian Bloom and Carnahan were then hired by Fox for the revamping of their long-gestating A-Team project, based on the hit '80's television series. He also showed interest in directing film adaptations for Garth Ennis' graphic novel Preacher and David Michelinie's Taskmaster.{{cite web|last=Marnell |first= Blair |url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/06/07/a-team-director-wants-taskmaster-and-preacher-movies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608213250/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/06/07/a-team-director-wants-taskmaster-and-preacher-movies/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 8, 2010 |title='A-Team' Director Wants 'Taskmaster' And 'Preacher' Movies |publisher=MTV |date=June 6, 2010 |access-date=June 6, 2010}}

In 2011, he directed the thriller The Grey, starring Liam Neeson.{{Cite web|url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/12/17/joe-carnahan-a-team-dvd-sequel-the-grey/|title=Joe Carnahan Talks 'A-Team' DVD And Sequel, Says 'The Grey' Will Be 'Jaws-Like'|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711015156/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/12/17/joe-carnahan-a-team-dvd-sequel-the-grey/|archive-date=2012-07-11}}

Carnahan was one of the executive producers for NBC's The Blacklist, starring James Spader and Megan Boone, during its first season. He directed the pilot, and went on to co-write and direct the ninth episode, "Anslo Garrick". Carnahan also wrote the story for episode 16, "Mako Tanida".

Carnahan and his brother Matthew wrote a script adapting of the Mark Millar comic book series Nemesis for film in 2013.{{cite web|last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |url=https://deadline.com/2013/10/mark-millar-raving-over-carnahan-clan-adaptation-of-nemesis-603510/ |title=Mark Millar Raving Over Carnahan Clan Adaptation Of 'Nemesis' |publisher=Deadline |date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=October 4, 2013}} He had also been attached to direct an adaptation of Mark Bowden's book Killing Pablo.{{cite web|last=Chitwood |first=Adam |url=https://collider.com/joe-carnahan-nemesis-liam-neeson-killing-pablo-interview/ |title=Director Joe Carnahan Talks Mark Millar's Nemesis and Killing Pablo |publisher=Collider |date=April 11, 2012 |access-date=April 11, 2012}}

Carnahan executive produced the NBC political thriller State of Affairs, starring Katherine Heigl and Alfre Woodard, which premiered November 17, 2014. He directed and co-wrote the pilot.

In April 2022, Lionsgate Films revealed that Carnahan will direct Shadow Force, starring Kerry Washington and Omar Sy.{{cite web|last=Wiseman|first=Andreas|title=Omar Sy & Kerry Washington Set To Star In Lionsgate Action-Thriller 'Shadow Force'; Joe Carnahan Directing|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/kerry-washington-omar-sy-joe-carnahan-lionsgate-shadow-force-1234997164/|date=April 8, 2022|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=November 16, 2022}}

In June 2023, Carnahan began filming Not Without Hope, a survival thriller adapted from the non-fiction book by Nick Schuyler and Jeré Longman and starring Zachary Levi and Josh Duhamel.

On June 18, 2024, it was announced that Carnahan would write and direct the crime thriller RIP, starring Ben Affleck (who had previously worked with Carnahan on Smokin' Aces) and Matt Damon, with the project to be produced by Affleck and Damon's Artists Equity.{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=June 18, 2024|url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/matt-damon-ben-affleck-rip-artists-equity-joe-carnahan-1235977572/|title=Matt Damon & Ben Affleck To Star In Crime Thriller 'RIP' From Artists Equity And Joe Carnahan: Hot Package|access-date=October 9, 2024|website=Deadline Hollywood}} On July 2, it was announced that the project had been acquired by Netflix.{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=July 2, 2024|url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/netflix-rip-matt-damon-ben-affleck-joe-carnahan-1235999488/|title=Netflix Lands Artists Equity's Crime Thriller 'RIP' Starring Matt Damon And Ben Affleck With Joe Carnahan Directing|access-date=October 9, 2024|website=Deadline Hollywood}} Production on RIP began in October 2024.{{Cite web|date=October 10, 2024|last=Kit|first=Borys|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kyle-chandler-joins-ben-affleck-rip-1236029372/|title=Kyle Chandler Joins Ben Affleck, Matt Damon in Netflix Crime Thriller 'RIP' (Exclusive)|access-date=November 28, 2024|website=The Hollywood Reporter|quote=The actor will squeeze in RIP before Lanterns, as the Netflix feature begins production later this month in Miami and Los Angeles.}}

In February 2025, Caranahan announced he would partner with White Label Productions CEO Chris Wagner to form Gang of Three, a film production company.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2025-02-05 |title=‘RIP’s Joe Carnahan Launches Production Company Gang Of Three With Chris Wagner |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/joe-carnahan-production-company-gang-of-three-1236278841/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

Filmography

=Film=

class="wikitable"

! Year

! Title

!width=65| Director

!width=65| Writer

!width=65| Producer

! Notes

1995

| Karate Raider

| {{no}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

|

1998

| Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| Also editor

2002

| Narc

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

|

2006

| Smokin' Aces

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

|

2008

| Pride and Glory

| {{no}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

|

2010

| The A-Team

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

|

2011

| The Grey

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

|

2014

| Stretch

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| Direct-to-video

rowspan="2"|2018

| Death Wish

| {{no}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

|

El Chicano

| {{no}}

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

|

rowspan=2| 2020

| Bad Boys for Life

| {{no}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

|

Boss Level

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

|

2021

| Copshop

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

|

rowspan="2"| 2025

| Shadow Force

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| Post-production

RIP

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| Post-production

TBA

| Not Without Hope

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| Post-production{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/josh-duhamel-joe-carnahan-survival-thriller-not-without-hope-marquis-cooper-corey-smith-nfl-1235645155/|title= Josh Duhamel Joins Joe Carnahan's Survival Thriller 'Not Without Hope' (EXCLUSIVE)|website=Variety|first=Brent|last=Lang|date=15 June 2023|accessdate=31 August 2023}}

Producer only

Associate producer

  • The Devil Takes a Holiday (1996)

Executive producer

Acting roles

class="wikitable"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

1998

| Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane

| Sid French

|

2010

| The A-Team

| Mike 'The Operator'

| Credited as "Bo Anzo"

2018

| El Chicano

| Role: Federal #1

|

2020

| Boss Level

| Guy in diner

| Uncredited

=Short films=

class="wikitable"

! Year

! Title

!width=65| Director

!width=65| Writer

!width=65| Producer

! Notes

1998

| Taco Heaven

| {{no}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

|

2000

| Nail in My Coffin

| {{no}}

| {{no}}

| {{no}}

| Editor

2002

| Ticker

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| Segment from the BMW short film series The Hire

2003

| Boyz Up Unauthorized

| {{no}}

| {{no}}

| {{partial|Executive}}

|

2009

| Susannah

| {{no}}

| {{no}}

| {{yes}}

|

2011

| The Devil's Dosh

| {{no}}

| {{no}}

| {{partial|Executive}}

|

=Television=

class="wikitable"

! Year

! Title

! Director

! Producer

! Writer

! Notes

2006

| Faceless

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| Unsold TV pilot

rowspan="2"|2013

| Dino and Dash

| {{no}}

| {{partial|Executive}}

| {{no}}

| Television film

The Blacklist

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| {{yes}}

|

rowspan="2"|2014

| Those Who Kill

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| {{no}}

|

State of Affairs

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

|

= Frequent collaborators =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%"
style="vertical-align:bottom;"

! Collaborator

! Narc

! Smokin' Aces

! The A-Team

! The Grey

! Stretch

! Boss Level

! Copshop

! Total

Roger Barton

|

|

|{{ya}}

|{{ya}}

|

|

|

|2

Brian Bloom

|

|{{ya}}

|{{ya}}

|

|

|

|

|2

James Badge Dale

|

|

|

|{{ya}}

|{{ya}}

|

|

|2

Mauro Fiore

|

|{{ya}}

|{{ya}}

|

|

|

|

|2

Frank Grillo

|

|

|

|{{ya}}

|

|{{ya}}

|{{ya}}

|3

Christopher Michael Holley

|

|{{ya}}

|

|

|{{ya}}

|

|

|2

Quinton Jackson

|

|

|{{ya}}

|

|

|{{ya}}

|

|2

Ray Liotta

|{{ya}}

|{{ya}}

|

|

|{{ya}}

|

|

|3

Liam Neeson

|

|

|{{ya}}

|{{ya}}

|

|

|

|2

Chris Pine

|

|{{ya}}

|

|

|{{ya}}

|

|

|2

Ridley Scott

|

|

|{{ya}}

|{{ya}}

|

|

|

|2

Maury Sterling

|

|{{ya}}

|{{ya}}

|

|

|

|

|2

Patrick Wilson

|

|

|{{ya}}

|

|{{ya}}

|

|

|2

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

  • {{IMDb name|0138620}}
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20100114225104/http://www.leisuresuit.net/Webzine/articles/joe_carnahan.shtml Interview with Joe Carnahan at LeisureSuit.net]

{{Joe Carnahan}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carnahan, Joe}}

Category:1969 births

Category:American male bloggers

Category:American bloggers

Category:California State University, Sacramento alumni

Category:Male actors from Sacramento, California

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from Delaware

Category:Male actors from Detroit

Category:Film directors from Michigan

Category:American action film directors

Category:Fairfield High School (California) alumni