Will Speck and Josh Gordon
{{Short description|American director and producer duo}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Will Speck and Josh Gordon
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = Will Speck
{{Birth date and age|1969|12|31}}
New York City, New York, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Directors|producers|screenwriters}}
| years_active = 1997–present
}}
Will Speck (born December 31, 1969) and Josh Gordon are an American filmmaker duo who generally work in the comedy genre. They have directed six feature films together. Their accolades include an Academy Award nomination.
Speck and Gordon met while attending the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Their short film Culture (1997) was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. They directed their first feature film, Blades of Glory, in 2007. Their works include the movies The Switch (2010), The Power Inside (2013), Office Christmas Party (2016), Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022), and Distant (2024), and the television shows Cavemen (2007) and Hit-Monkey (2021).
Career
Will Speck and Josh Gordon met when they were paired for a group assignment at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. They became friends and wrote screenplays together in Los Angeles in 1994. Gordon joined the writing staff of the sitcom Mad About You and Speck worked with Fox 2000 Pictures as a creative executive. They wrote and directed the short films Angry Boys and Culture in 1997. Culture starred Philip Seymour Hoffman and earned Best Narrative Short Film at the Chicago International Film Festival and an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film. Gordon said the two shorts were "the first times we expressed our sensibility on film."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/will_speck|title=Will Speck|website=Rotten Tomatoes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519185250/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/will_speck|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1999/tv/news/culturing-comedy-1117755351/|title=Culturing comedy|date=September 2, 1999|first=Cynthia|last=Littleton|website=Variety|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520215052/https://variety.com/1999/tv/news/culturing-comedy-1117755351/|archive-date=May 20, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 20, 2021}}
Speck and Gordon made their feature directorial debut in 2007 with the comedy Blades of Glory, starring Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Will Arnett, and Amy Poehler. It was both a critical and commercial success, earning over $145 million at the box office.{{cite Box Office Mojo|id=0445934|title=Blades of Glory|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519191346/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0445934/|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} Also in 2007, they worked on the sitcom Cavemen as writers, directors, and executive producers.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/arts/television/09dave.html|url-access=limited|title=A Sitcom Battles Its Own Prehistory|date=December 9, 2007|first=Dave|last=Itzkoff|author-link=Dave Itzkoff|website=The New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519001915/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/arts/television/09dave.html|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/10/03/cavemen-evolution-sitcom/|title='Cavemen': The evolution of a sitcom|date=October 3, 2007|first=Tanner|last=Stransky|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519001947/https://ew.com/article/2007/10/03/cavemen-evolution-sitcom/|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} The distributor ABC struggled to promote the series, and it received mixed reviews; the Chicago Tribune called it one of the worst television shows ever made.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77978237/abcs-cavemen-undergoes-a-little/|title=ABC's 'Cavemen' undergoes a little pre-debut evolution|first=Lynn|last=Elber|date=October 2, 2007|page=14|work=The Daily Journal|publication-place=Vineland, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519191632/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77978237/abcs-cavemen-undergoes-a-little/|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-071024worst_tv-story.html|url-access=limited|title=Top 25 worst TV shows ever|date=October 26, 2007|website=Chicago Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519191624/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-071024worst_tv-story.html|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} In 2010, Speck and Gordon directed Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman in the romantic comedy film The Switch; it was met with mixed reviews, particularly for its screenplay.{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=The Switch|id=baster|type=m|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519203816/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/baster|archive-date=May 19, 2021|access-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live}} In 2013, they directed the interactive social film The Power Inside, which was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding New Approaches in a Drama Series.
Speck and Gordon also directed hundreds of commercials. Their most notable ones are the GEICO Cavemen campaign ("So easy, a caveman could it do") that inspired the show Cavemen,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77984073/a-sneak-peek-at-this-falls-lineup/|title=A sneak peek at this fall's lineup|first=David|last=Bianculli|author-link=David Bianculli|date=May 11, 2017|page=127|work=New York Daily News|publication-place=New York City, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519204427/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77984073/a-sneak-peek-at-this-falls-lineup/|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://adage.com/article/media/geico-brings-back-cavemen/124855|url-access=subscription|title=Geico Brings Back Cavemen|date=February 4, 2008|first=Brian|last=Steinberg|website=Ad Age|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519205009/https://adage.com/article/media/geico-brings-back-cavemen/124855|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} a "Make Homosexuals Marry" commercial with Justin Long and Mike White,{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/devin-glenn-justin-long-a_n_602602|title='Devin & Glenn': Justin Long And Mike White Team Up For 'Make Homosexuals Marry' Campaign|date=December 6, 2017|first=David|last=Glenn|website=HuffPost|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519200924/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/devin-glenn-justin-long-a_n_602602|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} and an advertisement promoting organ donation, titled "World's Biggest Asshole", starring Thomas Jane and the voice of Arnett.{{cite web|url=https://adage.com/creativity/work/worlds-biggest-asshole/48478?|url-access=subscription|title=Thomas Jane Plays the 'World's Biggest Asshole' in This Very Surprising Film|date=August 4, 2016|first=Alexandra|last=Jardine|website=Ad Age|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519200930/https://adage.com/creativity/work/worlds-biggest-asshole/48478|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} Forbes magazine listed "World's Biggest Asshole" as one of the best advertisements of 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/willburns/2016/12/27/in-a-year-of-great-storytelling-the-top-5-ads-of-2016/|title=In A Year Of Great Storytelling, My Top 5 Ads Of 2016|date=December 27, 2016|first=Will|last=Burns|website=Forbes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519201514/https://www.forbes.com/sites/willburns/2016/12/27/in-a-year-of-great-storytelling-the-top-5-ads-of-2016/|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} At the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the commercial's sponsor was awarded ten Golden Lions (three golds, two silvers, and five bronzes).{{cite web|url=https://www.adweek.com/creativity/why-cannes-is-ready-to-fall-in-love-with-the-worlds-biggest-asshole/|url-access=subscription|title=Why Cannes Is Ready to Fall in Love With the World's Biggest Asshole|date=June 19, 2017|first=Katie|last=Richards|website=Adweek|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519201434/https://www.adweek.com/creativity/why-cannes-is-ready-to-fall-in-love-with-the-worlds-biggest-asshole/|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} In 2016, Speck and Gordon directed two episodes of the series Flaked, starring Arnett, and the movie Office Christmas Party, starring Aniston and Bateman.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/office-christmas-party-dreamworks-jennifer-aniston-jason-bateman-1201706079/|title=Dreamworks Invites Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston To 'Office Christmas Party'|date=February 19, 2016|first=Ross A.|last=Lincoln|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519210239/https://deadline.com/2016/02/office-christmas-party-dreamworks-jennifer-aniston-jason-bateman-1201706079/|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} In 2021, their animated television series Hit-Monkey, based on the Marvel Comics character, was released on Hulu. Their next work, the musical film Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile based on the children's book and starring Shawn Mendes, was released in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/lyle-lyle-crocodile-movie-will-speck-josh-gordon-direct-sony-pictures-1234758593/|title=Will Speck & Josh Gordon To Helm 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' At Sony Pictures|date=May 17, 2021|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517205037/https://deadline.com/2021/05/lyle-lyle-crocodile-movie-will-speck-josh-gordon-direct-sony-pictures-1234758593/|archive-date=May 17, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/whitney-houston-biopic-release-date-george-foreman-lyle-lyle-crocodile-sony-1234830193/|title=Sony Sets Dates For Whitney Houston & George Foreman Biopics, Two Others; 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' On The Move|date=September 9, 2021|first=Erik|last=Pedersen|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910021845/https://deadline.com/2021/09/whitney-houston-biopic-release-date-george-foreman-lyle-lyle-crocodile-sony-1234830193/|archive-date=September 10, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=September 10, 2021}} Their latest project was the science fiction movie Distant, which wrapped filming in 2020 and was released in 2024.
Future and unrealized projects
Speck and Gordon were reported to direct many movies which were either canceled or in development hell. They include the movies I Want to ______ Your Sister (announced in 2008; abandoned by 2019),{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/features/speck-gordon-to-direct-sister-1117981216/|title=Speck, Gordon to direct 'Sister'|date=February 20, 2008|first=Tatiana|last=Siegel|website=Variety|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520220709/https://variety.com/2008/film/features/speck-gordon-to-direct-sister-1117981216/|archive-date=May 20, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 20, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/glen-powell-star-i-wanna-f-your-brother-1215732/|title=Glen Powell to Star in STX Comedy 'I Wanna F*** Your Brother'|date=June 4, 2019|first=Mia|last=Galuppo|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520220737/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/glen-powell-star-i-wanna-f-your-brother-1215732/|archive-date=May 20, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 20, 2021}} The Pool (announced in 2011),{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2011/02/blades-of-glory-duo-dives-into-the-pool-104242/|title='Blades Of Glory' Duo Dives Into 'The Pool'|date=February 8, 2011|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519212034/https://deadline.com/2011/02/blades-of-glory-duo-dives-into-the-pool-104242/|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} Parents Weekend (announced in 2015),{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/06/lotus-entertainment-comedy-spec-parents-weekend-1201435722/|title=Lotus Entertainment Acquires Comedy Spec 'Parents Weekend'|date=June 1, 2015|first=Anita|last=Busch|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519212433/https://deadline.com/2015/06/lotus-entertainment-comedy-spec-parents-weekend-1201435722/|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} The Travelers (announced in 2017),{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/will-speck-josh-gordon-direct-the-travelers-chris-pavone-jonathan-herman-amblin-partners-1202182405/|title=Will Speck & Josh Gordon To Direct Amblin's 'The Travelers'|date=October 5, 2017|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519212935/https://deadline.com/2017/10/will-speck-josh-gordon-direct-the-travelers-chris-pavone-jonathan-herman-amblin-partners-1202182405/|archive-date=May 19, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} and War Driver (announced in 2020).{{cite web|url=https://www.varietyinsight.com/production_restart_full_view.php?track_id=153161|title=Film and TV Projects Going Into Production – War Driver|website=Variety Insight|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520185932/https://www.varietyinsight.com/production_restart_full_view.php?track_id=153161|archive-date=May 20, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 20, 2021}} As of May 2021, Variety Insight reports The Pool, The Travelers, and War Driver have been canceled.
In October 2022, it was announced they would direct and produce a musical adaptation of the video game The Oregon Trail.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/the-oregon-trail-movie-musical-josh-gordon-will-speck-benj-pasek-justin-paul/|title=The Oregon Trail: The Iconic Video Game is Being Made Into Movie Musical [Exclusive]|date=October 5, 2022|first=Ryan|last=O'Rourke|website=Collider|access-date=October 6, 2022}}
Filmography
Short film
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Directors ! Writers ! {{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| rowspan=2| 1997
| Angry Boy | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Culture
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | align="center" | {{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/making-something-out-of-nothing-will-speck-and-josh-gordon-on-office-christmas-party|title=Making Something Out Of Nothing: Will Speck and Josh Gordon on 'Office Christmas Party'|date=December 5, 2016|first=Matt|last=Fagerholm|website=RogerEbert.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116124637/https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/making-something-out-of-nothing-will-speck-and-josh-gordon-on-office-christmas-party|archive-date=January 16, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021}} |
Feature film
=Television=
| class="wikitable"
|+Key | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Projects that have not yet been released}} |Denotes projects that have not yet been released |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.speckgordon.com/home}}
- {{IMDb name|0817447|Will Speck}}
- {{IMDb name|0330347|Josh Gordon}}
{{Will Speck and Josh Gordon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Speck, Will}}
Category:Film directors from New York City
Category:American male screenwriters
Category:American male television writers
Category:American television writers
Category:American television directors
Category:American television producers
Category:American comedy film directors
Category:American fantasy film directors