Francis Lawrence | |
|---|---|
 Lawrence at the 2015San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | (1971-03-26)March 26, 1971 (age 54) Vienna, Austria |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Loyola Marymount University |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1993–present |
| Works | Full list |
Francis Lawrence (born March 26, 1971)[1] is an American film director and producer. After establishing himself as a director of music videos and commercials, Lawrence made his feature-length directorial debut with the superhero thrillerConstantine (2005) and has since directed thepost-apocalyptic horror filmI Am Legend (2007), the romantic dramaWater for Elephants (2011), the dystopian science fiction adventure seriesThe Hunger Games (2013–present), the spy thrillerRed Sparrow (2018), and the action war dramaThe Long Walk (2025).
Lawrence was born to Jewish-American parents inVienna, Austria. His father was a theoretical physicist who taught atCalifornia State University, Northridge, and his mother is a vice president of technology at a public-relations agency based in his hometown.[2][3]
He moved to Los Angeles at the age of four.[2] Lawrence worked as second assistant camera on the featurePump Up the Volume directed byAllan Moyle prior to earning his bachelor's degree in film production atLoyola Marymount University Film School.
He went on to work as first assistant director on the featureMarching Out of Time directed byAnton Vassil in 1993. Lawrence then joined ex-classmate Michael Jason Rosen in co-directing music videos. Lawrence directed his first music videos for the San Jose band A Western Front. Rosen and Lawrence made the two videos for a total of $3,000 with Jeffrey Michael Cutter, another ex-classmate, shooting for them. Lawrence, Rosen, and Cutter also made a video for Michael Blakey, president of Atico Records and Tidal Force drummer, for that band's single, "A Man Rides Through". Soon, Lawrence became known for his original and imaginative music video scripts and visual directing style.
He eventually joined a major new production company and his successful career as music video director includes having worked with starsRihanna,Green Day,Britney Spears,Black Eyed Peas,Jay-Z,Melanie C,Avril Lavigne,Aerosmith,Janet Jackson,Jennifer Lopez,Lady Gaga,Fastball,Lisa Marie Presley,Destiny's Child,Garbage,Goo Goo Dolls,Gwen Stefani,Shakira,Pink,Nelly Furtado,En Vogue,Monica,Missy Elliott,Justin Timberlake, and theBackstreet Boys. In 2002, he won aLatin Grammy Award forBest Short Music Video for directing Shakira's "Suerte" music video.[4] He has also directed numerouscommercials for clients such asCoca-Cola,L'Oréal,Calvin Klein,Pepsi-Cola,Maybelline,Kid's Footlocker,Bacardi,McDonald's,GAP,Bud Light,CoverGirl,Oldsmobile, andDisneyland. In 2005, his feature-film debut wasConstantine, based on theHellblazer comic book, starringKeanu Reeves.
In 2007, he directedI Am Legend (based on theRichard Mathesonnovel), withWill Smith. In 2011, he directedWater for Elephants. In 2012, Lawrence directed and executive produced the pilot episode of theFoxparanormal seriesTouch.[5] He is currently signed to DNA Inc. In 2011, he won aGrammy Award forBest Music Video, Short Form for directingLady Gaga's "Bad Romance" music video.
In April 2012,Lionsgate announced that Lawrence had been selected to direct the film adaptation of the novelCatching Fire.[6][7] The book and film were the sequel to the blockbuster hitThe Hunger Games, starringJennifer Lawrence (no relation). This film adaptation ofThe Hunger Games was directed byGary Ross, and both novels were written bySuzanne Collins. Lawrence was officially confirmed as the director for the film on May 3, 2012.[8]
He returned to direct the two final parts of the series,The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) andPart 2 (2015).[9] Lawrence is currently working on a film adaptation of the novelSurvivor byChuck Palahniuk.
Lawrence directedRed Sparrow, based on thenovel of the same name byJason Matthews, and featuringThe Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence andJoel Edgerton. The film was released on March 2, 2018.
Lawrence signed on to directThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, an adaptation of theHunger Gamesprequel novel by original authorSuzanne Collins, in April 2020. The film was released on November 17, 2023.[10][11][12]
In March 2021, his about:blank production company struck a deal withNew Republic Pictures.[13] Their first project together will be an adaptation of thePhilip K. Dick novelVulcan's Hammer, announced in November 2021.[14] In March 2022, it was announced that Lawrence would be directing a feature adaptation of Kevin J. Anderson and Steven L. Sears’Stalag-X, to be written byJoy Wilkinson.[15] In April 2022, it was announced that Lawrence will be one of the executive producers ofChief of War forApple TV+.[16]
In August 2022, TheWrap reported that Lawrence had signed withNetflix to direct an adaptation ofBioShock, inspired by the 2K Games franchise. In September of the same year, Deadline reported that the director would also be returning to direct a sequel toConstantine.
In November 2023, it was announced that Lawrence would direct and produceThe Long Walk for Lionsgate, based onthe novel byStephen King and published under the pseudonym "Richard Bachman".[17] Production began inManitoba in July 2024, withCooper Hoffman,David Jonsson,Charlie Plummer, andRoman Griffin Davis among the cast.[18] Most recently, the company had signed a first-look deal with Lionsgate to produce projects.[19]
| Year | Title | Distributor |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Constantine | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| 2007 | I Am Legend | |
| 2011 | Water for Elephants | 20th Century Fox |
| 2013 | The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | Lionsgate |
| 2014 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 | |
| 2015 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 | |
| 2018 | Red Sparrow | 20th Century Fox |
| 2022 | Slumberland | Netflix |
| 2023 | The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | Lionsgate |
| 2025 | The Long Walk | |
| 2026 | The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping |
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