Eric Heisserer | |
|---|---|
 Heisserer in 2021 | |
| Born | Eric Andrew Heisserer 1970 (age 54–55) Norman, Oklahoma, U.S |
| Occupation(s) | Filmmaker, comic book writer, television writer, television producer |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Spouse | |
Eric Andrew Heisserer (born 1970) is an American filmmaker, comic book writer, television writer, and television producer. His screenplay for the filmArrival earned him aBest Adapted Screenplay nomination at the89th Academy Awards in 2016.
Heisserer's professional screenwriting career was launched with the sale ofThe Dionaea House to Warner Bros. in 2005,[1] based on an onlineepistolary story of the same name[2] that he wrote from autumn 2004 to winter 2006.[1]The Dionaea House was a multimedia novel told across multiple blogs run by fictional characters, and concerned an ominous house that existed in multiple places across the United States. It is considered to be one of the first popularcreepypasta stories. He then developed an original television pilot forParamount Pictures andCBS, and wrote feature projects forJerry Bruckheimer Films andWarner Bros.[3] In 2007, he sold a pitch toRegency Enterprises and Fox calledInhuman, a supernatural thriller set in Tokyo that combines live action and anime sequences, as well as a coming-of-age horror script titledDustycats, about a teenage girl who discovers she transforms into awerecat when aroused.[4]
In December 2008, Heisserer was hired to re-envision and rewrite the script for the franchise reboot ofA Nightmare on Elm Street, produced byPlatinum Dunes.[5] An early draft had been written byWesley Strick. The script went on to land directorSamuel Bayer, actorJackie Earle Haley, and began filming in May 2009.[6]
He rewrote the prequel to directorJohn Carpenter's 1982 remakeThe Thing.[7] In April 2010, Heisserer signed on to writeFinal Destination 5,[8] the fifth film of thehorror film franchise.
Heisserer made his directorial debut with the filmHours, starringPaul Walker.[9] Heisserer co-wroteThe Conjuring 2 along with the brothersChad Hayes andCarey Hayes.[10] Heisserer wrote along with artist Felipe Massafera and Colorist Wes Dzioba, the comic book series Shaper.[11]
Heisserer wrote the 2016 filmArrival based onTed Chiang's novella "Story of Your Life". Heisserer has said that he was attracted to the challenge of adapting the non-linear story by its emotional content.[12] After the release of the film, he was nominated forBest Adapted Screenplay at the89th Academy Awards.
In July 2017, Heisserer announced that he was developing a science fiction series based on anotherTed Chiang story, "Liking What You See: A Documentary", for AMC. The series will explore concepts such as beauty, relationships, and advertising.[13]
On September 27, 2017, there was an announcement that Heisserer would write the script for the live-action remake of the sci-fi romance animeYour Name. By September 2020, he was replaced byLee Isaac Chung andEmily V. Gordon.[14]
Heisserer wrote the script forBird Box (2018), based on the thriller bookBird Box, byJosh Malerman.[15][16] Released byNetflix, the film starsSandra Bullock and was directed bySusanne Bier.[17]
Heisserer formerly served as creator, head writer, show runner, and executive producer of the adapted 2021Netflix seriesShadow and Bone, an adaptation of the fantasy book seriesThe Grisha Trilogy and theSix of Crows Duology.[18] The show ran for two seasons before being cancelled byNetflix in November 2023.[19]
His debut novel,Simultaneous, released on October 28, 2025.
Heisserer is the son of Margaret L., a senior editor for a publishing company, and Andrew J. Heisserer, a professor of ancient history, ofNorman, Oklahoma. Heisserer married television producer/writerChristine Boylan in 2010. His previous marriage ended in divorce.[20]
Heisserer identifies as agnostic.[21]
Film
| Year | Title | Writer | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | A Nightmare on Elm Street | Yes | No | Co-written withWesley Strick |
| 2011 | Final Destination 5 | Yes | No | |
| The Thing | Yes | No | ||
| 2013 | Hours | Yes | No | Also director |
| 2016 | Lights Out | Yes | Yes | |
| Arrival | Yes | Executive | Saturn Award for Best Writing Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Screenplay Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated –Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated –BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated –Chicago Film Critics Award for Best Adapted Screenplay | |
| 2018 | Bird Box | Yes | Executive | |
| 2020 | Bloodshot | Yes | No | Co-written withJeff Wadlow |
Television
| Year | Title | Writer | Executive Producer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–2023 | Shadow and Bone | Yes | Yes |
He wrote the book "150 Screenwriting Challenges", containing exercises to help screenwriters develop their skills.[22] It was published in November 2013.
