Phil Lord and Christopher Miller | |
|---|---|
 Lord (right) and Miller (left) at the 2025San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born |
|
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | Robyn Murgio (Miller) |
| Children | 2 (Miller) |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) |
Philip Anderson Lord (born July 12, 1975) andChristopher Robert Miller (born September 23, 1975) are an American filmmaking and acting duo. Their films are known for subversion of genre and detailed visual sensation, spanning various styles of live-action and animation. They are the co-creators, co-stars, and co-heads of the adult animated sitcomClone High (2002–2003, 2023–2024), and the writers and directors of the animated filmsCloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009) andThe Lego Movie (2014), as well as the directors of the live-action comedy film21 Jump Street (2012) and its sequel,22 Jump Street (2014).
Lord and Miller are best known for theCloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,The Lego Movie andSpider-Verse franchises, which won them theAcademy Award for Best Animated Feature forSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and a nomination for the aforementioned award for producing the sequel,Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023). They have also worked on the television seriesThe Last Man on Earth (2015–2018) forFox,Unikitty! (2017–2020) forCartoon Network, and most recentlyThe Afterparty (2022–2023) forApple TV+.
Lord is fromMiami; his mother is aCuban-born psychologist, and his father retired from the aviation business and before that directed a dance company, Fusion, for 10 years. Miller is fromSeattle, where his father runs a lumber mill.[3]
Lord and Miller both grew up making short films with an affinity for animation. They both attendedDartmouth College, where they first met, and had separate comics in the school newspaper,The Dartmouth. Lord was a member ofAmarna, a co-ed undergraduate society while Miller was a brother atAlpha Chi Alpha. During his time in college, Miller met his girlfriend, now wife.
During their time at Dartmouth, the school paper published a profile on Miller, which caught the attention ofMichael Eisner, then chairman ofDisney. According to Lord, Eisner brought the profile to the attention of his fellow Disney executives who offered to set up a meeting with Miller. Miller agreed to the meeting as long as he could bring Lord. After three months, the two moved to Los Angeles and after one meeting were offered a two-year development deal atWalt Disney Television Animation.[4]
Though nothing they pitched made it to air, they produced the pilot toClone High, which was subsequently dropped byFox. After they wrote and produced on a series of sitcoms,MTV informed the duo that they were interested in purchasing a 13-episode season ofClone High. Although the show was met with acclaim, MTV canceled the series afterhunger strike protests occurred in India over the show's portrayal of Gandhi as a motor-mouthed partier.[5]
In 2003, the two were tapped to write a screenplay forCloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, their first feature film. After a year working on the script, they were fired for story issues and replaced with new writers, who after a year were fired themselves. Lord and Miller were re-hired in 2006. The two completely redid the script, this time with the creative input of their crew. The new draft had the protagonist as a failed inventor who wanted to prove himself to his town. The two were almost fired again afterAmy Pascal, the head ofSony Pictures at the time, criticized the film for a lack of story. Although the film succeeded on the comedic front in theanimatic stage, Pascal cited the lack of an anchoring relationship in the film as a failure in the story telling. Unable to create new characters and environments to suit the new story demands, the two elevated the character of the tackle shop extra to be the protagonist's father, thereby creating the relationship Pascal had requested.[6]
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was released in 2009 to positive reviews.
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AfterCloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was released, the two sought to try to make something different and pitched themselves as possible directors for the21 Jump Street script thatMichael Bacall andJonah Hill had written. The studio agreed and the two directed their first live-action R-rated film, released to critical acclaim, which led to the production of the sequel22 Jump Street.
In an interview withRobert K. Elder for his bookThe Best Film You've Never Seen, Lord stated that "in an animated feature, you remake the movie three or four times, and it's really easy to get bummed out that the way you did it before didn't get greenlit, didn't get paid, and you're making a totally different version of that movie."[7]
During the production of21 Jump Street, they pitched a take on a possible Lego film toDan Lin. Lin andWarner Bros. loved the take, so Lord and Miller wrote and eventually directed their third feature film together,The Lego Movie. The duo were picked by Warner Bros. to write the story treatment for the then-upcoming superhero filmThe Flash, but dropped out of the project in favor of directing the then-untitledSolo: A Star Wars Story.[8] The duo were picked bySony Pictures Animation in 2015 to create an animatedSpider-Man film, with the option to direct. The film was eventually made asSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), which the duo produced and which Lord co-wrote.[9]
The duo have developed a live-action/animated series,Son of Zorn, forFox, withJason Sudeikis voicing the lead role of animated character Zorn, andJohnny Pemberton andCheryl Hines playing the live-action roles.[10] They are producing a cable-TV drama based on the popularNPR/This American Life spinoff podcastSerial.[11]
In January 2017, Lord and Miller began directing the then-untitled filmSolo: A Star Wars Story, a standaloneStar Wars movie based on theHan Solo character. On June 20, 2017, it was reported that they had been fired from the project byLucasfilm, after over four-and-a-half months of filming, about three-quarters through principal photography.[12] Lucasfilm announced that "creative differences" were the reason, withEntertainment Weekly reporting that Lord and Miller were going off-script and trying to make the film into more of a comedy. They were unwilling to compromise with Lucasfilm and writerLawrence Kasdan on the direction of the film, preferring their vision. Two days later,Ron Howard was announced as the replacement, to complete the film and reshoots.[13][14] Lord and Miller received executive-producer credits onSolo: A Star Wars Story.[15]
In November 2017, Lord and Miller commented on their departure fromSolo: A Star Wars Story. Lord stated "The experience of shooting the movie was wonderful. We had the most incredible cast and crew and collaborators. [...] We're really proud of the work we did on the movie and we wish everybody the best." Miller added "As Phil said, we had such a great relationship with cast and crew, we were really rooting for them. After we took a much-needed vacation, we got back into it and now we're writing and producing asequel toThe Lego Movie and producing aMiles Moralesanimated Spider-Man."[16]
In August 2019, Lord and Miller signed afirst-look deal withUniversal Pictures.[17][18]
In 2021, Lord and Miller produced two animated films that were distributed throughNetflix. The first wasThe Mitchells vs. the Machines for Sony Pictures Animation.[19] They also produced an R-rated animatedNetflix original film calledAmerica: The Motion Picture alongside Will Allegra,Matt Thompson,David Callaham,Channing Tatum,Reid Carolin and Peter Kiernan from a screenplay by Callaham and directed by Thompson.[20][21]
In June 2020, it was reported that Lord and Miller would be developing an eight-episode television series titledThe Afterparty forApple TV+. The series is a murder mystery comedy set at a high school reunion where each episode features a retelling of the same night told through a different character's point of view.[22] Miller created and directed the series, while serving as an executive producer alongside Lord. The series premiered on January 28, 2022, to critical acclaim.
On November 1, 2019, it was announced that Lord and Miller would be returning as producers and writers forSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which was released on June 2, 2023.[23][24] In December 2021, Lord and Miller revealed thatAcross the Spider-Verse was being split into two parts after they had written down the story they wanted to tell for the sequel and realized that it was too much for a single film. Work on both parts was taking place simultaneously, or at least believed to be until June 2023 whenanimators claimed they were overworked to complete Part One,[25] with Part Two since renamed toSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.[23][26] A release date has yet to be announced, as the film was removed from the release schedule on July 28, 2023, reportedly due to the then-ongoing2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[27] Its original release date of March 29, 2024, was taken byGhostbusters: Frozen Empire. Recording of voice lines were set to resume on November 9, 2023, following the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike,[28] and production was confirmed by Miller to have resumed the following month.[29] AtCinemaCon, Sony announced a release date of June 4, 2027.[30] By July, the film was further delayed to June 25, 2027,[31] and pushed forward to June 18, 2027 in September.
On July 2, 2020, it was announced thatMTV Entertainment Studios was developing a revival ofClone High, and that original series creators, Lord, Miller, andBill Lawrence would be involved with the project.[32] In February 2021, HBOMax ordered two seasons of the revival,[33] the first of which premiered on May 23, 2023.
As part of their first-look deal with Universal Pictures, Lord and Miller have produced two R-rated comedy films for the studio;Cocaine Bear, a comedy horror film which was inspired by the true story involving theeponymous bear,[34] andStrays, a comedy about talking dogs.[35]
In April 2019, they made a five-year deal withSony Pictures Television to develop an animated Marvel series, including a possibleInto the Spider-Verse series.[36]
On May 15, 2020,Variety reported that Lord and Miller are attached to direct afilm adaptation ofAndy Weir's next novelProject Hail Mary forMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer, withRyan Gosling attached to star in the leading role andAmy Pascal producing.[37] Filming began in June 2024 in the United Kingdom.[38] The film is scheduled to be released on March 20, 2026.[39]
In October 2023, writerDennis E. Taylor, author of theBobiverse series, announced that a potential adaptation had been optioned to Lord Miller Productions for distribution through Universal Pictures.[40]
In August 2025, it was announced that Lord and Miller would be developing a feature adaptation film based onArchie Comics at Universal Pictures, withTom King attached to pen the screenplay.[41]
Lord and Miller are producing a sequel toThe Mitchells vs. the Machines.[42]
Lord co-wrote the comicSpider-Man Annual #1, marking his first involvement on a comic book;[43] he and Miller also co-wrote a Marvel comic celebrating the company's 80th anniversary, marking Miller's first time writing a comic book.[44][45]
In September 2020, it was announced that a live-action television series based on the characterSilk was in development, with both Lord and Miller serving as executive producers alongside Amy Pascal.[46] The series, which is part ofSony's Spider-Man Universe, would be ordered byMGM+ andAmazon Prime Video under the titleSilk: Spider Society, withAngela Kang serving as the showrunner.[47][48] However, in February 2024, the series was redeveloped for a more "male-skewing" audience with thewriters' room paused,[49] and in May the same year, Amazon dropped the series, with Sony shopping it to other potential buyers.[50][51] Lord and Miller are set to produce theSpider-Noir live-action television series for MGM+.[52]
Lord and Miller also produced the Spanish-language drama film,Los Frikis.[53]
Lord and Miller are regarded asauteur filmmakers, although they dislike being associated with that term. Their films are noted for their bold visual sensation, extensive detail, usage of improvisation, andmetamodernist approach to narrative and aesthetics. Though they slightly change their process between live-action and animation, Lord & Miller typically favor a formalist aesthetic, with hard cuts, usage ofprimary colors, and exaggeratedmise-en-scene being defining parts of their style.
Thematically, their films explore friendship, creativity, and being an outsider. Much of their process was influenced by their time atClone High andCloudy, where they learned from future collaboratorAmy Pascal about collaboration and emotion. They admit to using properties likeLEGO,Jump Street, andSpiderVerse as a springboard for personal expression, with Lord stating: "It comes from trying not to be vain about what you're making on the surface...Like, who cares if [The Lego Movie is] based on a popular toy brand? It's still an opportunity to make something really interesting. I think we've always approached these things as a way to express ourselves personally, which no one does!" Because of this approach, their work gained a following for transforming "cynical" studio concepts into critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. Due to their hands-on filmmaking process and improvisational approach to storytelling, they are seen as perfectionists.[54][55]
Lord and Miller have citedRobert Altman,Hal Ashby,Stanley Kubrick,Bill Plympton,the Coen brothers,Spike Lee,Akira Kurosawa,Billy Wilder,Chuck Jones,Matt Groening,George Lucas,Ingmar Bergman, andTim Burton as influences. Their favorite films includeThe Wizard of Oz (1939),Rashomon (1950),Singin' in the Rain (1952),2001: A Space Odyssey (1968),McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971),Harold and Maude (1971),The Hot Rock (1972),Star Wars (1977),The Muppet Movie (1979),Popeye (1980),American Pop (1981),Howard the Duck (1986),Matewan (1987),The Beaver Trilogy (2000), andSpeed Racer (2008).[56][57]
| Year | Title | Director(s) | Writer(s) | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Extreme Movie | No | Yes | No |
| 2009 | Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2012 | 21 Jump Street | Yes | No | No |
| 2013 | Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 | No | Story | Executive |
| 2014 | The Lego Movie | Yes | Yes | No |
| 22 Jump Street | Yes | No | Executive | |
| 2016 | Storks | No | No | Executive |
| 2017 | Brigsby Bear | No | No | Yes |
| The Lego Batman Movie | No | No | Yes | |
| The Lego Ninjago Movie | No | No | Yes | |
| 2018 | Solo: A Star Wars Story | Uncredited | No | Executive |
| Smallfoot | No | No | Executive | |
| Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse | No | Phil Lord | Yes | |
| 2019 | The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part | No | Yes | Yes |
| 2021 | The Mitchells vs. the Machines | No | No | Yes |
| America: The Motion Picture | No | No | Yes | |
| 2023 | Cocaine Bear | No | No | Yes |
| Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Strays | No | No | Yes | |
| 2024 | Los Frikis | No | No | Yes |
| 2026 | SOULM8TE | No | Story | No |
| Project Hail Mary | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie | No | No | Executive | |
| 2027 | Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse | No | Yes | Yes |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Open Season | Special thanks |
| 2007 | Surf's Up | |
| 2008 | Igor | |
| 2014 | Annie | Directors:MoonQuake Lake scenes |
| 2016 | Sausage Party | Special thanks |
| Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | ||
| 2017 | Baby Driver | |
| 2023 | The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story | Special thanks Credited as Lord Miller Productions |
| Year | Title | Creators /Showrunners | Directors | Writers | Producers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane | No | No | Yes | No | Episode: "Crossing the Line" |
| 2001 | Go Fish | No | No | Yes | No | Episode: "Go Wrestling" |
| 2002–2003, 2023–2024 | Clone High | Yes | Supervising | Yes | Executive | 33 episodes |
| 2003 | Luis | No | No | No | Supervising | 5 episodes |
| 2004 | Method & Red | No | No | Yes | Consulting | 9 episodes Episodes: "Well Well Well", "Da Shootout" and "A House Apart" |
| Cracking Up | No | No | No | Consulting | 6 episodes | |
| 2005–2006 | How I Met Your Mother | No | No | Yes | Executive | 17 episodes Episodes: "Sweet Taste of Liberty" & "Belly Full of Turkey" |
| 2013 | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | No | Yes | No | Executive | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2015–2018 | The Last Man on Earth | No | Yes | No | Executive | 67 episodes Episodes: "Alive in Tucson" & "The Elephant in the Room" |
| 2016–2017 | Son of Zorn | No | No | No | Executive | 13 episodes |
| 2017 | Making History | No | No | No | Executive | 9 episodes |
| 2017–2018 | Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs | No | No | No | Consulting | 104 episodes |
| 2017–2020 | Unikitty! | No | No | No | Executive | 104 episodes |
| 2019–2021 | Bless the Harts | No | No | No | Executive | 34 episodes |
| 2020 | Hoops | No | No | No | Executive | 10 episodes |
| 2022–2023 | The Afterparty | Christopher Miller | Christopher Miller | Yes | Executive | Miller: Showrunner, directed 10 episodes and wrote 6 episodes Lord: wrote "Zoe" |
| 2026 | Spider-Noir | No | No | No | Executive |
| Year | Title | Role as | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Lord | Christopher Miller | |||
| 1997 | The Empire Strikes Back | — | Stormtrooper | Special Edition re-release[58] |
| 1998–1999 | Caroline in the City | Bill | Cliff | 3 episodes |
| 2002–2003, 2023–2024 | Clone High | Principal Dr. Cinnamon J. Scudworth / Genghis Khan | JFK / Vice Principal Mr. Butlertron | Voice roles, 33 episodes |
| 2007 | How I Met Your Mother | Too Much Tongue Guy | — | Episode: "How I Met Everyone Else" |
| 2014 | The Lego Movie | — | TV announcer | Voice role |
| 2015 | A Lego Brickumentary | Himself | Himself | Documentary film |
| 2019 | The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part | — | Chad, horse, chocolate bar, Plantimals,Paperboy | Voice role |
| 2020 | Lego Masters | Himself | Himself | Episode: "Movie Genres" |
| TBA | Shrek 2 Retold | TBA | Prince Charming | Voice roles[59][60] |
