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Correcting some things: spelling, syntax, and what he actually did with Dawn of the Dead: he's credited with the script for the 2004 film; rm some info that belongs on the Slither page.
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==Biography==
==Biography==
Gunn's siblings include actor [[Sean Gunn]], actor and political writer [[Matt Gunn]], producer Patrick Gunn (previously Executive Vice President of [[Artisan Entertainment]]) and writer [[Brian Gunn]]. James and all of his male siblings attended the same high school, [[St. Louis University High]]. Gunn attended [[Saint Louis University]] for his B.A. in Theatre. He continued his graduate studies at [[Columbia University]], getting his MFA in Creative Writing. He married television and film actress [[Jenna Fischer]] in October 2000, but they announced their separation on [[September 5]] [[2007]].<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/peopleNews/idUSN0525685020070906 Office actress Fischer, husband separate] (September 2007), Reuters.</ref>
Gunn has several siblings in the industry, including actor [[Sean Gunn]], actor and political writer [[Matt Gunn]], producer Patrick Gunn (previously Executive Vice President of [[Artisan Entertainment]]) and writer [[Brian Gunn]]. James and all of his male siblings attended the same high school, [[St. Louis University High]]. Gunn attended [[Saint Louis University]] for his B.A. in Theatre. He continued his graduate studies at [[Columbia University]], getting his MFA in Creative Writing. He married television and film actress [[Jenna Fischer]] in October 2000, but they announced their separation on [[September 5]] [[2007]].<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/peopleNews/idUSN0525685020070906 Office actress Fischer, husband separate] (September 2007), Reuters.</ref>


The character of [[Charles Gunn]] from the TV series ''[[Angel (TV series)|Angel]]'' is named after Charles and Sean Gunn.<ref>http://smgfan.com/sd_premiere_jg.htm</ref>
The character of [[Charles Gunn]] from the TV series ''[[Angel (TV series)|Angel]]'' is named after Charles and Sean Gunn.<ref>http://smgfan.com/sd_premiere_jg.htm</ref>
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Gunn began his film making career with [[Troma Entertainment]], for whom he wrote and co-directed ''[[Tromeo and Juliet]]'' (1996). After contributing to several other Troma films, Gunn wrote, produced and performed in his own superhero comedy, ''[[The Specials (movie)|The Specials]]'', directed by [[Craig Mazin]] and featuring [[Rob Lowe]], [[Thomas Haden Church]], [[Melissa Joan Hart]], [[Judy Greer]] and [[Jamie Kennedy]]. Kennedy was instrumental in getting the film made, having been shown the script by James' brother Sean. Gunn lived in Kennedy's guest house while shooting the film.
Gunn began his film making career with [[Troma Entertainment]], for whom he wrote and co-directed ''[[Tromeo and Juliet]]'' (1996). After contributing to several other Troma films, Gunn wrote, produced and performed in his own superhero comedy, ''[[The Specials (movie)|The Specials]]'', directed by [[Craig Mazin]] and featuring [[Rob Lowe]], [[Thomas Haden Church]], [[Melissa Joan Hart]], [[Judy Greer]] and [[Jamie Kennedy]]. Kennedy was instrumental in getting the film made, having been shown the script by James' brother Sean. Gunn lived in Kennedy's guest house while shooting the film.


Gunn's first major Hollywood screenplay was ''[[Scooby-Doo (film)|Scooby-Doo]]'' in 2002. In 2004, he wrote the initial screenplay for the remake of ''[[Dawn of the Dead (2004 film)|Dawn of the Dead]]'', but left the project early to work on ''[[Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed]]''. The same year he also wrote, produced, and appeared in the mockumentary ''[[LolliLove]]'', directed by and starring his wife Fischer. His directorial debut was ''[[Slither (film)|Slither]]'', a comedy horror film which was inspired by classic alien invasion films such as ''[[The Thing]]'' and particularly ''[[Night of the Creeps]]''.<ref name="r769695">http://movies.go.com/slither/r769695/horror</ref><ref name="ID=24375">http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=24375</ref><ref name="slither-0614.html">http://www.metroactive.com/bohemian/04.05.06/slither-0614.html</ref> ''Slither'' grossed $7,802,450 in its theatrical run in the United States and Canada,<ref name="bom"/>, with a worldwide gross of $12,082,386.<ref name="bom">{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=slither.htm | title=Slither (2006) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-09-22 }}</ref> substantially less than its total budget of $29.5 million, including marketing costs. However, the film review website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], which calculates the consensus of critics across the USA, found that "Slither" was generally embraced favorably by critics,<ref>http://www.rottentomatoes.com/features/rtawards/movie_2006.php?r=21&mid=1159017&type=w</ref> with a rating of "84% fresh".<ref>http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/slither/</ref>
Gunn's first major Hollywood screenplay was ''[[Scooby-Doo (film)|Scooby-Doo]]'' in 2002. In 2004 he wrote the initial screenplay draft for the remake of ''[[Dawn of the Dead (2004 film)|Dawn of the Dead]]'', but left the project early to work on ''[[Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed]]''. The same year he also wrote, produced, and appeared in the mockumentary ''[[LolliLove]]'', directed by and starring his wife Fischer. His directorial debut was ''[[Slither (film)|Slither]]'', a comedy horror film that borrowed conventions and themes from classic alien invasion films such as ''[[The Blob]]'', ''[[Shivers (film)|Shivers]]'' and especially ''[[Night of the Creeps]]''.<ref>http://www.movie-vault.com/reviews/uEAJdDccEefelGay</ref>


Gunn has also written a novel, ''[[The Toy Collector]]'', and wrote another book alongside Troma President [[Lloyd Kaufman]], ''[[All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger]]'', about his experiences with Kaufman while at Troma. During his college years, he wrote comics for several college newspapers and underground magazines. As a musician, Gunn released one album with his band, [[The Icons]], ''Mom, We Like It Here on Earth'' (1994). He has written music for the films ''The Low Life'' (1994), as well as ''Scooby-Doo'' and ''Scooby-Doo 2''.
Gunn has also written a novel, ''[[The Toy Collector]]'', and wrote another book alongside Troma President [[Lloyd Kaufman]], ''[[All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger]]'', about his experiences with Kaufman while at Troma. During his college years, he wrote comics for several college newspapers and underground magazines. As a musician, Gunn released one album with his band, [[The Icons]], ''Mom, We Like It Here on Earth'' (1994). He has written music for the films ''The Low Life'' (1994), as well as ''Scooby-Doo'' and ''Scooby-Doo 2''.
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[[Category:Saint Louis University alumni]]
[[Category:Saint Louis University alumni]]
[[Category:Transgressive artists]]
[[Category:Transgressive artists]]



[[de:James Gunn]]
[[de:James Gunn]]

Revision as of 17:14, 23 September 2007

James Gunn
James Gunn (in green), along with his wife, Jenna Fischer, and actor Nathan Fillion, sign autographs at Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors Convention, 2006
James Gunn (in green), along with his wife, Jenna Fischer, and actor Nathan Fillion, sign autographs at Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors Convention, 2006
Born (1970-08-05) August 5, 1970 (age 54)
United States St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
OccupationScreenwriter
Director
Film producer
Novelist
Actor
Musician
NationalityAmerican

James Gunn (born August 5, 1970, St. Louis, Missouri) is an American writer, filmmaker, actor, musician and cartoonist.

Biography

Gunn has several siblings in the industry, including actor Sean Gunn, actor and political writer Matt Gunn, producer Patrick Gunn (previously Executive Vice President of Artisan Entertainment) and writer Brian Gunn. James and all of his male siblings attended the same high school, St. Louis University High. Gunn attended Saint Louis University for his B.A. in Theatre. He continued his graduate studies at Columbia University, getting his MFA in Creative Writing. He married television and film actress Jenna Fischer in October 2000, but they announced their separation on September 5 2007.[1]

The character of Charles Gunn from the TV series Angel is named after Charles and Sean Gunn.[2]

Career

Gunn's directorial debut SLiTHER

Gunn began his film making career with Troma Entertainment, for whom he wrote and co-directed Tromeo and Juliet (1996). After contributing to several other Troma films, Gunn wrote, produced and performed in his own superhero comedy, The Specials, directed by Craig Mazin and featuring Rob Lowe, Thomas Haden Church, Melissa Joan Hart, Judy Greer and Jamie Kennedy. Kennedy was instrumental in getting the film made, having been shown the script by James' brother Sean. Gunn lived in Kennedy's guest house while shooting the film.

Gunn's first major Hollywood screenplay was Scooby-Doo in 2002. In 2004 he wrote the initial screenplay draft for the remake of Dawn of the Dead, but left the project early to work on Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. The same year he also wrote, produced, and appeared in the mockumentary LolliLove, directed by and starring his wife Fischer. His directorial debut was Slither, a comedy horror film that borrowed conventions and themes from classic alien invasion films such as The Blob, Shivers and especially Night of the Creeps.[3]

Gunn has also written a novel, The Toy Collector, and wrote another book alongside Troma President Lloyd Kaufman, All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger, about his experiences with Kaufman while at Troma. During his college years, he wrote comics for several college newspapers and underground magazines. As a musician, Gunn released one album with his band, The Icons, Mom, We Like It Here on Earth (1994). He has written music for the films The Low Life (1994), as well as Scooby-Doo and Scooby-Doo 2.

Partial filmography

Bibliography

  • All I Need to Know About Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger with Lloyd Kaufman (1998)
  • The Toy Collector (2000)
  • Make Your Own Damn Movie: Secrets of a Renegade Director (introduction) (2003)

References

  1. ^ Office actress Fischer, husband separate (September 2007), Reuters.
  2. ^ http://smgfan.com/sd_premiere_jg.htm
  3. ^ http://www.movie-vault.com/reviews/uEAJdDccEefelGay
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