Andrés Walter Muschietti (Spanish: [musˈkjeti];[1] born 26 August 1973) is an Argentine film director and screenwriter who had his breakthrough with the 2013 film Mama. He gained further recognition for directing both films in the It film series, the 2017 film adaptation of the Stephen King novel and its 2019 sequel, It Chapter Two. In 2023, he directed the DC Extended Universe film The Flash.

Andy Muschietti
Muschietti in 2016
Born
Andrés Walter Muschietti

(1973-08-26) 26 August 1973 (age 51)
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
Years active1995–present
RelativesBarbara Muschietti (sister)

Early life

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Muschietti was born and raised in Vicente López, Buenos Aires and has one older sister, Barbara Muschietti.[2] Both he and his sister studied at Fundación Universidad del Cine. He worked as a storyboard artist during his early years in the film industry. He is of Italian-Argentine ancestry.

Career

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In 2013, Muschietti directed his debut film, the supernatural horror Mama, which he co-wrote with Neil Cross and his sister Barbara Muschietti, with the latter also acting as producer.[3][4][5] It was based on Muschietti's three-minute short film Mamá, which attracted Guillermo del Toro, who stated that it had the "scariest" scenes he had "ever seen." The short convinced del Toro to executive produce the feature-length film,[6] which starred Jessica Chastain, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Megan Charpentier and Isabelle Nelisse, and was released by Universal Pictures on 18 January 2013.[6][7] The film had had a budget of $15 million, and grossed more than $146 million.[8]

In September 2013, Universal hired Muschietti for a reboot of The Mummy franchise, but he left the project in May 2014 due to creative differences with Jon Spaihts' draft of the script.[9][10]

In July 2015, after the departure of Cary Joji Fukunaga, Muschietti was hired by New Line Cinema to direct It, the two-part adaptation of the Stephen King novel. Barbara produced it, along with Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg. The film was released in two chapters in 2017 and 2019.[11]

In July 2019, Muschietti entered into negotiations to direct The Flash, a film set in the DC Extended Universe, from a screenplay by Christina Hodson; his sister, Barbara, was set to serve as a producer. Muschetti was the fifth director to have been attached to The Flash (Seth Grahame-Smith, Rick Famuyiwa, John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein had previously been attached to it at various points).[12] In August 2019, Muschietti confirmed that The Flash would be his next project, following the release of It Chapter Two.[13]

In April 2021, Andy and Barbara Muschietti formed their own production company, called Double Dream, with The Flash serving as the company’s first project.[14]

The Flash had its world premiere on 25 April 2023 at CinemaCon; this was followed by a wide release on 16 June 2023.[15][16][17]

In June 2023, Muschietti was reported to be the studio's top choice to direct The Brave and the Bold for the DC Universe. Muschietti would not formally commit to the film until a script materialized after the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike concluded.[18] Muschietti was confirmed to sign on later in the month.[19] Later that month, he, Barbara and their production company Double Dream signed parallel three-year first-look deals with Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television Group., and Max.[20]

Previously announced projects

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Since 2013, Muschietti has been reported to be involved in, or under consideration for, several other projects that have yet to come to fruition and whose status has not been publicly updated.

In February 2013, Universal Pictures announced Muschietti would direct the film adaptation of the Josh Malerman novel Bird Box, which Scott Stuber, Chris Morgan and Barbara would produce, with Eric Heisserer set to write the script.[21][22]

In January 2014, Muschietti was reportedly among front-runners to direct a He-Man film for Warner Bros. Pictures, a remake of Masters of the Universe.[23] In June 2014, Deadline reported that Muschietti was on the shortlist of directors to direct a sequel to the fantasy film Snow White and the Huntsman[24] for Universal.

In September 2014, Sony Pictures tapped Muschietti to direct the film adaptation of Shadow of the Colossus after Josh Trank left due to a commitment to an upcoming Star Wars spin-off. Barbara was set to co-produce the film with Kevin Misher, and Seth Lochhead was set to write the screenplay.[25]

In February 2015, Deadline reported that Sony was looking to hire Muschietti to direct a live-action Robotech project, with Gianni Nunnari and Mark Canton attached to produce, and Michael B. Gordon to serve as screenwriter.[26]

In March 2015, Plan B Entertainment optioned the film rights to Stephen King's short story "The Jaunt" from the Skeleton Crew collection, with Muschietti to direct and Barbara attached as producer.[27]

In September 2017, Deadline reported that Muschietti was attached to a film version of the book Dracul.[28]

In December 2017, it was announced that Muschietti was in talks to direct the film adaptation of the sci-fi novel The Electric State by Simon Stålenhag, with the Russo brothers producing alongside Andy and Barbara Muschietti.[29] In December 2020, it was announced that the Russos would now direct the film, with the Muschiettis still involved as executive producers.[30]

In October 2018, it was announced that Muschietti would direct a Warner Bros. live-action film reboot of Attack on Titan.[31]

In August 2019, it was announced that Muschietti would produce a film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel Roadwork, with Pablo Trapero directing.[32]

In January 2020, it was announced that Muschietti will direct a remake of The Howling for Netflix.[33][34]

Filmography

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Short film

Year Title Director Writer Notes
1999 Nostalgia en la mesa 8 Yes Yes Segment of Historias breves III
2008 Mamá Yes Yes

Feature film

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Director

Executive producer

Acting roles

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Una noche con Sabrina Love TV switcher
2019 It Chapter Two Customer at pharmacy Uncredited
2023 The Flash Reporter with hot dog
2024 Música Subway Busker Cameo

Other credits

Year Title Role
1995 Fotos del alma Assistant director
1996 Moebius Public relations manager
Evita Set production assistant
2000 Una noche con Sabrina Love Second assistant director

Television

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Year Title Director Executive
Producer
Notes
2020–2022 Locke & Key No Yes
2025 It: Welcome to Derry Yes Yes 4 episodes

References

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  1. ^ Murphy, Mekado (6 September 2017). "Anatomy of a Scene | 'It'". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  2. ^ Harding, Oscar. "Mama: Interview With Director Andrés Muschietti". whatculture.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  3. ^ Chang, Justin (15 January 2013). "Mama". Variety.
  4. ^ Rolfe, Pamela (17 April 2013). "Bittersweet Results for Spanish Box Office in First Quarter". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  5. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (5 May 2013). "Studios Translate Local Language Movies Into Lucrative Global Business". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  6. ^ a b Couch, Aaron (29 December 2012). "Guillermo Del Toro Plugs 'Claustrophobic' 'Mama' Short (Video)". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  7. ^ "Universal Eyes 'Mama' Sequel Although Director Andrés Muschietti Isn't Interested". Uproxx. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Mama (2013)". boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  9. ^ Kit, Borys (13 September 2013). "'Mama' Director in Talks to Helm 'Mummy' Reboot for Universal". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  10. ^ Sneider, Jeff (6 May 2014). "'Mummy' Reboot Loses 'Mama' Director Andy Muschetti". thewrap.com. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  11. ^ Kit, Borys (16 July 2015). "Stephen King's 'It' Finds New Director (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  12. ^ Kit, Borys (2 July 2019). "'Flash' Shocker: 'It' Director Andy Muschietti in Talks to Tackle DC Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  13. ^ Chitwood, Adam (29 August 2019). "'It' Director Andy Muschietti Confirms 'The Flash' Is His Next Movie". Collider. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  14. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (16 April 2021). "Andy Muschietti & Barbara Muschietti Form Production Company Double Dream". Deadline. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  15. ^ Donnelly, Matt (22 February 2023). "'The Flash' to Screen for the First Time at CinemaCon 2023 (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  16. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (5 December 2022). "'The Flash' Moves Up A Week In June 2023; Warners Adds 'Mummies' To Next Year's Slate". Deadline. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  17. ^ Moreau, Jordan (9 March 2022). "'Aquaman 2,' 'Flash' Delayed to 2023; 'Shazam 2' Moves to Christmas 2022 in Warner Bros. Release Date Shuffle". Variety. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  18. ^ Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (7 June 2023). "Marketing 'The Flash': No Ezra Miller, But Lots of Batman and TV Spots". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  19. ^ Donnelly, Matt (15 June 2023). "New Batman Film 'Brave and the Bold' Lands 'The Flash' Director Andy Muschietti (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  20. ^ Couch, Aaron; McClintock, Pamela (15 June 2023). "'The Flash' Duo Andy and Barbara Muschietti Ink First-Look Deals with Warner Bros. Film, TV (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  21. ^ Kit, Borys (26 February 2013). "'Mama' Director to Helm Adaptation of 'Bird Box' (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  22. ^ "Eric Heisserer In Talks To Adapt 'Bird Box' For Universal". Deadline Hollywood. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  23. ^ The Phantom (10 January 2014). "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Close to Happening; Looking at New Directors!". Schmoes Know. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  24. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (4 June 2014). "'Huntsman 2' Helmer Short List: Frank Darabont, Gavin O'Connor, Andy Muschietti". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  25. ^ Kroll, Justin (4 September 2014). "Andrés Muschietti to Direct 'Shadow of the Colossus' Adaptation for Sony". Variety. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  26. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (4 February 2015). "Robotech Movie Back With Hollywood Gang, '300' Scribe Michael Gordon". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  27. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (12 March 2015). "Plan B Takes 'The Jaunt' With Stephen King And 'Mama' Helmer Andy Muschietti". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  28. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (5 September 2017). "Paramount Bites Into 'Dracul': 'It' Director Andy Muschietti In Mix". Deadline. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  29. ^ "Russo Brothers Win Sci-Fi Novel 'The Electric State' For 'It' Team Andy & Barbara Muschietti". Deadline Hollywood. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  30. ^ Kroll, Justin (18 December 2020). "Universal Lands AGBO's Adaptation Of 'The Electric State' With Millie Bobby Brown Starring, The Russo Brothers Directing And Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely Writing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  31. ^ McNary, Dave (29 October 2018). "Andy Muschietti to Direct 'Attack on Titan' for Warner Bros. (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  32. ^ Evangelista, Chris (12 August 2019). "Stephen King's 'Roadwork' Movie Now Under Construction, with 'It' Team Producing". /Film.
  33. ^ Goodman, J. J. (8 January 2020). "EXCLUSIVE: 'IT' Director Andrés Muschietti WILL helm 'The Howling' for Netflix". That Hashtag Show. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  34. ^ Terracota, Sofi (11 November 2023). "Andy Muschietti habría quedado fuera del proyecto live-action de Attack on Titan". Tomatazos (in Spanish).
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