Dean_Israelite
Dean Israelite
South African film director
Dean Israelite (born September 20, 1984) is a South African film director, writer, and producer, best known for directing the found footage film Project Almanac, the 2017 reboot of Power Rangers, and the 2019 reboot of Are You Afraid of the Dark.
Dean Israelite | |
|---|---|
Israelite in 2016 | |
| Born | (1984-09-20) September 20, 1984 (age 39) Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, writer, producer |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Known for | Project Almanac Power Rangers |
| Relatives | Jonathan Liebesman (cousin) Jason Xenopoulos (cousin)[1] |
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Israelite was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, and studied Dramatic Art at the University of the Witwatersrand.[2] He moved to Australia and graduated in Film and Television from Curtin University, then earned his MFA from the American Film Institute.[2] His cousin is director Jonathan Liebesman.[3] He is of Jewish background.[4]
Israelite started his career with writing and directing several short films, including Acholiland.[2]
In 2015, Israelite made his feature film directing debut with the found footage science fiction thriller Project Almanac, based on the script by Jason Pagan and Andrew Deutschman.[5][6] Michael Bay produced the film, which was released on January 30, 2015 by Paramount Pictures, grossing more than $32 million with a budget of $12 million.[7] Israelite directed Lionsgate's Power Rangers film (2017), based on the screenplay by John Gatins, with a story by Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Michelle Mulroney and Kieran Mulroney,[8] which was released on March 24, 2017 by Lionsgate Films, grossing $142.3 million against a production budget of $100 million.[9] It was a box office failure, losing the studio an estimated $74 million, when factoring in all revenues and expenses.[10]
Future and cancelled projects
In February 2014, Israelite was among the directors who were being eyed by the Marvel Studios to direct the superhero film Doctor Strange,[11] but later in June 2014 Scott Derrickson was confirmed as director.[12]
In June 2014, Israelite was set to direct the remake of the 1983 film WarGames for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, based on the script by Arash Amel.[2]
Israelite is set to direct Unexplained Phenomenon from the screenplay by Andrew Deutschman & Jason Pagan, for Amblin Entertainment and The Picture Company.[13]
Short film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Magician | Yes | Yes |
| 2007 | The Department of Nothing | Yes | Yes |
| 2009 | Acholiland | Yes | Yes |
Feature film
- Project Almanac (2015)
- Power Rangers (2017)
- Little Wing (2024)
Television
| Year | Title | Director | Executive Producer |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Die Jugendcops - Kommissariat 105 im Einsatz | Yes | No | |
| 2020-2021 | The Astronauts | Yes | Yes | Directed 5 episodes |
| 2019-2022 | Are You Afraid of the Dark?' | Yes | Yes | Directed 7 episodes |
- IMDB Clint Warren Trivia, retrieved 1 May 2020.
- Fleming, Mike Jr. (24 June 2014). "MGM's 'WarGames' Reboot Lands Helmer Dean Israelite, Scribe Arash Amel". deadline.com. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- Thompson, Bill Desowitz,Anne. "Comic-Con 2014: 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' 3D Reboot vs. Low-Tech 'Project Almanac' | IndieWire". www.indiewire.com. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - "Power Rangers Movie Will Be "Mature but Still Playful," Says Director". ign.com. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- Kit, Borys (5 February 2014). "Paramount Postpones Michael Bay-Produced 'Welcome to Yesterday' (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- "Project Almanac (2015)". boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- "Power Rangers (2017)". boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- "Biggest Money Losers, Based on Absolute Loss on Worldwide Earnings". The Numbers. Nash Information Services. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- Kit, Borys (20 February 2014). "'Doctor Strange' Heating Up as Marvel Vets Directors (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- Siegel, Tatiana; Kit, Borys (3 June 2014). "Scott Derrickson to Direct Marvel's 'Doctor Strange'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- Crittenton, Anya (10 October 2017). "Amblin Acquires Supernatural Pitch "Unexplained Phenomenon" from "Paranormal Activity" Writing Duo". The Tracking Board. Retrieved 6 June 2019.