JOEL SILVER: PRODUCER
One of the most prolific and successful producers in the history of motion pictures, JOEL SILVER (Producer) has produced well over 40 films, including the groundbreaking Matrix trilogy, the blockbuster four-part Lethal Weapon series and the seminal action films Die Hard and Predator.
To date, Silver’s catalog of films have earned nearly $10 billion in worldwide revenue from all sources.
In addition to V For Vendetta, Silver is currently producing The Visiting, a sci-fi thriller starring Nicole Kidman and directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, and the supernatural thriller The Reaping, starring Hilary Swank, the next release from his Dark Castle Entertainment division.
Formed by Silver and Robert Zemeckis in the spirit of the late horror impresario William Castle, Dark Castle has produced a string of hit films beginning with the record-breaking release of House on Haunted Hill, which opened at number one on Halloween of 1999, followed by Thir13en Ghosts in 2001, Ghost Ship in 2002, Gothika in 2003 and House of Wax in 2005.
Silver’s 1999 production The Matrix grossed over $456 million globally, earning more than any other Warner Bros. Pictures film in the Studio’s history at the time of its release. To date, the Matrix franchise has grossed $3 billion from all sources worldwide.
Universally acclaimed for its innovative storytelling and visuals, The Matrix won four Academy Awards, including the award for Best Visual Effects. The first DVD release to sell one million units, The Matrix DVD was instrumental in powering the initial sale of consumer DVD machines.
The second installment of the epic Matrix trilogy, The Matrix Reloaded, earned over $739 million in worldwide box office, making it the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. The opening weekend box office receipts for The Matrix Revolutions, the final explosive chapter in the trilogy, totaled a staggering $203 million worldwide, scoring the biggest consecutive five-day opening in motion picture history.
While overseeing production on The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, Silver produced the integral video game Enter the Matrix, which features one hour of additional film footage written and directed by the Wachowski Brothers and starring Jada Pinkett Smith and Anthony Wong, who reprise their roles from the films. He also executive produced The Animatrix, a groundbreaking collection of nine short films inspired by the visionary action and innovative storytelling that power The Matrix.
Most recently, Silver produced the action/comedy/thriller Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, written and directed by Lethal Weapon screenwriter Shane Black and starring Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan.
He also produced the hit films Romeo Must Die, starring Jet Li and Aaliyah; Exit Wounds, starring Steven Seagal and DMX; and Swordfish, starring John Travolta, Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry.
While at Lawrence Gordon Productions, where he began his career and ultimately ascended to president of motion pictures, Silver associate produced The Warriors and, with Gordon, produced 48 HRS., Streets of Fire and Brewster’s Millions.
In 1985, Silver launched his Silver Pictures production banner with the breakout hit Commando, followed by Jumpin’ Jack Flash and Predator. In addition to the Lethal Weapon series, Die Hard and Die Hard 2: Die Harder, Silver went on to produce The Last Boy Scout, Demolition Man, Richie Rich and Conspiracy Theory.
A successful television producer as well, Silver executive produces the hit UPN television series Veronica Mars. Currently in its second season, the critically acclaimed crime drama stars Kristen Bell. Silver also executive produced, with Richard Donner, David Giler, Walter Hill and Robert Zemeckis, eight seasons of the award-winning HBO series Tales From the Crypt, as well as two Tales From the Crypt films.
As a student at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey in 1967, Silver and a group of his friends developed a game called Ultimate Frisbee. The fast-moving team sport has since become a global phenomenon supported by tournaments in 50 countries. In 2006, thousands of players representing over 40 countries will compete in the World Ultimate Club Championships in Perth, Australia.
<<BACK