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Gareth Edwards (filmmaker)

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Gareth Edwards
Edwards at the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con
Born (1975-07-13) 13 July 1975 (age 49)
Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • cinematographer
  • visual effects artist
Years active2002–present

Gareth James Edwards (born 13 July 1975) is a British filmmaker. His accolades include three British Independent Film Awards and nominations for the British Academy Film Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards.

Edwards first gained recognition for Monsters (2010), an independent film in which he served as writer, director, cinematographer, and visual effects artist. He subsequently directed the big-budget adventure film Godzilla (2014) and the science fiction films Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), The Creator (2023), and the upcoming Jurassic World Rebirth (2025).

Career

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Gareth Edwards was born on 13 July 1975 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. He is of Welsh parentage.[1] Edwards wanted to direct his own films since childhood, stating that "Star Wars is definitely the reason that I wanted to become a filmmaker".[2] He attended Higham Lane School, followed by college at North Warwickshire College of Technology and Art (now NWSLC), completing a BTEC National Diploma in Audio Visual Studies under lecturers such as Graham Bird. Edwards studied film and video at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College in Farnham, graduating in 1996.[citation needed] In 2012, he received an honorary Master of Arts from UCA. Edwards got his start in visual effects, creating digital effects for shows including Nova, Perfect Disaster and Heroes and Villains, for which he created 250 visual effects. In 2008 he entered the Sci-Fi-London 48-hour film challenge, for which a film had to be created start-to-finish in two days and within certain criteria. Edwards won the contest with his short film Factory Farmed and went on to write and direct Monsters, his first feature.[3][4] Edwards created the visual effects for Monsters using off-the-shelf equipment. Besides the two main actors, the crew consisted of just five people.[5]

Edwards at the Japan premiere for Rogue One in 2016

The success of Monsters brought sufficient awareness in Hollywood to land first major projects. After the film's release, he had interviews with several studios, including Legendary Pictures.[6] In January 2011,[7] Edwards got his first major feature deal, to direct the 2014 Godzilla reboot from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures.[8][9]

Edwards with his certificate naming him as a Freeman of the Borough for Nuneaton

Edwards directed Rogue One, the first Star Wars stand-alone film, written by Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy, based on a story by John Knoll and Gary Whitta, starring Felicity Jones, and released on 16 December 2016.[10][11]

Three of his influences for filmmaking are George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino.[12] In May 2016, Edwards exited Godzilla: King of the Monsters in an amicable split with the studio to work on smaller scale projects.[13]

In February 2020, it was reported that Edwards was set to direct and write a film with the working titled True Love for New Regency, with Rogue One co-producer Kiri Hart serving as producer for the project. The film has since been renamed and released in 2023 as The Creator.[14] The film stars John David Washington.[15] It marked his second collaboration with Rogue One cinematographer Greig Fraser and his first collaboration with composer Hans Zimmer.[16][17] It was released on 29 September 2023.[18]

On 29 January 2024 Edwards was named as an honorary Freeman of the borough in his hometown of Nuneaton by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council during a civic awards ceremony at the Town Hall.[19]

In February 2024, it was reported that Edwards was set to direct Jurassic World Rebirth for Universal Pictures scheduled for 2 July 2025.[20] Edwards replaced David Leitch, who had left the project over creative differences with the studio.[21]

Filmography

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Film

[edit]
Year Title Director Writer Notes
2010 Monsters Yes Yes Also director of photography, visual effects and production designer
2014 Godzilla Yes No
2016 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Yes No Cameo role: Rebel Soldier who uncouples the Tantive IV
2023 The Creator Yes Yes Also producer and camera operator[22]
2025 Jurassic World Rebirth Yes No Post-production[23]

Short film

Year Title Director Writer Notes
2008 Factory Farmed Yes Yes Also cinematographer and editor

Other credits

Year Title Role Notes
2007 In the Shadow of the Moon Digital rostrum Documentary film
2014 Monsters: Dark Continent Executive producer
2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi Cameo role: Resistance Trench Soldier

Television

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TV film

Year Title Director Writer
2005 End Day Yes Yes

Documentary series

Year Title Notes
2006 Perfect Disaster Episodes "Super Tornado" and "Solar Storm,"
Also visual effects supervisor
2008 Heroes and Villains Episode "Attila the Hun"

Other credits

Year Title Role Notes
2002–2003 Nova Animator Documentary series (2 episodes)
2003 Seven Wonders of the Industrial World Visual effects Documentary series (7 episodes)
2004 Dive to Bermuda Triangle Digital effects Documentary TV film
2005 Hiroshima Digital artist
Space Race Digital effects designer / Digital effects artist Documentary series (2 episodes)
UFO's: The Secret Evidence Visual effects supervisor Documentary TV film

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref
2006 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Special Visual Effects Perfect Disaster Nominated [24]
2010 6th Austin Film Critics Association Awards Best First Film Monsters Won [25]
13th British Independent Film Awards Best British Independent Film Nominated [26]
Douglas Hickox Award
Best Achievement In Production Won
Best Technical Achievement
Best Director
National Board of Review Top Ten Independent Films [27]
Sitges Film Festival Best Special Effects
SXSW Film Festival Audience Award Nominated
14th Toronto Film Critics Association Awards Best First Feature Runner-up [28]
2011 Evening Standard British Film Awards Breakthrough Filmmaker Won [29]
IGN Movie Awards Best Sci-Fi Movie Nominated
37th Saturn Awards Best International Film Won [30]
Best DVD Special Edition Nominated
64th British Academy Film Awards Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer
31st London Film Critics Circle Awards British Film of the Year [31]
Breakthrough British/Irish Filmmaker Won
16th Empire Awards Best British Film Nominated [32]
Best Newcomer
6th Scream Awards Best Science Fiction Movie [33]
Best Independent Movie Won
Trieste Science+Fiction Festival Asteroide Award
Russian National Movie Awards Georges Special Prize

References

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  1. ^ "Godzilla and Star Wars director Gareth Edwards". Wales Online. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  2. ^ Hopkins, Jessica (27 February 2011). "The film that changed my life: Gareth Edwards". The Observer. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  3. ^ Clarke, Cath (23 September 2010). "First sight: Gareth Edwards". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  4. ^ Davis, Laura (2 December 2010). "Interview with Gareth Edwards, the Director of 'Monsters'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 11 December 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  5. ^ Rose, Steve (27 November 2010). "Monsters: the bedroom blockbuster that's the anti-Avatar". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Godzilla: Meet The Director". YouTube. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  7. ^ "'Monsters' director to helm 'Godzilla'". 5 January 2011.
  8. ^ Kit, Borys (4 January 2011). "EXCLUSIVE: 'Monsters' Director Stomps to 'Godzilla'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  9. ^ Saperstein, Pat (6 May 2014). "60 Years of Godzilla: Highlights From Monster's 29-Film Career". Variety. Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  10. ^ Kit, Borys (22 May 2014). "'Star Wars' Spinoff Hires 'Godzilla' Director Gareth Edwards (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  11. ^ "Rogue One is the first Star Wars standalone film, Rian Johnson to write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII". Star Wars. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  12. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (1 May 2014). "Gareth Edwards Names His 3 Filmmaking Heroes Plus New 'Godzilla' Featurette Goes Behind The Scenes". Indie Wire. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  13. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (13 May 2016). "Director Gareth Edwards Exits 'Godzilla 2'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  14. ^ Kroll, Justin (6 February 2020). "'Rogue One' Director Gareth Edwards Sets Sci-Fi Film at New Regency (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  15. ^ Goffe, Nadira (6 May 2021). "John David Washington Cast In Rogue One Director's New Movie". Screen Rant. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  16. ^ "The Creator". X. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Hans Zimmer Scoring Gareth Edwards' 'The Creator' | Film Music Reporter". 18 July 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  18. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (14 June 2022). "Searchlight's See How They Run Gets Fall Release, New Regency Sci-Fi Pic True Love Sets 2023 Date". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  19. ^ Harrison, Claire (30 January 2024). "Gareth Edwards reveals Nuneaton's very special link to Oscar film The Creator". Coventry Live. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  20. ^ Kroll, Justin (20 February 2024). "'Jurassic World': Gareth Edwards Tapped To Direct New Movie For Universal And Amblin". Deadline. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  21. ^ Couch, Aaron (9 February 2024). "'Jurassic World' Loses Director David Leitch". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  22. ^ "The Creator DPS on Collaborating with Gareth Edwards & the Art of Camera Work". Screen Rant. 29 September 2023.
  23. ^ Freitag, Lee (13 June 2024). "Jurassic World 4 Begins Filming, First Plot Details Released". CBR. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  24. ^ "Gareth Edwards". Television Academy. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  25. ^ "2010 Awards". Austin Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  26. ^ "2010 British Independent Film Awards Winners and Nominees". BIFA. 24 October 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  27. ^ "Top Independent Films". National Board of Review of Motion Pictures. Archived from the original on 8 January 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  28. ^ Knegt, Peter (14 December 2010). "Social Network Tops San Francisco and Toronto Film Critics' Awards". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  29. ^ Montgomery, Steve (10 February 2011). "London Evening Standard Award Winners: Neds, Andrew Garfield, Kristin Scott Thomas". ALT Film Guide. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  30. ^ Reynolds, Simon (24 June 2011). "Saturn Awards 2011 – Movie Winners in full". Digital Spy. Nat Mags. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  31. ^ Cooper, Sarah (10 February 2011). "The Social Network triumphs at London Film Critics' Circle Awards". ScreenDaily.com (Emap Media). Retrieved 28 February 2011 (archived by WebCite on 11 February 2011).
  32. ^ Reynolds, Simon (27 March 2011). "In Full: Empire Awards 2011 Winners". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  33. ^ Ford, Rebecca (16 October 2011). "Scream Awards Winners: Harry Potter Takes Home Top Honor, Most Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
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