David R. Ellis To Direct Shark Night 3D: “Jaws For The 3D Generation?”
David R. Ellishas signed on to direct a film titledShark Night 3D, whichDeadlineclaims is aiming to be “Jaws for the 3D Generation”. you’re able to’t help but get flashbacks toJaws 3Dwith that statement. It always bothers me when Hollywood execs use Jaws as an example when they are clearly aiming to make a popcorn tentpole. The fact that “3D” is part of the film’s title ensures the movie will probably be moreDeep Blue SeathanJaws.
The screenplay is written byJesse StudenbergandWill Hayes, and the film’s animatronic sharks will be created byWalt Conti, the guy/shop responsible for the sharks inDeep Blue Sea, the supersized snake inAnacondaand the whales in theFree Willymovies. This will not be the first time Ellis has worked with sharks, as he was a second unit director on the late-1990’s giant shark horror/thrillerDeep Blue Sea. Ellis has experience shooting on 3D cameras with the lastFinal Destinationfilm, and has worked second unit on water shoots such asThe Perfect Storm.
Ellis began his Hollywood career as a stuntman, working on such movies asSmokey and the Bandit, Taps, Rocky III, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Beastmaster, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Scarface, Lethal Weapon, Fatal Attraction, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Days of Thunder, Misery, BaywatchandThe Adams Family.
In the early 1990’s, Ellis transitioned from Stunt Coordinator to Second Unit Director, working on films likePatriot Games, Forever Young, Clear and Present Danger, Waterworld, Sphere, The Perfect Storm, andHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
He made his directorial debut withHomeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco, and has since helmedFinal Destination 2, Cellular, Snakes on a Plane, and most recently,The Final Destination.
