Ten films that were written by iconic directors.
The foundation of any story lies in the plot and characters of the script, and there are instances where legendary Hollywood directors have crafted extraordinary screenplays without directing them. Before any casting, location scouting, or directing can take place, there needs to be a script.
While films can captivate through visuals, acting, and direction, a weak screenplay can hinder a story's connection with the audience. SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT Many of the most esteemed directors possess notable screenwriting skills, demonstrating a profound mastery of the foundational narrative they aim to convey. While many directors often get their breakthroughs by directing and writing their own pictures, there have been a few directors who actually got their big break from just writing alone. This was certainly the case for several of these Hollywood directors. 10 James Ivory - Call Me By Your Name James Ivory, an acclaimed American film director, is well-known for his long-time collaboration with Merchant Ivory Productions . This partnership resulted in the creation of 44 films, earning them an impressive six Academy Awards. Ivory was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for A Room with a View, Howard's End, and The Remains of the Day, but never won the award himself. However, in 2017 he won his first and only Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Call Me By Your Name. The film was directed by Italian Film director and producer Luca Guadagnino, who was originally supposed to co-direct with Ivory. Ivory recounts his time writing Call Me By Your Name in his memoir Solid Ivory , "I felt I could identify with them, and I felt I knew how they would think and act, having known the madness of first love myself." Throughout his career, Ivory has garnered a reputation for crafting compelling dramas with characters that delve into complex human emotions hidden beneath the facade of perfection. This characteristic of his artistic style is prominently shown in his screenplay, Call Me By Your Name. 9 Steven Spielberg - Poltergeist Renowned for his detailed storytelling, Steven Spielberg has directed cinematic movies like Jurassic Park, Jaws, Saving Private Ryan, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, while also writing numerous scripts. He established Amblin Entertainment with Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, which later distributed DreamWorks Animation. With an impressive 22 Oscar nominations to his name, Spielberg's mastery garnered him the Academy Awards of Best Picture and Best Director for Schindler's List and Best Director for Saving Private Ryan. Before winning his first Oscar, Spielberg wrote the 1982 supernatural horror classic, Poltergeist, along with Michael Grais and Mark Victor. The film, directed by Tobe Hooper, remains a revered work in the horror genre. While Spielberg maintained a presence on set, his focus shifted toward his next project, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. As Spielberg had a hand in the creation of the script, the movie took on a more family-friendly tone, while still weaving in its fair share of spine-chilling moments. 8 James Gunn - Dawn Of The Dead James Gunn, an accomplished American filmmaker and co-CEO of DC Studios, started his professional journey as a screenwriter for Troma Entertainment. This production company is renowned for its low-budget independent films, particularly within the horror-comedy genre. Gunn's reputation has been solidified through his remarkable superhero films, exemplified by his work on Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad. Gunn wrote the screenplay for the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead, a project directed by Zack Snyder. Throughout this film, Gunn's distinct style is apparent, characterized by his incorporation of dark humor into gory scenes, reminiscent of his later work with Suicide Squad. Dawn of the Dead also showed his ability to skillfully rework existing material into fresh captivating cinematic experiences, which served him well with his comic book adaptations. 7 Oliver Stone - Scarface Oliver Stone is an acclaimed director who has won four Academy Awards, one of which was for Best Adapted Screenplay for Midnight Express in 1978. Stone is renowned for his cinematic explorations on subjects like the Vietnam War, American politics, and crime dramas. Among his notable achievements, Stone wrote the screenplay for the crime drama Scarface, which was directed by Brian De Palma, and starred Al Pacino. Drawing from his own struggles with substance misuse, which hindered his creative output, Stone channeled his personal issues into the narrative . He harnessed his experiences as a source of inspiration and a means of retribution against his past addiction, which led him to create the iconic film, Scarface. 6 Chris Columbus - The Goonies Chris Columbus is an esteemed American filmmaker, who is known for his direction on beloved projects like Home Alone, Harry Potter, and Rent. He gravitates towards narratives that carry sentimental weight, often grounded in the dynamics of unconventional families or characters grappling with the loss of their loved ones. Columbus' films impart a sense of optimism to his audiences. This distinct style resonated through the 1985 film The Goonies, which was directed by Richard Donner. As the adventure unfolds, a group of misfit kids embark on a treasure hunt aimed at helping their families get out of debt and avoid eviction. The movie's charm lies in the journey shared with this spirited crew, ultimately making it a timeless classic. This achievement owes much to Columbus' heartwarming script, aligning with his talent for crafting narratives that touch the heart. 5 Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowsk - V For Vendetta The Wachowski sisters have been a writing and directing duo for most of their careers, achieving widespread recognition for many great movies like The Matrix. Their cinematic creations stand out for their captivating originality, introducing audiences to new worlds, with characters that are full of depth. This creativity is shown through their screenplay V for Vendetta. Set within a futuristic, dystopian British society, the narrative revolves around a shadowy figure's plots to overthrow the government. The film was directed by James McTeigue, who brought to life the Wachowski sister's script, delivering gripping action and intelligent dialogue that captivates and exhilarates audiences from start to finish. 4 Quentin Tarantino - True Romance Quentin Tarantino is a filmmaker renowned for his distinctive artistic approach, primarily recognized for his dual roles as a writer and director. His signature style sets him apart, as he writes his scripts in longhand, breaking traditional formatting. Tarantino also does not outline his plot twists, setups, or payoffs, granting his characters the agency to guide the narrative's progression organically. Tarantino has won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay twice for Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained. A year after his first film, Reservoir Dogs, came out, the romance/crime drama True Romance was released . This script encapsulated all the elements that define Tarantino's style, from razor-sharp dialogue to larger-than-life characters. Notably, he used the money from selling the True Romance screenplay to fund his first film Reservoir Dogs. 3 Francis Ford Coppola - Patton Emerging as a prominent figure within the New Hollywood movement, Francis Ford Coppola played a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of filmmaking. This transformative era elevated cinema beyond mere entertainment, focusing on societal issues of the time. Coppola's legacy is tied to his creation of The Godfather films, which refined the gangster genre of filmmaking. Coppola has won five Academy Awards, one of which was for his original screenplay, Patton. The epic biographical war film delves into the life of U.S. General George S. Patton during World War II, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. Impressively, Coppola wrote the award-winning film at the age of 24. The film starts with an extraordinary three-page speech, which is very rare for films. The quality of the opening scene, which breaks traditional screenwriting norms, is a testament to Coppola's skill. 2 Joss Whedon - Toy Story Joss Whedon founded Mutant Enemy Productions which produced shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and Dollhouse. Whedon's distinctive writing style shines through in his humanization of characters, particularly those who have superhuman or magical abilities. Regardless of the genre, his scripts are infused with sharp and witty humor that adds an extra layer of engagement. This can all be seen in his 1995 screenplay for Toy Story, which was directed by John Lasseter. In Joss Whedon: The Biography, film producer Amy Pascal noted, "The leads, Woody the cowboy and Buzz Lightyear the astronaut, were sarcastic and unlikeable." Whedon stepped in to make Buzz Lightyear and Woody more likable, infusing the characters with clever lines and distinctive traits. His nuanced enhancements enriched the characters, ensuring the heart of the film revolved around the endearing friendship between Woody and Buzz. Although not the director of Toy Story, Whedon's contribution to the screenplay played a pivotal role the in film's success. 1 David Ayer - The Fast & The Furious David Ayer is a filmmaker known for his crime-oriented movies, often taking place in Los Angeles and delving into themes of gang dynamics and police corruption. Some of his films include Sabotage, Fury, Street Kings, and Suicide Squad. Notably, Ayer played a crucial role in the inception of one of the highest-grossing and greatest film franchises in history . In an interview on Jon Bernthal's Real Ones podcast, Ayer said, "I can set it in L.A. and make it look like the people I know in L.A., right?' So then I started, like, writing in people of color, and writing in the street stuff, and writing in the culture, and no one knew s--- about street racing at the time" . Ayer's contributions helped shape a high-octane cinematic experience characterized by intricate stunts, a diverse ensemble cast, and a gripping storyline.
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